What is Backblaze
Backblaze as a backup service
Backblaze is a cloud backup and cloud storage company based in California, with service centered on automatic online backup for computers and storage products for heavier data use. In practical terms, people usually sign up because they want files copied offsite without manually dragging folders every week.
For users in the Philippines, the service is available through the web and bills in US dollars, with local cost best understood in pesos. The plans listed publicly include Personal Backup at $99.00 (₱5,594) yearly and B2 Cloud Storage at $6.00 (₱339) per TB monthly (backblaze.com).
What people actually pay for
The core paid feature is automatic backup. Personal Backup is marketed as unlimited computer backup, while Business Backup adds multi user management and admin controls, both at $99.00 (₱5,594) per year (backblaze.com).
If you need storage for projects, archives, or app workloads, Backblaze also sells B2 Cloud Storage at $6.00 (₱339) per TB monthly and B2 Overdrive at $15.00 (₱848) per TB monthly. That means the product line covers both ordinary laptop backup and more technical cloud storage use cases.
How it works in the Philippines
Here is the thing: Backblaze does not offer clearly localized Philippine pricing, GCash support, or Maya billing in the verified sources. Support is mainly through the help center, chat, email at [email protected], and a US phone line at 650.352.3738 during Pacific Time business hours, which can be inconvenient from Manila because of the time difference (backblaze.com).
The billing model is auto renewal. Backblaze says it automatically bills your card each month, each year, or every two years unless the account is on ACH, and annual or two year plans get an email reminder before renewal (backblaze.com). That matters because many users only realize they are still subscribed when the next charge appears.
What to do before you start
Many users get frustrated because cancellation is tied to deleting backups, not just flipping off auto renewal. If you still need any saved files, download or restore them before doing anything else, because the cancellation flow requires removing the backup you want to stop (help.backblaze.com).
Take note of your next billing date and make screenshots of your current plan, the backup names listed in your account, and your latest payment receipt. This matters if a charge appears later, because Backblaze gives only 45 days from the charge date to dispute a billing issue with support (backblaze.com).
- Save any important files from your backup
- Screenshot your subscription page and plan name
- Check whether you have more than one backup or license
- Search your inbox for renewal notices and payment receipts
The exact web cancellation path
The verified cancellation method is through your Backblaze account on the web. Sign in, open the Preferences section, find the backup you want to remove, click Delete Backup next to the backup name, then enter your account password when prompted. You must repeat this for every backup and every license you want removed. Once all backups and licenses are deleted, the subscription is canceled (help.backblaze.com).
The truth is, Backblaze’s cancellation process is more complicated than it should be. There is no simpler support side cancellation according to the official help article, and Backblaze states that support representatives cannot cancel a subscription on your behalf (help.backblaze.com). If you miss one remaining backup or license, billing can continue.
- Go to your Backblaze account
- Open Preferences
- Locate each backup listed
- Click Delete Backup
- Enter your password
- Repeat until no backup or license remains
Can phone, chat, or email cancel it for you
You can contact support for guidance, billing questions, or disputes, but the official article says support cannot cancel the subscription for you. The available contact channels are the help page, chat through the Chat with Team button, email at [email protected], and phone at 650.352.3738 during Monday to Friday Pacific Time support hours (backblaze.com).
For users in the Philippines, chat or email is usually easier than calling because Pacific Time hours can fall late at night or early morning locally. If you write support, be specific and include your account email, charge date, amount, and screenshots, especially if your issue is not cancellation itself but a billing error within the 45 day dispute window (backblaze.com).
Using a written notice by post
Backblaze’s working cancellation route is online, but you can still send a written notice if you want an extra paper trail for a billing dispute. A registered letter is slower, usually around 5 to 10 business days for delivery and handling, but it can help if you later need to show what you sent and when.
If you do not want a physical trip to the post office, some users now use certified digital registered letter services such as Postclic, which provide timestamped proof of sending, receipt, and opening. Even so, for actual subscription cancellation, you should still complete the account side deletion steps because that is the method Backblaze documents (help.backblaze.com).
What changes after you cancel and what does not
Billing stops only after the account side cancellation is complete
Backblaze says that when you cancel the service, it will no longer bill you for the canceled account, except for past due amounts (backblaze.com). In plain language, billing stops after the cancellation is actually completed in your account, not when you merely decide to stop using the app.
