Apple TV+ now costs $12.99 per month — its third price increase since launching at $4.99 in 2019. But there are still genuine routes to watch it for free or near-free, and several of them last longer than most people realize. The catch is that some of the paths that were free in previous years are now discounts rather than freebies. This page sorts through what’s actually available right now, what changed, and how long each free path lasts.
Key Answers — What Most People Want to Know
Apple TV+ has a reputation for being expensive, but it has more free and discounted access routes than most streaming services. These eight answers clear up the confusion quickly.
Yes, in several situations — none of them requiring any tricks. The most common is the 3-month free trial included with any new Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV box). Students who subscribe to Apple Music get Apple TV+ included at no extra charge for as long as their student plan is active. First-time Apple One subscribers get a free one-month trial of the entire bundle. And new subscribers who have never had Apple TV+ can start a 7-day free trial directly. None of these require a coupon or promotion — they’re standard, ongoing offers as of the current date.
No — the T-Mobile “Apple TV On Us” promotion that offered completely free Apple TV+ to subscribers on qualifying plans ended January 1. T-Mobile replaced it with a $9.99 monthly discount, meaning eligible customers on plans like Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Plus, Go5G Next, Magenta MAX, Magenta Plus, and ONE Plus now pay $3/month instead of $12.99. That’s still a meaningful discount — $36 per year versus $155.88 — but it’s no longer free. If you were relying on the “free” T-Mobile Apple TV+ deal, check your billing now; the $3 charge started appearing in January. You can remove the Apple TV+ add-on through T-Life if you don’t want it.
7 days for new subscribers signing up directly. This applies only to people who have never had an Apple TV+ subscription — it won’t appear if you’ve previously subscribed, even if that was years ago. The trial requires a payment method on file, and it auto-renews at $12.99/month unless you cancel at least 24 hours before it expires. If you want to cancel, do it the day you sign up — you’ll still have access through the full 7 days. Apple sends an email reminder before the trial ends, but setting your own calendar reminder is safer. In our testing, the cancellation process in Settings takes under a minute once you know where it is.
After setting up your new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device, open the Apple TV app. You’ll see a prompt offering 3 months free — tap it, and it activates on your Apple ID. The offer typically appears within a few days of first using the device. It’s available on both new devices purchased directly from Apple and from authorized retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Refurbished devices purchased through Apple’s official certified refurbished store also qualify. The 3-month clock doesn’t start until you redeem the offer, so there’s no rush to activate immediately after purchase. After 3 months, it auto-renews at $12.99/month unless you cancel — mark your calendar when you activate, not when you buy the device.
The current price is $12.99/month or $99.99/year. Apple raised the monthly price from $9.99 to $12.99 in August — a 30% increase, the fourth hike since launch. The annual plan is unchanged at $99.99 and saves roughly $56 compared to paying month to month all year, making it the better deal for anyone who’ll keep the service for at least 8 months. Unlike every other major streaming service, Apple TV+ does not offer an ad-supported cheaper tier — $12.99 is the floor. One subscription covers up to 6 family members through Family Sharing, which meaningfully changes the per-person cost for households.
Yes — this is one of the best-kept secrets in streaming. Students at degree-granting colleges and universities can subscribe to Apple Music for $6.99/month (verified through UNiDAYS or SheerID), and that plan includes full Apple TV+ access at no additional charge. Not a trial — it stays active for as long as the student plan is active. Apple Music for students also includes 100 million songs and radio. The $6.99 effectively gets you two separate services. Eligibility requires current enrollment; students need to re-verify periodically. If you’re a college student or have a college-age child in the household, this is the lowest-cost route to Apple TV+ available without a device purchase.
The device-purchase free trial only applies to new device purchases, not devices you already own. If your current iPhone or Mac is more than a few years old and you’re due for an upgrade anyway, the 3-month trial is worth factoring in as part of the upgrade’s value. For people with existing devices and no student eligibility, the practical free options narrow to: the 7-day trial (if you’ve never subscribed), being added to a family member’s subscription under Family Sharing at no extra cost, or watching during the Apple One free trial month. Best Buy and Target occasionally run promotional codes for 3 months of Apple TV+ for card members or loyalty program members — worth checking before committing to a paid subscription.
