- The two Apple Arcade free offers
- The cancel rule on the 3-month offer
- Who can't use the new device offer
- How to start an Apple Arcade free trial
- Sharing the trial with your family
- What's included
- You may already have Apple Arcade
- Keeping your games after the trial
- My verdict on the Apple Arcade free trial
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Apple Arcade has a free trial. Apple's support page tells you to choose the trial offer when you join, and it allows one trial per Apple Account. If you've bought a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac, Apple also offers 3 months of Apple Arcade free, but cancelling during those 3 months ends your access straight away, and you can't get the rest back.
That cancel rule is the opposite of how most trials work, so it's worth reading before you tap anything. Here's how both Apple Arcade offers work, according to Apple's own pages and offer terms.
The two Apple Arcade free offers
| Standard trial | New device offer | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets it | Anyone who hasn't had an Apple Arcade trial on their Apple Account | People who've bought an eligible new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac |
| Length | Shown on the offer when you join | 3 months |
| Limit | One trial per Apple Account | One offer per Family, whatever the number of devices |
| When to claim | Any time | Within 3 months of first setting up the new device |
| If you cancel early | Check the offer screen | You and your family lose access immediately |
The cancel rule on the 3-month offer
Apple's offer terms for the new device deal are blunt. If you cancel during the free period, you and your family members immediately lose access to Apple Arcade and the rest of your free trial, and Apple says you can't reactivate it.
That's the opposite of the usual advice to cancel early and keep watching. With this offer, the safe way to avoid the renewal is to set a reminder for a day or two before the 3 months are up, then cancel. Apple says you can cancel in Settings at least one day before each renewal date.
Who can't use the new device offer
- Current Apple Arcade members. Apple says the offer isn't open to them.
- Anyone in a Family that's already accepted an Apple Arcade 3-month free offer before.
- People trying to stack it. Apple says it can't be combined with Apple One, or with other free trials or offers for Apple Arcade.
- Anyone who misses the window. You must claim it in the App Store within 3 months of first setting up the device.
Apple also says the device should be running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS or macOS, and you need to sign in with your Apple Account on the new device for the offer to appear.
How to start an Apple Arcade free trial
- On an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Vision Pro, open the App Store and go to the Arcade tab. On Apple TV, open the Arcade app.
- Look for the trial offer. If you don't see one, Apple suggests downloading any Apple Arcade game, which prompts you to join.
- Choose the trial offer. Apple allows one trial per Apple Account.
- Sign in with the Apple Account you use for media, if asked.
- Confirm your card details if prompted, and agree to the terms.
On a Mac, Apple's Arcade page says you can also start from the Games app, and Apple TV 4K owners can use the Arcade tab at the top of the App Store.
Sharing the trial with your family
Apple Arcade works with Family Sharing, so one trial covers more than one person. Apple says you can share it with up to five family members. If someone in your family group already has Apple Arcade, Apple says you'll see a message telling you that you already have access when you try to join, so check that before starting a fresh trial.
What's included
Apple says Apple Arcade gives unlimited access to 200+ games with no ads and no in-app extras, across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro, online or offline. New releases and updates are added all the time. If you play on flights or the train, my guide to offline games for iPhone in airplane mode is a good companion, and here's why some offline games still need the internet now and then.
You may already have Apple Arcade
Before you start any trial, check two places. Apple's support page says Apple Arcade access might be included with your iCloud+ plan in some countries. And Apple One bundles Apple Arcade with Apple Music, Apple TV and iCloud storage, and Apple's Arcade page shows Apple One with 1 month free. If you already have either, you may not need a separate trial at all.
Keeping your games after the trial
Apple says new games and updates are added to Apple Arcade all the time, and the games are part of the membership rather than bought individually. If you cancel at the right time, you simply stop being able to play them, so finish the games you care about before the end date.
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My verdict on the Apple Arcade free trial
Take the free months, especially on a new device, but don't cancel early on the 3-month offer, because Apple will switch it off on the spot. Set a reminder for a few days before the end, check whether iCloud+ or Apple One already covers you, and share it with your family so everyone gets the most from it.
Frequently asked questions
Does Apple Arcade have a free trial?
Yes. Apple's support page tells you to choose the trial offer when you join, with one trial per Apple Account.
How do I get 3 months of Apple Arcade free?
Apple offers 3 months free with an eligible new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac. You must claim it in the App Store within 3 months of first setting up the device.
What happens if I cancel the 3-month Apple Arcade offer early?
Apple's offer terms say you and your family members immediately lose access to Apple Arcade and the rest of the free trial, and it can't be reactivated.
Can I combine the Apple Arcade offer with Apple One?
No. Apple says the new device offer can't be combined with Apple One or other free trials or offers for Apple Arcade.
Can I share an Apple Arcade trial with my family?
Yes. Apple says Apple Arcade can be shared with up to five family members through Family Sharing.
Is Apple Arcade included with iCloud+?
In some countries, yes. Apple's support page says Apple Arcade access might be included with your iCloud+ plan depending on your country.
