What You Get With a Seattle Times Subscription
A Seattle Times subscription gives you access to news, sports, and opinion coverage on their website and through their mobile app. The subscription removes the paywall that limits how many articles you can read each month for free. You can choose between a digital-only subscription (website and app) or a print-plus-digital bundle that includes home delivery of the newspaper.
The digital subscription works across devices — you log in once with your email and password, and you can read on your phone, tablet, or computer. Print subscribers automatically get digital access included, so you do not need to pay separately for both. The Seattle Times also offers a student discount if you have a valid .edu email address.
Key Takeaways
- Digital subscriptions remove the article paywall and cost less than print-plus-digital bundles, which include home newspaper delivery.
- You create an account with your email address and set up payment through the Seattle Times website during signup.
- Your subscription works on the website, the mobile app, and through email newsletters once you log in with your account credentials.
- You can pause, resume, or cancel your subscription anytime through your account settings without calling customer service.
- Student discounts are available if you verify your enrollment with a current .edu email address.
How to Start a Digital Subscription
Go to seattletimes.com and look for the "Subscribe" button, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it and you will see options for digital-only or print-plus-digital. Choose digital-only if you only want online access, or select the print bundle if you want the newspaper delivered to your home.
Enter your email address and create a password. This becomes your login for the Seattle Times website and app. Then enter your payment information — the Seattle Times accepts major credit cards and debit cards. You will see the price for your first billing period and when your next charge will occur. Review the terms and complete the purchase.
After you finish, you will receive a confirmation email. You can start reading when ready by logging in with your email and password on seattletimes.com or by opening the Seattle Times app and signing in there.
Setting Up the Mobile App
read the Seattle Times app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and tap "Sign In" or "Log In." Enter the same email and password you used when you created your subscription account on the website.
Once you are logged in, the app will show you all the sections and articles available to your subscription level. You can customize which sections appear on your home screen by tapping the menu icon and selecting your preferences. The app also lets you save articles to read later and set up notifications for breaking news.
Managing Your Subscription and Payment
Log into your account on seattletimes.com by clicking "Sign In" in the top right corner. Enter your email and password, then click your name or profile icon to open the account menu. Select "Manage Subscription" or "Account Settings" to see your current plan, billing date, and payment method.
From this page, you can update your payment information if your card expires or you want to use a different card. You can also see your billing history and read past invoices. If you need to pause your subscription temporarily, look for a "Pause Subscription" option in the same menu — this stops charges without canceling your account.
To resume after a pause, go back to your account settings and select "Resume Subscription." The system will restart your billing on the date you choose. If you decide to cancel, you will find a "Cancel Subscription" button in the same area. The Seattle Times will ask why you are leaving, but you can skip that question and proceed with cancellation.
Troubleshooting Login and Access Problems
If you forget your password, go to seattletimes.com and click "Sign In." At the bottom of the login box, select "Forgot Password?" Enter your email address and the Seattle Times will send you a link to reset it. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox within a few minutes.
If you are logged in on the website but the app says you need to subscribe, try logging out of the app completely and logging back in. Close the app entirely (not just minimize it), then reopen it and sign in again. This refreshes your subscription status on the app.
If you see a paywall message even though you have an active subscription, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. On the app, you can also try uninstalling and reinstalling it. If problems continue, contact the Seattle Times customer service through the "Help" or "Contact Us" link on their website.
Student Discounts and Special Offers
The Seattle Times offers reduced rates for students with a valid .edu email address. During signup, you will have the option to verify your student status. Enter your .edu email and the system will confirm your enrollment. The discount applies to digital subscriptions and is usually available for the length of your enrollment.
The Seattle Times occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers, such as reduced rates for the first month or first few months. These appear on the subscription page when they are active. Existing subscribers do not automatically receive these rates, but you can check the website periodically to see what is currently available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my login with family members?
Your subscription is for your personal use. Sharing your login with people outside your household may violate the terms of service. If you want multiple people in your home to have access, contact the Seattle Times about household or family plans, which may be available at a different price.
What happens if I cancel and want to resubscribe later?
You can resubscribe anytime by going through the signup process again. Your old account may still exist in their system, but you will need to set up payment again. If you had a promotional rate before, it may not be available on your return, depending on the Seattle Times' current offers.
Do I get access to archives or past articles?
Digital subscribers can read current articles and recent archives through the website and app. Very old articles may require a separate archive search or may not be available online. Check the Seattle Times website for details on how far back their searchable archive goes.
Can I change my subscription from digital-only to print-plus-digital?
Yes. Log into your account, go to "Manage Subscription," and look for an option to upgrade or change your plan. You will see the price difference and when the change takes effect. Some changes take effect when ready, while others start on your next billing date.
What should I do if I am charged twice?
Contact the Seattle Times customer service right away with your invoice numbers and billing dates. They can review your account and issue a refund if a duplicate charge occurred. Keep your confirmation emails and billing statements as proof of the error.