Yes, Apple Music has a free trial. Apple says new members get one month free on the Individual plan, and new members who get a new eligible audio device such as AirPods can get three months free instead. Both renew automatically until you cancel, and the trials are for people who haven't had Apple Music before.
The three-month offer has a clock on it that many people don't notice: Apple says you have three months from first activating the device to redeem it. Wait too long after unboxing your earbuds and you're back to the standard month. Here's how each route works.
The two Apple Music free trials
| Standard trial | Eligible device trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | One month | Three months |
| Who qualifies | New members | New members with a new eligible audio device or Apple Watch |
| How to start | Sign up in the Music app or on the web | Pair the device, then open Apple Music |
| Redeem deadline | None listed | Within three months of first activating the device |
| Limit | New members only | One offer per Apple Account, however many devices you get |
Apple describes the device offer as available for a limited time, so check the Apple Music page before you rely on it. The one-month trial is the standard route for new members.
How to get three months of Apple Music free
Apple's own instructions are short, but the order matters:
- Make sure your iPhone or iPad is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Apple says redemption needs the latest software.
- Pair your eligible audio device with your iPhone or iPad. For an Apple Watch, Apple says it has to be paired with an iPhone on the latest iOS.
- Open the Music app. The three-month offer should appear once the device is paired.
- Sign in with the Apple Account you want the membership on, then accept the offer.
- Note the date, because Apple gives you three months from first activating the device to redeem it.
Apple says it's one offer per Apple Account no matter how many eligible devices you get, so a second pair of earbuds won't get you another three months.
The Apple One alternative
Apple also bundles Apple Music into Apple One with up to five other services. Apple's terms say the Apple One free trial only covers services you're not already using through a trial or a membership, so if you already have Apple Music, the bundle trial won't give you a free month of it. Apple also runs a separate offer of three months of Apple One with any new iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Students get a different deal
Apple says students get one month of Apple Music free on the Student plan, and the Student plan includes access to the Apple TV service. The terms say it's for verified college students only, it needs verification, and it doesn't extend to a Family Sharing group. Apple also notes the Apple TV access ends when you no longer qualify or don't renew.
What you get during the trial
A trial gives you the full service, which Apple lists as:
- Over 100 million songs, ad-free, with downloads for offline listening.
- Lossless audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on supported devices.
- Real-time lyrics and Apple Music Sing.
- Apple Music Classical, which Apple includes with Individual, Family and Student plans.
- Listening on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and HomePod, plus Windows, Android, Sonos, Amazon Echo, Google Nest and smart TVs.
How to cancel the trial
Apple says plans renew automatically until you cancel. You can cancel Apple Music on the web, or on an iPhone or iPad from your Apple Account settings in the Settings app. Apple's support page says that if there's no Cancel button or you see an expiry message in red, it's already cancelled.
If you signed up on Android through Google Play, Apple says you cancel in the Google Play app instead. And if a family member's Apple Account appears on the receipt, only they can cancel it.
Sharing Apple Music with family
Apple's Family plan lets you share Apple Music with up to five people, and each person gets a personal account with their own library and recommendations. To share, Apple says you set up Family Sharing on an iOS or iPadOS device, an Android phone or a Mac and invite family members to join. Apple also says Family Sharing is required for the Family plan.
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Is the Apple Music free trial worth it?
Yes, especially if you've just bought AirPods or Beats, because three months is a long test. Use the time to see whether your playlists and lossless audio make a difference to you. If you're switching over, here's how to transfer a Spotify playlist to Apple Music, and if you make music yourself, my guide on what Apple Music gives artists per stream is worth a read.
My verdict: if you've bought an eligible device, redeem the three-month offer within three months of setting it up. If you haven't, take the one-month trial and set a reminder a couple of days before it renews.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Apple Music free trial?
Apple says new members get one month free. New members with an eligible audio device can get three months free instead.
How do I get three months of Apple Music free?
Pair an eligible audio device with an iPhone or iPad running the latest iOS or iPadOS, then open Apple Music. Apple says you have three months to redeem the offer after first activating the device.
Can I get the Apple Music free trial twice?
Apple's trials are for new members, and the device offer is limited to one per Apple Account, however many eligible devices you get.
Do students get an Apple Music free trial?
Yes. Apple says students get one month free on the Student plan, which also includes access to Apple TV. It's for verified college students only.
Does the Apple One trial include Apple Music if I already have it?
No. Apple says the Apple One free trial only includes services you're not currently using through a trial or a membership.
How do I cancel the Apple Music free trial?
Cancel on the web or in your Apple Account settings on an iPhone or iPad. If you signed up through Google Play on Android, cancel in the Google Play app.