Yes — Apple TV+ is available on far more devices than most people assume. Apple released an official Android app, making it available on Android phones and tablets for the first time. It also works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV/Chromecast, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, Samsung and LG smart TVs, and in any web browser at tv.apple.com. You do not need an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV box to watch Apple TV+. The 7-day free trial and paid subscriptions work identically across all platforms. The one thing non-Apple users miss out on is the 3-month device trial — that requires buying a new Apple device.
Every Free and Discounted Path — Fully Detailed
Each route below has been verified. The free duration, eligibility, and key conditions are listed for each so you know exactly what you’re getting before you sign up for anything.
Any new iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV streaming box purchased new comes with a 3-month Apple TV+ trial redeemable through the Apple TV app. This is not advertised loudly at the register, but it’s a standard included benefit — don’t skip the Apple TV app setup when you get your device. The offer must be redeemed within 90 days of device activation, and the 3 months begin from the day you redeem it, not the day you bought the device. If you have multiple family members, you can share those 3 months across all 6 people under your Family Sharing group. In our device testing, the redemption prompt appeared clearly in the Apple TV app on first launch — easy to miss only if you skip that app entirely. Refurbished Apple devices from Apple’s own store also qualify. Devices purchased from unauthorized third parties do not.
The Apple Music Student Plan at $6.99/month includes Apple TV+ at no additional charge — not as a trial, but as an ongoing benefit that stays active for the life of the student plan. Eligibility is limited to current students at degree-granting colleges and universities in eligible countries including the United States, verified through UNiDAYS or SheerID. High school students do not qualify — this is for college and university enrollment. Students re-verify eligibility periodically to maintain the discounted rate. When the student plan ends (upon graduation or dropping below qualifying enrollment), it converts to the full Apple Music individual rate without Apple TV+ included. For students who already use Apple Music or were going to subscribe anyway, the inclusion of Apple TV+ effectively costs nothing.
Anyone who has never had an Apple TV+ subscription can start a 7-day free trial directly from Apple. Go to apple.com/apple-tv-plus, click “Try It Free,” sign in with your Apple ID, and add a payment method. You won’t be charged until the 7 days are up. The key rule: this is strictly for first-time Apple TV+ subscribers. If you had a free trial in the past — even years ago — you won’t see the trial offer; you’ll be taken straight to the paid signup. The trial requires a credit or debit card (Apple Gift Card balance alone won’t work). Cancel at least 24 hours before the 7 days are up to avoid being charged. Our recommendation: cancel the moment you sign up. You keep full access for the entire 7 days regardless, and you won’t accidentally be billed if life gets busy.
First-time Apple One subscribers get one free month of the entire Apple One bundle — which includes Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ storage, plus Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+ on the Premier tier. This only applies to people who have not previously subscribed to Apple One and who aren’t currently subscribed to any of the individual services bundled in it. After the free month, it auto-renews at the plan rate (see the Apple One section below for pricing). The monthly billing cycle is the key to managing this: if you subscribe on the 1st and cancel on the 30th, you’ve paid nothing and had full access to all included services for a month. If you genuinely use Apple Music, have iCloud storage needs, and watch Apple TV+, sticking with Apple One after the trial is usually cheaper than subscribing individually.
T-Mobile ended its “Apple TV On Us” completely-free promotion on January 1, but eligible customers still get a significant discount. On plans including Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Plus, Go5G Next, Magenta MAX, Magenta Plus, and ONE Plus, T-Mobile provides a $9.99 monthly credit toward Apple TV+, meaning you pay only $3/month — the difference between T-Mobile’s $9.99 credit and Apple’s current $12.99 price. That’s $36 per year versus the full $155.88. If you’re on one of these T-Mobile plans and had Apple TV+ free before January, your bill now shows a $3 Apple TV+ charge. You can remove it at any time through T-Life. You can also keep it — $3/month for an ad-free streaming service with this content quality is still a strong deal by any measure.
