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How to get Apple TV+ for free

The Apple TV Plus icon on an Apple TV home screen with the show The After Party.
Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Curious about the buzzworthy shows on Apple TV+ but still deciding whether to commit? We've got you covered!, From new device purchases to student discounts to T-Mobile perks, multiple ways exist to score a free trial and explore the platform's acclaimed series.

Binge-watch mind-benders like Severance or catch up on other critically acclaimed titles -- all without spending a dime (for now). This is your chance to immerse yourself in Apple TV+'s captivating storytelling before deciding if you want to continue your subscription.

Don't miss out on these limited-time offers. You can cancel your subscription at any time.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Smart TV or smartphone with Apple TV app

  • Apple TV set-top device

  • Apple ID

  • You're a T-Mobile customer

Apple TV+ home screen with Severance on it.
Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Get Apple TV+ free with a new device purchase

If you've just snagged yourself a pretty, new Apple device, such as the newest iPhone 13, iPad, MacBook, or Mac desktop, or you've already made the commitment and purchased an Apple TV device, then you're eligible for a three-month subscription to the Apple TV+ service. Here's how to claim it.

Step 1: Set up your new eligible Apple device. That means creating your Apple ID and making sure you're signed in on the device.

Step 2: Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or MacOS.

Step 3: Launch the Apple TV app on the device, and the launch screen should display the three-month offer. If not, go to the Apple TV+ tab.

Step 4: Tap the Enjoy 3 months free link and go through the instructions.

Note: Once you've activated the trial, you're agreeing to then pay the $5-per-month fee that will automatically begin once the trial is over. We've also got a great explainer on how to cancel your subscription if you decide it's not for you, or if you've binged all the episodes of Severance — whichever comes first.

Apple TV+ 7-dat trial confirmation screen.
Screengrab / Digital Trends

I already own an Apple device, now what?

If you're already the owner of an Apple device and aren't eligible for the three-month new device trial, you can still try Apple TV+ for free, albeit for just seven days — which should be enough time to decide whether you're into it or not. Here's how:

Step 1: Head to AppleTV.com and click on the Start free trial button. You can do this on pretty much any device, but we're using the browser method.

Step 2: Sign in with your Apple ID, if you weren't already signed in. You may have to go through the two-factor authentication process.

Step 3: If necessary, you may have to enter credit card information if you don't already have one attached to your Apple ID. Once this is done, click Confirm.

Step 4: That's it. You'll be able to start watching right away, but you may have to sign in on any devices you're using to watch, such as an Apple TV.

Can I share it with my family?

Yes. If you're a user of Apple's Family Sharing, once your free trial is activated, it will also extend to anyone attached to your Family Sharing account.

Apple Music logo on a smartphone.
Nikki Meel / Shutterstock

Students get free Apple TV+ with an Apple Music subscription

Although Apple states that this deal is just for a "limited time," the offer is currently still available and is a great deal, so if you're a student, you might want to jump on it fast.

Open to students at "degree-granting universities and colleges" in the U.S., Canada, and Japan, this deal gets you a $6-per-month Apple Music subscription (half of the usual price), plus a subscription to Apple TV+, too. The discounted Apple Music price is active for up to four years (or until the student graduates), Apple says, and you'll have to verify your student status as well (and you'll have to reverify once a year).

The Apple TV+ service is attached to your Apple Music student subscription, so you just have to open the Apple TV app and start watching — you don't need a separate subscription, and it can't be shared in Family Sharing.

Apple One subscription page.
Screengrab / Digital Trends

Apple One subscribers get a free month

If you're an Apple user who has considered bundling several Apple subscriptions together to save some money, then you're undoubtedly aware of Apple One, the company's deal that allows you to combine Apple services such as Music, TV+, Arcade, iCloud, News, and Fitness with tiered pricing at $15, $20, and $30. If you've never subscribed to Apple TV+ and you get an Apple One plan, you'll get a free trial for Apple TV+ for a month.

T-Mobile smartphone.
Jaap Arriens / Getty Images

T-Mobile customers can get a free year

T-Mobile has been delighting subscribers of its Magenta and Magenta Max plans with a free year of Apple TV+, since 2021. The telco still does, but has since replaced those plans with its Go5G range. For customers of the Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plans, you can get Apple TV+ for free for as long as you maintain your account and it's in good standing. If you have its lower range Go5G plan, the limited time deal is just for sox free months of Apple TV+, for which you'll pay $10 per month afterwards.

Apple TV+ is available on all the major platforms, including Roku, Android TV, Chromecast with Google TV, and Amazon Fire TV, as well as Apple TV, iOS, and MacOS devices. Want to learn more about Apple TV+ and all the shows headed its way? You can find everything you need to know right here, including its cost.

For the latest details and terms, visit the Apple TV+ website.

Derek Malcolm
Former Contributing Editor, A/V
Derek Malcolm is a contributing editor and evergreen lead for the A/V and Home Theater section of Digital Trends. Derek…
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