Apple Music does not offer a free tier, but several paths let you use it at no cost

Apple Music itself has no free subscription option. The service requires a paid plan: individual, family, or student. However, you can access Apple Music without paying monthly if you meet one of these conditions: you own an Apple device and may have access to for a free trial, you subscribe to Apple One (which bundles services), you are a student, or you receive it as part of another service like an Apple Card or carrier plan.

The most common free route is the three-month trial that comes with a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. You do not need to enter a payment method during the trial period, though Apple will ask for one before the trial ends. If you do not cancel, your account converts to a paid subscription automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • New Apple device owners get a three-month free trial of Apple Music with no payment method required upfront.
  • Some wireless carriers and credit cards bundle Apple Music months into their plans at no extra cost.
  • Apple One bundles Apple Music with other services, but it is a paid subscription that starts around $14.95 per month.
  • Student plans cost less than standard subscriptions but are not free; you must verify enrollment through SheerID or UNiDAYS.
  • The free trial converts to a paid plan automatically if you do not cancel before it ends.

Free trials tied to new devices

When you set up a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, Apple offers three months of Apple Music at no cost. This applies whether you buy the device new or receive it as a gift. You activate the trial during device setup or later in the Apple Music app.

During the trial, you can stream the full catalog, create playlists, and use all features. You do not need to provide a credit card during the trial itself. However, Apple will prompt you to add a payment method before the three months end. If you do not cancel before the trial expires, Apple charges your card for a monthly subscription automatically.

Each device qualifies for the trial only once per account. If you already used a trial on your account, a new device will not trigger another one.

Carrier and credit card bundles

Some wireless carriers and credit card issuers include Apple Music months as a cardholder or customer benefit. T-Mobile, for example, has offered Apple Music for free to certain plan tiers. American Express and some other cards occasionally bundle three to twelve months of Apple Music into premium card benefits.

These offers change frequently and depend on your specific plan or card tier. Contact your carrier or card issuer directly to ask whether Apple Music is included in your current plan. If it is, the service will be linked to your account, and you will not see a charge on your bill.

Bundled months do not renew automatically after they expire. Once the included period ends, you must pay for a subscription to continue.

Apple One and family plans

Apple One is a bundle that combines Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ storage into one subscription. It is not free, but it costs less than buying each service separately. Individual plans start around $14.95 per month, and family plans around $19.95 per month, depending on your region.

If you already pay for multiple Apple services separately, switching to Apple One may reduce your total monthly cost. However, this is a paid subscription, not a free option. You can try Apple One with a free trial period, which typically lasts one month.

Student discounts and verification

Apple offers a reduced-price Apple Music subscription for students: typically around $5.99 per month instead of the standard $10.99. This is not free, but it cuts the cost roughly in half. To may have access to, you must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and verify your status through SheerID or UNiDAYS, the verification services Apple uses.

Student plans include a free trial period before the discounted rate kicks in. After the trial, you are charged the student rate each month. Your student status must remain verified; if you graduate or leave school, your plan reverts to the standard price.

What happens when a free trial ends

Apple sends email reminders before your trial expires, typically three to five days before the final day. The reminder includes a link to manage your subscription and cancel if you choose. If you do nothing, Apple automatically charges your payment method on the day the trial ends.

You can cancel at any time during the trial without being charged. Cancellation takes effect immediately, and you lose access to Apple Music at that moment. If you cancel after the trial has already ended and you have been charged, you can request a refund for the first month within 45 days of the charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Music free on Android?

No. Apple Music is available only on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and web browsers. Android users cannot access Apple Music at all, whether free or paid. Android users can use other music streaming services like Spotify, YouTube Music, or Amazon Music instead.

Do I have to give a credit card during the free trial?

Not during the trial itself. However, Apple requires a valid payment method on file before the trial ends. You must add one before the three months expire, or the subscription cannot activate. You can remove the payment method after canceling.

Can I get another free trial if I already used one?

Not on the same account. Once you have used a trial, Apple will not offer another one to that account, even if you buy a new device. However, a different family member on a family plan can use their own trial on their device.

What if I cancel but want to rejoin later?

You can resubscribe to Apple Music at any time by paying the monthly rate. You will not receive another free trial unless you are a new device owner or meet another trial condition. Your playlists and library are saved to your account, so they will reappear when you rejoin.

Does Apple Music free come with Apple TV+?

No. Apple Music and Apple TV+ are separate services. The free trial for one does not include the other. You can purchase them separately or bundle them together through Apple One, which requires a paid subscription.