How to Cancel Your Boston Globe Subscription Without the Phone Maze (2026)
Updated February 2026 • 5 min read
📞 Phone required for most subscribers. Call 1-888-694-5623. Be prepared for 2-3 retention offers before they process the cancellation.
The Boston Globe (owned by John Henry, who also owns the Red Sox) is one of America's most respected newspapers. But their cancellation process is firmly stuck in the phone-call era. That $1/month intro deal has a way of turning into $15+/month before you notice — here is how to get out.
The Pricing Trap
Boston Globe aggressively markets intro pricing:
Digital only: $1/month for 6 months → then $15/month
Print + Digital: Various intro rates → then $30-50/month
Apple News+: Included with the $12.99/month Apple bundle
If you subscribed for that $1/month deal and forgot to cancel before renewal, you are now paying 15x more. Set a calendar reminder next time.
How to Cancel: Step by Step
Method 1: Phone (Required for Most)
Call 1-888-694-5623
Hours: Monday-Friday 6am-5pm ET, Saturday 7:30am-12pm ET
Navigate the automated menu — say "cancel subscription"
A retention specialist will offer discounts (typically $4-8/month reduced rate)
If you want to cancel, be firm: "I appreciate the offer but I need to cancel today"
They may offer a second, even lower rate — decline again if you are done
Ask for a confirmation email and the effective date
⚠️ Expect 2-3 retention offers. The first offer is never their best. If you are on the fence about keeping the subscription, the third offer is usually the cheapest rate available.
Look for subscription management or cancellation options
Note: Many subscribers report being redirected to call the phone number anyway
Method 3: If You Subscribed Through Apple
If you access the Globe through Apple News+, cancel through Apple:
iPhone/iPad: Settings → tap your name → Subscriptions → Apple News+ → Cancel
Mac: App Store → Account → Subscriptions → Apple News+ → Cancel
This cancels Apple News+ entirely (which includes the Globe, Wall Street Journal, and hundreds of other publications). You cannot cancel just the Globe portion.
Retention Offers You Might Get
Boston Globe retention is aggressive but predictable:
First offer: 50% off for 3-6 months (~$7-8/month)
Second offer: $4-5/month for 6 months
Third offer: Sometimes as low as $1/month for 3 months (basically restarting the intro deal)
Free months: Occasionally offer 1-2 free months to "think about it"
If you genuinely want the Globe but not at full price, the retention call is actually your best tool. Call every 6-12 months to get a new retention deal.
Free Alternatives for Boston News
WBUR (wbur.org): Boston NPR station, free news coverage with no paywall
GBH News (gbh.org): Local public media, free
Boston.com: Owned by the Globe but free (less in-depth, more ads)
MassLive: Free statewide news coverage
Your local library card: Many Massachusetts libraries offer free digital Globe access through PressReader or Libby
💡 Library hack: Most Massachusetts public libraries offer free access to Boston Globe digital through PressReader. Check your library's website — you get the same content at zero cost.
After Canceling
Digital access continues through the end of your current billing period
Print delivery stops within a few days of cancellation
You may still receive marketing emails — unsubscribe separately
Check your credit card statement next month to confirm charges stopped
If they keep charging, dispute with your card issuer and reference the cancellation date
Quick Reference
Cancel phone: 1-888-694-5623
Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-5pm ET, Sat 7:30am-12pm ET
Online: manage.bostonglobe.com (limited)
Apple subscribers: Cancel through Settings → Subscriptions
Difficulty: Hard (phone required, 2-3 retention offers)
💡 How many news subscriptions are you paying for?Upload your bank statement to JustCancel — we will find every subscription including newspapers, streaming, and apps you may have forgotten about.