A single Apple TV+ subscription at $12.99/month covers up to 6 family members through Family Sharing. Each family member watches on their own Apple ID with their own watch history and recommendations — it’s not a shared account with one login, it’s a genuinely separate experience per person. If a spouse, child, sibling, or parent already has Apple TV+, you may already be eligible to watch for free under their subscription by joining their Family Sharing group. Many people don’t realize they qualify until they open the Apple TV app and find content waiting for them. If you’re the one paying and have spots available in your Family Sharing group, adding family members costs nothing extra. This is the most overlooked free route in the entire guide.
All Ways to Get Apple TV+ — At a Glance
Every current route to Apple TV+ access, free and paid, with duration, eligibility, and what happens when it ends. Prices current as of August 2026.
| Route | Your Cost | Duration | Who Qualifies | After Period Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Apple Device Trial | FREE | 3 months | New device purchasers — first use | $12.99/mo auto-renews |
| Apple Music Student Plan | FREE (included) | While enrolled | College/university students | TV+ ends; Music converts to full price |
| Apple One — First Month | FREE | 1 month | First-time Apple One subscribers | Auto-renews at bundle rate |
| 7-Day Direct Trial | FREE | 7 days | First-time Apple TV+ subscribers only | $12.99/mo auto-renews |
| Family Sharing (family member pays) | FREE | Ongoing | Up to 5 family members of subscriber | Stays free as long as payer subscribes |
| T-Mobile Qualifying Plans | $3/mo | While on plan | Experience More · Go5G Plus · Magenta MAX · others | Full price if plan changes |
| Apple TV+ Monthly (paid) | $12.99/mo | Month-to-month | Anyone — no contract | Cancel anytime |
| Apple TV+ Annual (paid) | $99.99/yr | 12 months | Anyone — saves ~$56 vs monthly | Renews yearly |
📈 Apple TV+ Price History — How It’s Changed Since Launch
Monthly price only. Annual plan ($99.99/yr) has remained unchanged. Source: Apple / TechCrunch.
Apple One Bundle — When It Makes Sense
Apple One bundles several Apple services together at a single monthly price. Whether it saves you money depends entirely on which services you’d actually pay for individually.
- Apple TV+
- Apple Music
- Apple Arcade
- iCloud+ 50GB
- Apple TV+
- Apple Music (family)
- Apple Arcade (family)
- iCloud+ 200GB (shared)
- Apple TV+
- Apple Music (family)
- Apple Arcade (family)
- iCloud+ 2TB (shared)
- Apple News+
- Apple Fitness+
Apple One only saves money if you use the other services in it. Apple TV+ alone is $12.99/month. Apple Music Individual is $10.99/month. If you pay for both separately, that’s $23.98 — Apple One Individual at $19.95 saves about $4/month (plus you get Arcade and iCloud storage thrown in). The math gets better with the Family plan: if your household uses Apple Music as a family subscription ($16.99 standalone), Apple TV+, and needs iCloud storage, the Family bundle at $25.95 often beats paying individually. The Premier tier makes the most sense for large households with iCloud storage needs above 200GB. Run the math against what you actually pay currently before signing up.
Note: Apple One prices have increased several times since launch. The Family and Premier tiers went up by $2 in mid-2026. The Individual plan price did not change at that same time.
What You Get With Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is an all-originals service — there are no licensed reruns or catalog movies from other studios. Everything is made by or for Apple. In our experience testing the service against the competition, the depth of the library is smaller than Netflix or Max, but the quality-per-title ratio is genuinely high.
Severance (Season 2 released earlier this year) has become one of the most-discussed shows in streaming. Ted Lasso ran three seasons and a fourth is in production. For All Mankind (alternate-history space race), Silo (sci-fi thriller), Slow Horses (British spy drama), Shrinking (comedy drama), The Morning Show (media satire), Presumed Innocent, Bad Sisters, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Killers of the Flower Moon (Martin Scorsese film) are among the most recognized. In 2026, Apple became the exclusive U.S. broadcast home for Formula 1 racing, joining an existing package that includes MLS Season Pass and Friday Night Baseball — all included with the subscription at no extra charge beyond the monthly fee.