If you do nothing, the subscription renews automatically each month, year, or every two years depending on your plan. Annual and two year plans get an email reminder before renewal, but monthly billing can continue without that extra buffer, so users on monthly plans should watch the exact statement date closely (backblaze.com).
Your account data and access after cancellation
Backblaze draws a line between canceling the service and deleting the whole account. The company says canceled account information remains accessible unless you delete the account, which means your email and account record may still exist in the system after billing stops (backblaze.com).
Once you delete the account itself, Backblaze says your account information is removed from its active system and you will no longer be able to access the account (backblaze.com). Heads up: if you want copies of invoices, backup names, or billing history, save them before deleting the account entirely.
Backblaze refund policy and charge dispute options in the Philippines
What the refund policy actually says
Backblaze is very clear on one point: monthly plans do not get refunds. If you cancel a monthly subscription, you will not receive a refund, and the company also says that if you signed up for a monthly subscription after a free trial, you may cancel at any time but no refund will be issued (backblaze.com).
There is also a narrower refund rule for unused extension time. Backblaze says refunds are only provided for 30 days after the initial purchase of the extension, which is much more limited than a broad prorated refund promise (help.backblaze.com). So if you expected a refund for leftover annual time, do not assume it is automatic.
How to ask for a refund or billing review
If you believe the charge is wrong, contact Backblaze support quickly because the company gives a 45 day dispute window from the charge date (backblaze.com). In your message, include the account email, charge date, exact amount, last four digits of the card if relevant, and screenshots showing that you canceled.
Use the help center, chat, or email at [email protected]. A short and factual message works best. State the date you canceled, the date you were charged, and the result you want, such as reversal of an unwanted renewal or confirmation that future billing has stopped.
Your rights in the Philippines if a charge continues
In the Philippines, online subscription complaints can fall under the Consumer Act of the Philippines or Republic Act No. 7394, with the Department of Trade and Industry handling consumer complaints. There is no universal statutory cooling off period for all online subscriptions, but door to door or direct sales have a seven working day cooling off rule, which is not a clear match for a normal web signup like Backblaze.
If you face an unauthorized or continued charge after cancellation, you can ask your bank, credit card issuer, GCash, or Maya for a chargeback, and BSP rules typically give cardholders up to 60 days from the statement date to dispute a transaction. Save screenshots of your cancellation confirmation, support emails, and statements because those are the documents most likely to help.
Backblaze terms that affect cancellation and renewal
Auto renewal and free trial conversion
Backblaze’s terms say the company automatically bills your credit card each month, year, or every two years unless you are set up with ACH, and billing is based on the plan you selected (backblaze.com). For annual and two year plans, Backblaze says it sends a renewal reminder email ahead of time.
The free trial language also matters. Backblaze says the trial is meant to let you experience the service and that monthly subscribers may cancel at any time, but monthly refunds are not available (backblaze.com). In real use, that means trying the service does not guarantee money back once a monthly paid cycle has started.
Commitment, cancellation fee, and data retention
No early termination fee was found in the available terms, and no separate cancellation fee was found either. That is the good news. The less convenient part is the cancellation design itself, because you must delete backups and licenses to stop the subscription through the documented method (help.backblaze.com).
Backblaze also says canceled account information stays accessible unless you delete the account, and a deleted account is removed from the active system with access ending afterward (backblaze.com). If you want to preserve billing proof, export or screenshot it before account deletion.
Backblaze plans and pricing in Philippine pesos
Current recurring plans
Plan | Price (USD / PHP) | Billing period | Main use |
Personal Backup | $99.00 (₱5,594)* | Annual | Unlimited computer backup |
Business Backup | $99.00 (₱5,594)* | Annual | Admin and multi user |
B2 Cloud Storage | $6.00 (₱339)* | Monthly per TB | Flexible cloud storage |
B2 Overdrive | $15.00 (₱848)* | Monthly per TB | High throughput storage |
Prices are approximate, converted from USD at 1 USD ≈ 56.5 PHP. Actual local charges can differ because of exchange rates and taxes, so confirm the latest amount on the official Backblaze pricing page.
