T-Mobile stopped including Apple TV+ with most phone plans in 2024

If you got a free Apple TV+ subscription through T-Mobile, that benefit ended. T-Mobile offered three months free to new customers and one year free to existing customers on certain plans, but those offers are no longer available. Customers who already have active subscriptions through T-Mobile will keep them until their current period ends — T-Mobile is not canceling subscriptions mid-cycle — but when that time expires, you will need to pay Apple directly or lose access.

The exact end date depends on when you started your subscription. If you signed up in 2023 or early 2024, your free period likely ended or is ending in late 2024 or early 2025. T-Mobile has not announced a new date to restart the offer, and there is no indication it will return.

Key Takeaways

  • T-Mobile's free Apple TV+ offer ended in 2024; new customers can no longer get it through their phone plan.
  • Existing subscribers keep their free access until their current billing cycle ends, then must pay Apple directly or cancel.
  • You will receive a notice from T-Mobile or Apple before your free period ends, telling you when payment will begin.
  • If you want to keep Apple TV+, you can pay Apple $9.99 per month for the standard plan or $19.99 per month for the premium plan with 4K and extra features.
  • Other carriers and services still offer free or discounted streaming subscriptions, so compare what your current plan includes before paying separately.

When your free subscription ends and what to expect

T-Mobile will send you a notification before your free period expires. This notice comes from either T-Mobile or Apple and tells you the exact date your free access ends. Most customers receive this email or text message 7 to 14 days before the cutoff.

On the day your free period ends, your Apple TV+ account does not automatically delete. Instead, Apple will attempt to charge a payment method on file. If no payment method is linked to your Apple ID, your account will be suspended, and you will lose access to shows and movies you were watching. You can reactivate at any time by adding a payment method, but you will start a new subscription cycle.

If you want to cancel before being charged, you must do it through your Apple ID settings, not through T-Mobile. T-Mobile cannot cancel the subscription for you once it transfers to Apple's direct billing.

How to cancel before you are charged

Log into your Apple ID on any Apple device or at appleid.apple.com. Go to Subscriptions, find Apple TV+, and select Cancel Subscription. Apple will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay — you can accept or decline. Once canceled, you keep access through the end of your current billing period, then lose it.

If you are unsure whether you have already been charged, check your Apple ID payment history. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on iPhone or iPad, or visit appleid.apple.com on a computer. You will see all active subscriptions and the date of the next charge.

Other ways to watch Apple TV+ content without paying separately

Several carriers and services still bundle Apple TV+ or other streaming options with phone plans or memberships. Verizon offers Apple TV+ free for six months to new customers on certain plans. Some Verizon customers on higher-tier plans get it included at no extra cost. AT&T does not currently offer Apple TV+ but includes HBO Max with some plans. Comcast Xfinity bundles Apple TV+ with certain internet and TV packages.

If you have an Apple One subscription (which bundles Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud storage, and other services), that may be cheaper than paying for Apple TV+ alone. Apple One starts at $16.95 per month for the individual plan. Students can get Apple TV+ free for four years through Apple's student discount program.

Check your current phone plan or internet service to see what streaming services are already included. Many people discover they have access to something they did not know about.

What to do if you were charged after the free period ended

If Apple charged you and you did not intend to continue the subscription, contact Apple Support through your Apple ID settings or call 1-800-MY-APPLE. Explain that you did not authorize the charge and ask for a refund. Apple typically refunds one month if you request it within a reasonable time — usually 30 to 60 days of the charge.

Keep your receipt or billing statement from your Apple ID. Apple Support will ask for the date of the charge and your subscription details. If you have a screenshot showing you received no notice, include that too, though Apple's records will show whether a notification was sent.

Comparing what you lose and what you gain by canceling

Before you cancel, consider what you actually watch. Apple TV+ has a smaller library than Netflix or Disney+, but it includes original series like Severance, Ted Lasso, and Foundation. If you watch nothing on the service, canceling saves you $9.99 to $19.99 per month. If you watch one show per month, the cost is roughly $10 to $20 per show.

You can also pause your subscription for up to four months instead of canceling. This keeps your watchlist and preferences but stops charges. To pause, go to your Apple ID Subscriptions and select Manage next to Apple TV+, then choose Pause Subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will T-Mobile bring back the free Apple TV+ offer?

T-Mobile has not announced plans to restart the offer. Carrier promotions change based on deals with content providers, so it is possible but not may provide. Check your T-Mobile bill or account online periodically if you want to know if it returns.

Can I get a refund for the months I already paid after the free period ended?

Apple refunds one month if you contact them within 30 to 60 days of an unexpected charge. If more time has passed, refunds are less likely but still worth requesting. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE or use your Apple ID settings to contact support.

Does canceling Apple TV+ delete my watchlist and saved shows?

If you cancel and resubscribe later, your watchlist and viewing history remain tied to your Apple ID. However, if you do not resubscribe within a long period, Apple may remove the data. Pausing instead of canceling preserves everything without charges.

What if I share my Apple TV+ account with family members?

Family Sharing lets up to six people watch on the same subscription. If you cancel, all family members lose access. If you pause, they keep access during the pause period. Discuss the change with your family before canceling.

Can I switch to a cheaper Apple TV+ plan?

Apple TV+ has two paid tiers: standard ($9.99 per month, 1080p) and premium ($19.99 per month, 4K and spatial audio). There is no cheaper option. The free tier no longer exists. Some carriers offer discounts on annual plans, but Apple's direct pricing is fixed.