How to Cancel Your
The Guardian
Supporting independent journalism is noble, but sometimes the wallet says otherwise. Here is how to cancel your Guardian supporter subscription in about 3 minutes -- and the good news is, you can still read everything for free.
Quick Overview
Monthly Cost
$13.00/mo
Difficulty
EasyTime
~3 minutes
Refund
Contact support
Cancel The Guardian via Website
Sign in to your Guardian account
Go to theguardian.com and sign in with your account. If you forgot which email you used, check your inbox for past Guardian receipts to jog your memory.
Go to the Manage Subscription portal
Navigate to manage.theguardian.com/subscriptions. This is the dedicated management portal where you can view and modify your subscription or contribution details.
Click on your subscription
You will see your active subscription or recurring contribution listed. Click on it to view the details and management options.
Select Cancel Subscription
Click Cancel Subscription (or Cancel contribution if you set up a recurring donation). Confirm your decision when prompted. The Guardian will thank you for your past support -- because they are genuinely nice like that.
Good news: The Guardian's content is free to read regardless of your subscription status. Your contribution supports their independent journalism model, but canceling does not lock you out of any articles. You might just see more "please support us" banners.
What Happens After You Cancel The Guardian?
All articles remain free to read
Unlike most news outlets, The Guardian does not put articles behind a paywall. You can continue reading everything for free after canceling your supporter subscription.
You will see more support prompts
Without an active subscription, you will start seeing those "Support the Guardian" banners at the bottom of articles again. It is their way of gently reminding you how much they value your contribution.
Subscriber-only app features may end
Digital subscribers may lose access to premium app features like an ad-free experience and offline reading. The basic Guardian app experience remains available to all.
Alternatives to The Guardian
Looking for quality journalism without the monthly cost? These might fit:
BBC News
Free global news coverage from the UK's public broadcaster. No paywall, no subscription required.
Free world newsReuters
Free access to wire service reporting from around the globe. Factual, unbiased reporting.
Free wire serviceThe Atlantic
$9.99/mo for premium longform journalism, essays, and in-depth analysis on politics, culture, and ideas.
Longform journalismFrequently Asked Questions
Can I still read The Guardian for free after canceling?
Yes, absolutely. The Guardian operates on a reader-supported model, not a paywall model. All articles remain free to read. Your subscription simply supports their journalism financially.
What is the difference between a contribution and a subscription?
A contribution is a recurring donation to support The Guardian's journalism. A digital subscription may include additional perks like an ad-free app experience. Both are managed through the same portal at manage.theguardian.com.
Can I reduce my contribution instead of canceling?
Yes. Through the manage portal, you may be able to adjust the amount of your recurring contribution. This can be a good middle ground if you want to keep supporting them at a lower level.
Will I get a refund?
Refund policies vary depending on your subscription type. For most contributions, the Guardian does not offer refunds as they are considered voluntary support. For digital subscriptions, contact their support team to discuss refund options.
How do I cancel if I subscribed through the app?
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you will need to cancel through your device's subscription settings, not through The Guardian's website. Go to your phone's settings and manage subscriptions from there.
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