What a Time Magazine subscription includes
A Time Magazine subscription delivers the print edition to your home each week, or gives you access to the digital version on Time.com and through their mobile app, depending on which plan you choose. Most subscriptions include both the weekly magazine and online access to articles, though the exact mix varies by plan level and how long you commit to paying.
Print subscriptions arrive on newsstands and in mailboxes on Fridays, though delivery timing can shift by a day or two depending on your location and postal service. Digital subscriptions unlock the full Time.com website and the Time+ app when ready after purchase, with no waiting for physical delivery. Some plans bundle both print and digital together at a higher price than either alone.
Time also publishes special issues and year-end collections that may or may not arrive as part of your subscription — this depends on which tier you purchase. Reading the plan details before you buy tells you whether special issues are included or sold separately.
Key Takeaways
- Time offers print-only, digital-only, and combined print-plus-digital subscription plans at different price points.
- Print subscriptions arrive weekly on Fridays, while digital subscriptions give you when ready access to Time.com and the mobile app.
- Subscription prices vary based on how long you commit upfront — longer commitments usually cost less per issue.
- You can pause, skip issues, or cancel your subscription through your account page on Time.com without calling customer service.
- Student and educator discounts are available through Time's website if you have a valid .edu email address.
Print vs. digital: which plan makes sense for you
Print subscriptions cost more per issue than digital because Time has to print and mail physical copies to you. If you read Time primarily on your phone or computer and do not mind waiting for articles to appear online, digital-only is the cheaper route. If you prefer holding the magazine, reading it offline, or want the full design and photography as the editors intended, print justifies the extra cost.
Combined print-plus-digital plans sit between the two in price and give you both formats. This matters if you travel frequently — you can read digitally on the plane and read print at home. It also matters if you share the physical magazine with someone else in your household; they can read print while you read digital simultaneously.
Digital subscriptions work on any device with a web browser or the Time app, which is available on iOS and Android. Print subscriptions require a valid mailing address in the United States or internationally, depending on Time's current shipping regions.
How subscription pricing and commitment periods work
Time typically offers subscription plans at different price points based on how long you commit upfront. A one-year plan costs more per issue than a two-year plan, which costs more per issue than a three-year plan. The exact prices change throughout the year and vary by whether you choose print, digital, or both.
You can usually find current pricing on Time.com by selecting your preferred plan type. Introductory rates for new subscribers are common, especially during promotional periods. If you see a rate that seems unusually low, check the fine print to see whether that price applies only to the first billing cycle or to the entire commitment.
Most subscriptions renew automatically at the end of your commitment period unless you cancel beforehand. Time sends renewal notices by email before the charge hits your payment method, giving you time to cancel if you no longer want the subscription.
How to start, pause, or cancel your subscription
You can purchase a Time subscription directly through Time.com or through third-party retailers like Amazon or Apple News+. Buying through Time.com gives you the most control over your account and the easiest way to manage settings later. Buying through a third party means your subscription is tied to that platform's account system instead.
Once you have an active subscription, you can log into your account on Time.com to pause issues, skip a week, or cancel entirely. Pausing is useful if you are traveling or temporarily do not want magazines to pile up. Skipping lets you avoid a single issue without canceling the whole subscription. Canceling ends your subscription at the end of your current billing period, not when ready.
If you bought your subscription through a third party like Amazon, you will need to cancel through that platform's account settings, not through Time.com. Check your confirmation email to see where your subscription is managed.
Student and educator discounts
Time offers reduced rates for students and educators with a valid .edu email address. You can verify your status through SheerID, a third-party verification service that Time uses to confirm you are currently enrolled or employed at an accredited school. The discount applies to both print and digital plans.
To claim the discount, visit Time.com and look for the student or educator offer during checkout. You will be asked to verify your email address and may need to provide additional information like your school name or graduation year. Verification usually takes a few minutes.
The student discount rate is typically lower than the standard introductory rate, making it worth verifying even if you have seen Time promotions elsewhere. The discount renews each year as long as you remain a student or educator and re-verify your status when Time asks.
What happens if you move or your address changes
If you move within the United States, update your mailing address in your Time account as soon as you know your new address. Time can usually redirect your subscription to the new location within one or two issues. Updating early prevents issues from being sent to your old address and lost in the mail.
If you move internationally, check whether Time ships to your new country. Time currently ships print subscriptions to Canada and some other countries, but not everywhere. If your new country is not on the shipping list, you may need to switch to a digital-only subscription or cancel your print plan.
You can update your address by logging into your account on Time.com, clicking on your subscription settings, and editing the mailing address field. Changes usually take effect within one billing cycle.
Common issues and how to resolve them
If your magazine stops arriving, first check that your mailing address is correct in your account. Then wait one week, since mail delays happen. If it still has not arrived after two weeks, contact Time's customer service through the website to report the missing issue. They can investigate whether the magazine was sent and lost, or whether there was a processing error on their end.
If you are charged twice in one month, log into your account and check whether you have two active subscriptions (this can happen if you purchased through both Time.com and a third party). If you see only one subscription but were charged twice, contact customer service with your payment confirmation numbers so they can trace the duplicate charge and issue a refund.
If you cannot log into your account, use the "Forgot Password" link on Time.com to reset your password. If that does not work, customer service can help you regain access by verifying your identity through your email address or the phone number on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give a Time subscription as a gift?
Yes. Time offers gift subscriptions through their website, where you can choose the plan type, length, and delivery address. You can also include a gift message. The recipient will receive a notification that a subscription has been purchased for them, along with instructions to set up their account.
What if I want to cancel but I am still in the middle of my commitment period?
You can cancel anytime through your account settings, but you will not receive a refund for the unused portion of your commitment. Your subscription will end at the conclusion of your current billing period. Some plans allow you to pause or skip issues instead of canceling if you want to keep the subscription active but take a break.
Does my subscription include access to Time's archives or past articles?
Digital subscriptions include access to articles published during your subscription period and some older content, but not the entire Time archive going back decades. The exact scope of archive access depends on your plan. Check Time.com or contact customer service to confirm what historical content is included in your specific plan.
Can I read my subscription on multiple devices at the same time?
Digital subscriptions allow you to log in on multiple devices, but Time's terms typically limit simultaneous reading to one device at a time. You can read on your phone, then switch to your computer, but you cannot have the same account open on two devices simultaneously. Sharing your login with someone outside your household may violate the subscription terms.
What payment methods does Time accept?
Time accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, and sometimes Apple Pay or Google Pay depending on where you purchase. Your payment method is charged on the renewal date each billing cycle. You can update your payment method anytime in your account settings.