Ending your Tidal membership made easy

About Tidal

Tidal is a premium music streaming service that's carved out a unique position in the UK market by focusing on high-fidelity audio quality and exclusive content. Launched in 2014 and later acquired by Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) in 2021, Tidal has built its reputation on delivering lossless audio formats that appeal to audiophiles and music enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on sound quality.

What sets Tidal apart from competitors like Spotify and Apple Music is its commitment to HiFi and Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) streaming. The platform offers over 110 million tracks, including exclusive releases, live performances, and behind-the-scenes content that you won't find elsewhere. Additionally, Tidal has positioned itself as an artist-friendly platform, claiming to pay higher royalties to musicians compared to other streaming services.

The service operates across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, smart speakers, and various streaming devices. You can create playlists, discover new music through curated recommendations, and access music videos alongside audio tracks. Tidal also offers offline listening capabilities, allowing subscribers to download tracks for playback without an internet connection.

Most importantly for UK subscribers, Tidal operates under UK consumer protection laws, which means you have specific rights when it comes to cancelling your subscription. Understanding these rights becomes crucial when you decide to terminate your membership, particularly if you're experiencing billing issues or simply want to switch to a different service.

Plans, features and pricing

Tidal's pricing structure has evolved significantly over the years. As of 2024, the service has streamlined its offerings to make high-quality audio more accessible to a broader audience. Here's what you need to know about the current plans available to UK subscribers.

First, it's worth noting that Tidal eliminated its lower-tier plan and now includes HiFi quality as standard across all subscriptions. This means every subscriber gets access to lossless audio formats, which was previously a premium feature. The Individual plan suits solo listeners who want high-quality streaming on their personal devices.

Next, the Family plan offers exceptional value if you're sharing with household members or family living at the same address. Each person gets their own account with personalised recommendations, playlists, and listening history. Keep in mind that Tidal may verify that all family members reside at the same address, so this isn't meant for sharing with friends across different locations.

Additionally, the Student plan provides a substantial discount for those enrolled in eligible educational institutions. You'll need to verify your student status through a third-party verification service, and this verification typically needs renewal every 12 months. I've seen many subscribers forget about this renewal requirement and suddenly find themselves charged at the full Individual rate.

The platform also offers a free trial period for new subscribers, typically lasting 30 days. This trial gives you full access to all features, but here's an insider tip: make a note of when your trial ends. Many people forget to cancel before the trial period expires and end up being charged for a month they didn't intend to use.

Features across all plans

Regardless of which plan you choose, you'll get access to Tidal's complete catalogue of over 110 million tracks. The platform supports various audio formats, including FLAC for lossless streaming, which delivers CD-quality sound at 1411 kbps. For those with compatible equipment, Tidal also offers MQA files that can deliver studio-quality audio.

All plans include unlimited skips, offline downloads, and ad-free listening. You can create unlimited playlists, access curated playlists from music experts, and explore Tidal's editorial content, including artist interviews and exclusive videos. The service also integrates with various third-party applications and devices, from DJ software to high-end audio equipment.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Understanding Tidal's terms of service is absolutely crucial before you initiate a cancellation. I've processed thousands of subscription terminations, and the most common mistakes happen because people don't read the fine print. Let me walk you through what you need to know.

First and foremost, Tidal operates on a monthly billing cycle that renews automatically unless you actively cancel. Your subscription continues until the end of your current billing period, even after you've submitted a cancellation request. This is actually beneficial because it means you can use the service right up until the date you've paid for.

Notice periods and billing cycles

Under UK consumer law, specifically the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have specific rights when cancelling subscription services. Tidal must honour cancellation requests, and you're entitled to a refund if you cancel within 14 days of initially subscribing, provided you haven't extensively used the service.

Most importantly, Tidal requires that you cancel before your next billing date to avoid being charged for another month. Here's where many subscribers make a critical error: they assume that sending a cancellation letter on the 29th of the month will prevent a charge on the 1st. In reality, you need to allow sufficient time for your letter to arrive, be processed, and for the cancellation to be implemented in their system.

Refund policy and pro-rated charges

Here's something that catches many people off guard: Tidal does not typically offer pro-rated refunds for partial months. If you cancel halfway through your billing cycle, you won't receive a refund for the unused portion. However, you will retain access to the service until the end of that billing period.

The exception to this rule is if you're within the 14-day cooling-off period for new subscriptions. During this window, UK consumer law gives you the right to cancel and receive a full refund, though Tidal may deduct a proportionate amount for any service you've actually used.

Additionally, if you've been charged incorrectly or experienced unauthorised billing, you have the right to dispute these charges. Keep in mind that your bank or card provider may also offer chargeback protection, which can be useful if Tidal fails to honour a legitimate cancellation request.

Common reasons subscribers cancel

From my experience processing cancellations, people leave Tidal for various reasons. Some find that the audio quality differences aren't noticeable with their current equipment, making the premium price harder to justify. Others switch to competitors offering better value or more features they actually use.

Financial considerations drive many cancellations, especially when subscribers realise they're not using the service enough to warrant the monthly cost. I've also seen cases where technical issues, limited device compatibility, or catalogue gaps in specific genres prompt people to cancel. Whatever your reason, you're entitled to cancel at any time without penalty beyond the current billing period.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Now let's get to the practical matter of actually cancelling your Tidal subscription by post. This method is, in my professional opinion, the most reliable way to terminate your membership, and I'm going to explain exactly why and how to do it properly.

Why postal cancellation is your best option

First, let me address why I recommend the postal method over other approaches. When you cancel by post using Recorded Delivery, you create an indisputable paper trail that proves you submitted your cancellation request. This documentation becomes invaluable if there's any dispute about whether or when you cancelled.

I've seen countless cases where subscribers claim they cancelled online, only to continue being charged because the digital cancellation didn't process correctly or there's no record of it in the company's system. With postal cancellation, you have physical proof: your Recorded Delivery receipt shows exactly when you sent the letter, and the Royal Mail tracking system confirms when it was delivered.

Additionally, a formal written cancellation creates a professional record that companies must take seriously. Under UK law, written cancellation requests carry significant weight, and companies face legal consequences if they ignore them. This method also gives you time to clearly state your intentions, include all necessary information, and keep copies for your records.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Before you write your letter, gather all the essential information you'll need to include. Have your account details ready, including your full name as it appears on the account, your email address associated with the subscription, and your customer or account number if you have one. You'll also need to know your current billing date.

Your cancellation letter should be clear, concise, and professional. Start with your full contact details at the top, followed by the date. Next, address the letter to \