Which plans cost more and when they make sense
The least expensive recurring option in the verified list is B2 Cloud Storage at $6.00 (₱339) per TB monthly, while B2 Overdrive costs $15.00 (₱848) per TB monthly. Personal Backup and Business Backup both sit at $99.00 (₱5,594) annually, which can look affordable if you need unlimited computer backup rather than per TB storage (backblaze.com).
For ordinary users, the practical question is whether you need unlimited backup or just synced cloud space. If you only want a few folders online, alternatives like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox may be easier to cancel and easier to understand, even if Backblaze can offer stronger value for full computer backup.
Consumer rights in the Philippines for online subscriptions like this
Laws and agencies you can use
For Philippine users, the main consumer protection law is the Consumer Act of the Philippines or Republic Act No. 7394. For problems with online subscriptions, the Department of Trade and Industry is the practical government contact for complaints, while payment disputes on cards and e wallets can also involve the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas if the issue is an unauthorized or continued charge.
Backblaze’s own policy gives 45 days from the charge date to dispute a billing issue with the company (backblaze.com). Your bank or card issuer may allow around 60 days from the statement date under BSP related card dispute practice, so do not wait for weeks if you already have proof that cancellation was completed.
Cooling off, withdrawal, and what applies here
The Philippine seven working day cooling off rule is commonly tied to door to door or direct sales. For a normal online signup like Backblaze, the available local guidance does not create a universal cooling off period for every digital subscription, so your case will usually depend more on the company’s refund policy, the facts of the charge, and proof of cancellation.
That means a Philippine user canceling Backblaze should focus on evidence. Save the date you deleted the backup, any confirmation screen, your invoice, and your card statement. If Backblaze denies a refund on a monthly plan, that matches its published policy. If it charges again after proper cancellation, that is a stronger complaint point.
How to file a complaint
If support does not resolve the issue, file a complaint with DTI and attach screenshots, charge details, account email, and any support ticket number. If the issue is a card, GCash, or Maya charge that continued after cancellation, also contact the payment provider and ask for a dispute or chargeback using the same evidence pack.
The most effective approach is to build one clean file with dates. Include the billing date, the cancellation date, the amount charged in pesos as shown by your bank, and the exact screen where you deleted the backup. A messy complaint usually takes longer because the reviewer has to reconstruct the timeline themselves.
What customers say about canceling
Overall verdict from available reviews
Based on the review set provided, cancellation looks difficult rather than easy. The sentiment trend is 0 positive and 4 negative out of 4 unique reviews, with repeated complaints about having to delete backups to stop renewal, poor support response, and confusion around losing remaining paid time.
For users in the Philippines, two local friction points can make this worse: limited local support options and possible language barriers during support exchanges. Even without a confirmed dark pattern in the research, the process still feels cumbersome because support cannot cancel for you and the key action is buried in account preferences.
Recurring themes and source summary
Theme | Frequency | Typical example |
Hard cancellation flow | 4 reviews | Delete backup to stop billing |
Poor support | 3 reviews | Slow or unhelpful replies |
No prorated refund | 2 reviews | Lose remaining paid time |
Source | Rating | Main topic | Sentiment |
TrustPilot | 1/5 | Ease of cancellation | Negative |
TrustPilot | 1/5 | Account removal | Negative |
TrustPilot | 2/5 | Auto renewal control | Negative |
TrustPilot | 1/5 | Customer service | Negative |
Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
TrustPilot | Mixed low | 4 |
- "I tried to cancel. Their cancellation process is horrendous... To cancel, you have to delete all your data on their site" (TrustPilot)
- "Impossible to remove account... bad customer service" (TrustPilot)
- "They do not offer a way to cancel an automatic renewal... you have to delete your whole backup before the end of your period" (TrustPilot)
- "The only way to prevent future billings is to fully cancel your account, including deleting all information and backups" (TrustPilot)
No positive cancellation reviews were provided in the data. To stay balanced, Backblaze still has strengths outside cancellation, especially simple backup setup and clear published pricing for its core plans, but the offboarding experience is where user frustration shows up most clearly.
Documents and screenshots to prepare
Before cancellation
Prepare a small evidence folder before you click anything. Save a screenshot of the account page that shows your active backup or license, note your next billing date, and download any files you may still need from the backup.
If you manage more than one device, make a list of each backup name shown in Preferences. This avoids the common mistake of deleting one backup but leaving another license active, which can lead to continued billing.
