Before Fixing Anything: What the ShortMax App Actually Is

ShortMax works as a vertical short-drama streaming service, and account issues get simpler to handle once you understand who runs it. Over on the App Store the seller is SHORTTV LIMITED, a company with its registration in Hong Kong, and Google Play lists the same legal entity under the developer name SHORTMAX LIMITED. The app’s launch came in September 2023, when it showed up on Google Play on September 3 and on the App Store on September 11 of the same year. Over 50,000 dramas in 19 languages is what its store listing claims, the company’s own figure rather than free vertical dramas an independently verified count. With over 100 million installs listed for just the Android version, you are far from alone if you have a billing question. Hong Kong law is the law that governs ShortMax’s terms of service. Whether users type “shortmax”, “short max” or “shortmax app”, all three searches lead to the same product this guide covers.

Can’t Log In to ShortMax?

Most of the time, shortmax login trouble starts when you sign in through another method than the one you used the first time. Per ShortMax’s terms, you can log in with Facebook, Google or Apple, or with an email address or phone number already linked to your ShortMax account. If you later tap a different button, you could land in a separate, blank account, which is why a purchase can look like it has vanished. As the safest habit, choose one sign-in method and use it on every device. Whether ShortMax has a guest mode is still unconfirmed, so you should not depend on one to keep your coins or your pass safe. Before concluding your coins are gone, eliminate that simple mix-up with the steps below.

1. Go back to the sign-in button you used for your first payment.
2. Check for your purchases as you try the other methods one at a time.
3. For email or phone login, use the address or number you tied to the account.
4. Update the app and reboot your phone.
5. If nothing works, contact support with your UID and receipt, as described below.

The ShortMax Subscription Explained

Weekly Pass Pro is what is called the main shortmax subscription in the US App Store. At the time of writing in September 2026 it is listed at about $19.99 a week, with a lower tier at about $9.99 a week, while one-time purchases range from about $3.49 to $24.99. Since pricing differs by country, platform and promotion, those figures should be treated as a rough reference. It was not possible to confirm monthly and yearly plans, since the US store lists only weekly passes. Per the terms, a subscription is renewed automatically 24 hours before expiry, at the same price. Cancelling on the final day might already be too late, which is why this timing trips people up. Beyond the pass, episodes are unlocked with coins, and App Store reviewers report that some cost up to 60 coins with little information about cost up front. Rather than assuming every episode costs the same, check the price on the unlock screen each time.

Billed After the Trial?

Across this category, a common complaint is an unexpected charge after what felt like a free period. The “free trial” and “24 hours free” wording confused people, which ShortMax’s own replies on Google Play admit. As both Apple and Google point out in their help pages, deleting the app does not stop billing. In real life, a weekly pass started from an offer continues to renew until you cancel it. Begin by finding out who actually charged you, since that determines where you cancel and where you request money back. Collect the evidence before anything else: a clear timeline will make every later step faster.

1. Check your inbox for an Apple or Google Play receipt.
2. If one turns up, cancel and request refunds through that store.
3. If you find none, take a screenshot of the merchant name on your card statement.
4. Use the steps below to cancel the renewal immediately.
5. After that, go through the matching route to request a refund.

How to Cancel a ShortMax Subscription on iPhone

If you signed up via the App Store, Apple handles the billing, so the cancel control is found in your iPhone settings. The ShortMax terms also mention an “About Subscription” option inside the app, but Apple’s settings are the most dependable place to stop an App Store renewal. As Apple makes clear, deleting the app from your home screen cancels nothing. The pass renews 24 hours before it expires, so try to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. A screenshot of the confirmation screen leaves you with proof of the date, so take one. Expect to spend under a minute on the whole process.

1. Tap your name at the top once you open Settings.
2. Select Subscriptions.
3. Select ShortMax from the list.
4. Tap Cancel, then confirm.
5. If ShortMax does not appear, you may have paid under another Apple ID or on Android.

Stopping ShortMax on Android

On Android, a pass bought through Google Play is controlled from the Play Store rather than from ShortMax itself. Deleting an app does not cancel its subscription, and Google’s help page is clear on that point. The in-app “About Subscription” option listed in ShortMax’s terms is another route, but Google Play is where store-billed renewals are reliably stopped. Unless you are in the same Google account that paid, the subscription may not show up in the list, so confirm this. A purchase made anywhere other than Google Play will not show there, so support becomes your route. Store a screenshot alongside your receipt, taken once it shows as cancelled.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your account menu and choose Subscriptions.
3. Choose ShortMax.
4. Tap Cancel, then complete the prompts.

Getting a Refund: The ShortMax Terms on Refunds

ShortMax’s terms of service take a firm line on refunds. Refunds, in the company’s words, are “not entertained unless the paid product/service is unusable for the reason of ShortMax”. Taken literally, this wording leaves little room for a refund simply because you forgot to cancel. That said, Apple and Google have their own refund processes covering store purchases, which run separately from the app’s terms. Apple’s Report a Problem page is the place to request a refund for an iPhone purchase, and Apple usually replies within 24 to 48 hours. According to Google, on Android you may be able to get a refund directly from Google Play within 48 hours of purchase. Contacting ShortMax customer service is what remains after that window, since Google points you to the developer. Explain what happened briefly and attach your receipt, since no refund is guaranteed.

Getting in Touch With ShortMax Customer Service

Email is the main channel to reach ShortMax customer service. The service email to use is the one listed in ShortMax’s terms of service, which are published on the official ShortMax website. Be careful with addresses posted on question-and-answer sites, since at least one circulating address uses a misspelled domain and could not be verified. In its replies to Google Play reviews, the developer asks users to add their UID, the account ID that lets staff find you. For cancellation issues, the same replies suggest the subject line “Cancel Subscription – Urgent”. When replies are slow and the charge came through a store, following the Apple or Google refund route at the same time is an option. Include the items below, because a complete first message saves time.

1. Your UID and the sign-in method you use.
2. The date, amount and store of the charge, with a receipt screenshot.
3. Whether you have already cancelled, along with a screenshot of the cancellation screen.
4. One specific request: cancel, refund, restore coins or fix a login.

Which Place Handles Each ShortMax Task

Fixing a problem in the wrong place is behind much of the frustration. The app manages your account, coins and viewing, while the stores handle the money for store purchases. Whatever the app and the stores cannot settle on their own falls to email support. The table below serves as a quick guide to use before you start tapping through menus. This table reflects the terms and store help pages as of September 2026, but menus can change with updates. Cancel first, ask questions second when in doubt.