Where Apple TV+ comes free and how long it lasts
Apple TV+ is not free on its own — the streaming service costs money every month. But you can watch it without paying if you buy certain Apple products, sign up through a carrier, or take advantage of a promotional trial. The catch is that these routes have time limits and specific requirements.
The most common way to get free Apple TV+ is through a device purchase. When you buy an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box, you get three months of Apple TV+ included at no extra cost. This promotion has been running for several years, though Apple occasionally changes the length or terms. You set up it through the Apple TV app on your new device — there is no separate sign-up process.
A second route is through a carrier or internet provider. Some wireless carriers like Verizon and some cable providers bundle Apple TV+ with certain plans. The length of the free period varies: some offer three months, others offer a year. You will need an active account with that provider and an Apple ID to set it up.
Key Takeaways
- Buying an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device usually includes three months of free Apple TV+, activated through the Apple TV app.
- Some wireless carriers and internet providers include Apple TV+ free for three months to a year as part of their service plans.
- Apple occasionally runs promotional trials for new users who have never had an Apple TV+ subscription, typically lasting one to three months.
- Once the free period ends, your subscription will convert to a paid monthly plan unless you cancel before the expiration date.
- You need an Apple ID and a compatible device to use Apple TV+, regardless of how you obtain the free period.
Free Apple TV+ through device purchases
When you purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV device directly from Apple or an authorized retailer, the product typically includes three months of Apple TV+ at no cost. This is not a trial — it is a real subscription included with the hardware. You do not need to enter a credit card or promotional code during the initial setup.
To set up it, open the Apple TV app on your new device and sign in with your Apple ID. The system will recognize that you are may be able to access and automatically add the three-month subscription to your account. If you already have an Apple TV+ subscription, the three months will extend your current end date rather than starting a new subscription.
The three-month period begins the moment you set up it, not the moment you buy the device. If you purchase a device and wait two months before setting it up, you still get the full three months from the set up date. After the three months end, your subscription will automatically renew at the current monthly price unless you cancel before the expiration date.
Free Apple TV+ through carriers and internet providers
Several major wireless carriers and internet providers include Apple TV+ free with certain plan tiers. Verizon, for example, has offered free Apple TV+ with some of its wireless and home internet plans. AT&T and T-Mobile have run similar promotions at different times. The specifics — which plans include it, how long the free period lasts, and whether it renews after the trial ends — change frequently and vary by carrier.
To check whether your current plan includes Apple TV+, log into your carrier's account online or call their customer service line. They can tell you whether the benefit is active on your account and how to set it up. You will typically receive a promotional code or a link that you enter into the Apple TV app using your Apple ID.
Some carriers offer the free period only to new customers or customers who add a specific service. Others include it automatically with certain plan levels. If your plan includes it, the free period usually lasts three months to one year, depending on the promotion. After that period ends, you will be charged the regular Apple TV+ monthly rate unless you cancel.
Promotional trials for new subscribers
Apple occasionally offers free trial periods directly to people who have never had an Apple TV+ subscription. These promotions are not always active, and they vary in length — typically one to three months. You might see an offer when you first open the Apple TV app, or Apple might send you an email if you have an Apple ID but no active subscription.
To use a promotional trial, you will need to provide a payment method (usually a credit card) during sign-up, even though you will not be charged during the trial period. This is standard practice: the payment method is on file so the subscription can automatically renew when the trial ends. You must cancel before the trial expiration date to avoid being charged.
These promotions are not may provide and are not available to everyone. If you do not see an offer in the Apple TV app, you can check your email for any promotional messages from Apple, or contact Apple Support to ask whether you are currently may be able to access for a trial.
What happens when your free period ends
When your free Apple TV+ period expires, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid monthly subscription unless you cancel it beforehand. The monthly cost varies by region but is typically around $9.99 in the United States. You will be charged on the same date each month going forward.
To cancel before you are charged, open the Apple TV app or go to your Apple ID settings, find the Apple TV+ subscription, and select the option to cancel. You can usually do this on any Apple device or through the Apple website. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you will lose access to Apple TV+ content once the free period ends — you will not be able to watch shows or movies after that date.
If you are charged by mistake after canceling, or if you want to pause your subscription instead of canceling it entirely, contact Apple Support. They can sometimes refund a charge or help you manage your subscription settings.
How to set up Apple TV+ on your devices
Once you have a free Apple TV+ subscription — whether from a device purchase, carrier promotion, or trial — you need to set it up on the devices where you want to watch. On iPhones, iPads, and Macs, open the Apple TV app (it comes pre-installed on newer devices). Sign in with your Apple ID, and the app will recognize your subscription automatically.
On an Apple TV box, open the Apple TV app from the home screen, sign in with your Apple ID, and the subscription will be recognized. On other devices like Roku, Fire TV, or Samsung Smart TVs, read the Apple TV app from that device's app store, sign in with the same Apple ID, and your subscription will work there too.
You can watch on up to six devices at the same time with one Apple TV+ subscription, though only one person can watch at a time on a single device. If you share your Apple ID with family members, they can all use the same subscription, but Apple also offers a family plan (at a higher monthly cost) that lets multiple people watch simultaneously without sharing login credentials.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is forgetting to cancel before the free period ends. Set a calendar reminder for a few days before your expiration date so you do not accidentally get charged. Many people assume the subscription will straightforward stop after the trial, but it will not — you must actively cancel.
Another mistake is activating the free period too early. If you buy a device but do not plan to use Apple TV+ right away, wait to set up the subscription until you are ready to watch. The three-month clock starts the moment you set up it, not when you buy the device.
A third mistake is assuming that a free period from one source (like a device purchase) will stack with a free period from another source (like a carrier promotion). In most cases, only one free period can be active at a time. If you already have an active free subscription, adding another one will extend the existing subscription rather than giving you a separate three-month period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the free Apple TV+ period on multiple devices?
Yes. Once you set up the free subscription on one device using your Apple ID, you can sign in with the same Apple ID on any other device and watch Apple TV+ there. The subscription is tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific device.
What if I already have a paid Apple TV+ subscription and I buy a new device?
The three-month free subscription will be added to your account and will extend your current subscription end date by three months. You will not be charged extra, and you will not have two separate subscriptions running at once.
Do I need to use a credit card to start the free period?
For free periods that come with device purchases or carrier promotions, you typically do not need to enter a payment method. For promotional trials offered directly by Apple, you will need to provide a credit card, but you will not be charged during the trial period.
Can I cancel my subscription during the free period?
Yes. You can cancel at any time during the free period, and you will lose access to Apple TV+ when ready. There is no penalty for canceling early, and you will not be refunded for the unused portion of the free period.
What if my carrier says I am not may be able to access for the free Apple TV+ promotion?
may be able to access depends on your specific plan and account status. Contact your carrier's customer service to confirm which plans include the promotion and whether your account qualifies. If you recently switched plans or added a service, it may take a few days for the promotion to appear on your account.