Because everything on Apple TV+ is original, the library is small compared to Netflix, Max, or Disney+. There are no syndicated shows, no licensed Hollywood blockbusters from other studios, and no news or live channels. No ad-supported tier exists — $12.99 is the only entry point. MLS Season Pass requires a separate subscription on top of Apple TV+ for users who want the full live game coverage; Apple TV+ subscribers get a discounted rate but not free access to MLS. The service is one of the few that works on Android (phone and TV), smart TVs, game consoles, and web browsers, so device restrictions are minimal.
Find Your Situation
Open the Apple TV app on your new iPhone (it’s pre-installed — if it’s not visible, search for it). On first launch, you should see an offer for 3 months of Apple TV+. Tap it, sign in with your Apple ID, confirm your payment method, and the 3 months start. If you don’t see the offer immediately, look in the Apple TV app under Settings or try restarting the device. The offer is linked to your Apple ID, not the device itself, so you’ll need to use the same Apple ID you set up the iPhone with. Set a calendar reminder for 3 months from today — not when you signed up for the trial, because it may take a few days to appear. If you decide after 3 months that you don’t want to continue paying $12.99/month, cancel through Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions before the trial ends.
Yes — the completely free deal ended January 1. But you haven’t lost everything. If you’re on Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Plus, Go5G Next, Magenta MAX, Magenta Plus, or ONE Plus, T-Mobile is now crediting $9.99/month toward Apple TV+, meaning you pay $3/month rather than $12.99. Check your T-Mobile bill — if Apple TV+ appears as a line item, that $3 charge is what you’re now paying. If you want to remove it, go to T-Life → Account → Plan Details and cancel the Apple TV+ add-on. If you don’t remove it and weren’t expecting the charge, it started appearing in January. Customers on lower-tier T-Mobile plans (not in the list above) get no discount and would pay the full $12.99 if they added Apple TV+.
If you’ve never had Apple TV+, start the 7-day free trial. Severance seasons 1 and 2 are both fully available, and you can binge both in a week if motivated. Cancel the day you sign up — you keep full access for all 7 days regardless. If you’ve already had a trial, the next cheapest option is the Apple One bundle’s one-month free trial for first-time Apple One subscribers, which gives you 30 days. After that, if you still want more Apple Originals, a single month at $12.99 to finish any remaining shows you want is cheaper than most movie rentals when split across a household. The annual plan at $99.99 is worth it if you plan to watch consistently — it works out to $8.33/month, below the price Apple TV+ originally launched at.
Yes — if they’re enrolled at a college or university, they can subscribe to Apple Music Student Plan for $6.99/month, which includes Apple TV+ at no additional charge. This is verified through UNiDAYS or SheerID using their school email address. Apple Music Student includes 100 million songs, the full Apple TV+ catalog (Severance, Ted Lasso, sports, everything), and access to all Apple Originals — for $6.99 total. That’s less than half the standalone Apple TV+ monthly rate. Alternatively, if you have an Apple TV+ subscription already, adding them to your Family Sharing group costs you nothing extra and gives them their own watch history and login.
Absolutely. Apple TV+ works on Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV sticks, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Google TV/Chromecast, Android phones and tablets, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, and in any web browser at tv.apple.com. You do not need an iPhone or iPad. Download the Apple TV app from your device’s app store, create a free Apple ID (you can do this from any device with an internet connection and an email address), and sign up for a subscription. The 7-day free trial applies to first-time subscribers regardless of what device they use. The only thing that requires Apple hardware is the 3-month device trial, which comes from purchasing a new Apple product.
Where to Sign Up or Start a Trial
Official Apple links only. All other sources should be treated as unofficial. Current pricing is subject to change — confirm before entering payment details.
Pricing, trial availability, and promotion details in this article are sourced from Apple’s official product pages and support documentation, TechCrunch’s reporting on the August price increase to $12.99, Newsweek and Apple Insider’s reporting on T-Mobile ending the “Apple TV On Us” free promotion effective January 1, and MacRumors’ coverage of Apple One pricing changes. Student plan eligibility information from Apple’s official Apple Music student plan page. Device compatibility verified through Apple’s support documentation and the official Android TV+ app launch as reported by Phone Scoop. This page is independent and not affiliated with Apple Inc. or T-Mobile. Prices and promotions change frequently — always verify current terms directly with Apple before subscribing or canceling. Key sources: apple.com; techcrunch.com; newsweek.com; macrumors.com.