For refund or billing disputes
Collect the transaction date, the amount charged, the card or wallet used, and the confirmation that you deleted the backup. Backblaze gives 45 days from the charge date to raise a billing dispute with support, so put that deadline in your calendar (backblaze.com).
For a bank dispute in the Philippines, add your monthly statement, the support ticket email, and screenshots showing the cancellation date. If the charge went through GCash, Maya, or a credit card, these records make your chargeback request much stronger.
Mistakes that usually cause more hassle
Common slip ups and how to avoid them
A very common mistake is assuming uninstalling the app cancels billing. It does not. The documented route is account based deletion in Preferences, and Backblaze says support cannot cancel it for you either (help.backblaze.com).
Another mistake is expecting a prorated refund on a monthly plan. Backblaze says monthly plans are non refundable, so canceling after the charge posts usually stops future billing but does not bring back that month’s payment (backblaze.com).
- Deleting the app but not deleting the backup in your account
- Canceling one backup while another license remains active
- Waiting too long to dispute a wrong charge beyond 45 days
- Deleting the whole account before saving invoices and proof
- Assuming support can press cancel for you
Real world scenarios
One review complained that the user had to delete backups and lost remaining paid time. That matches the practical risk here: if you cancel long before renewal, you may stop the next bill, but you may also give up access you already paid for, depending on how you manage the account. Plan the timing carefully if you are near the end of a yearly term.
Another review described an impossible loop when trying to remove the account. In that kind of situation, take screenshots at every step, use chat or email immediately, and state that you are trying to stop renewal and need the issue logged before the next billing date. A dated support record can help later if a dispute becomes necessary.
Quick comparison of cancellation methods
Method table
Method | Notice period | Fee | Difficulty |
Web account | Before next billing | No cancellation fee | Easy if all backups removed |
Email support | Before next billing | No cancellation fee | Medium for billing help |
Registered mail | 5 to 10 business days | No cancellation fee | Higher but best proof |
How to choose based on your situation
If your account works normally, the web route is the one Backblaze officially documents and the one that actually ends the subscription. If your issue is a wrong charge, email or chat can help create a support trail while you also gather evidence for a possible bank dispute.
Registered mail is mainly useful when you want extra documentation, not because it is faster. For most Philippine users, the practical combo is web cancellation plus saved screenshots plus an email to support if anything in the process looks broken.
After canceling: how to verify everything really stopped
Immediate checks in the first 24 hours
Right after cancellation, take a screenshot showing that the backup or license is no longer listed the way it was before. Search your inbox for any confirmation or support reply, and save it in the same folder as your billing screenshots.
Set a reminder for two dates: your expected next billing date and the day your card statement closes. If a new charge appears after cancellation, act fast because Backblaze gives 45 days to dispute a charge with the company, and banks in the Philippines often allow around 60 days from the statement date for a card dispute.
Monitor your payment method and consider alternatives
Check the same payment channel you used for the subscription, whether that is a credit card, GCash linked card, Maya card, or another bank card. If an unauthorized or continued charge appears, contact the bank or wallet provider and ask for a chargeback, then file a consumer complaint with DTI if needed under RA 7394.
If you are replacing Backblaze, Google Drive offers 15 GB free with paid plans from $2.99 (₱169) monthly, Microsoft OneDrive starts at $1.99 (₱112) monthly for 100 GB, and Dropbox starts at $11.99 (₱677) monthly for 2 TB. These are not identical to unlimited backup, but they are familiar options for users who mainly need cloud file storage.
Useful links
Backblaze mailing address and when to use it
Physical address
If you want to send a written cancellation or dispute notice, use this mailing address:
- Backblaze, Inc., 2261 Market Street STE 81006, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA
This is useful for records, especially when you want dated proof that you sent a dispute notice. Still, the actual subscription cancellation method Backblaze documents is online through your account Preferences page.
When the address matters and when it does not
For most users, mailing a letter is not the fastest way to stop billing. The account based deletion flow is the practical step that matters most, and mail is better treated as backup documentation if support is unresponsive or a dispute is escalating.
If you do send a letter from the Philippines, include your account email, backup name, charge date, and a sentence stating that you have already completed or attempted the online cancellation. That gives you a cleaner paper trail if the case later reaches your bank or DTI.