Where Apple TV+ comes free, and what you actually get
Apple TV+ is not free on its own — the streaming service costs money every month. But you can watch it without paying Apple directly if you already pay for something else. The most common way is through a bundle: if you have an Apple One subscription (which bundles Apple Music, iCloud storage, and other services), Apple TV+ is included. You can also get it free for three months when you buy a new Apple device like an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box. Some phone carriers and internet providers offer it free to their customers for a limited time.
The catch is that these routes all require you to already be a customer of something else, or to buy a device. There is no standalone free tier of Apple TV+ itself. What you watch and how long you can watch it depends entirely on which bundle or promotion you may have access to for.
Key Takeaways
- Apple One bundles include Apple TV+ along with Apple Music and iCloud storage, and cost less than paying for each service separately.
- New Apple device purchases come with three months of Apple TV+ free, whether you buy an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box.
- Some phone carriers and internet providers offer Apple TV+ free for three to twelve months as a customer perk.
- Free access through any of these routes ends when the promotion expires or you cancel the bundle, and you must then pay to keep watching.
Apple One bundles that include Apple TV+
Apple One is a single subscription that combines four or five Apple services depending on which tier you choose. The Individual plan includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade (games), and 50 GB of iCloud storage. The Family plan adds more iCloud storage and lets up to six people use the services. The Premier plan adds Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+. You pay one monthly fee instead of buying each service separately, which costs less than the total if you bought them all individually.
If you already subscribe to Apple Music or use iCloud storage, switching to Apple One usually saves you money because Apple TV+ gets added at no extra charge. You can see the exact price for your region by going to Settings on an Apple device, tapping your name, selecting Subscriptions, and looking at Apple One options. Prices vary by country.
Three months free with a new Apple device purchase
When you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV box, you get three months of Apple TV+ at no cost. This offer applies whether you buy from Apple directly, from a carrier, or from a retailer. You do not have to do anything special to claim it — when you set up the device for the first time, you will be prompted to start your free trial.
The three months begin the day you set up the offer, not the day you buy the device. If you already have an Apple TV+ subscription, the free months will be added to your account and extend your current subscription. After the three months end, you will be charged the regular monthly price unless you cancel before the trial expires.
Carrier and internet provider promotions
Some phone carriers and internet service providers offer Apple TV+ free to their customers. T-Mobile, for example, has offered it free to certain plan tiers. Verizon has offered it as part of their Fios or 5G plans. These offers change frequently and vary by plan level and region. The length of the free period ranges from three months to a full year, depending on the promotion.
To learn about your carrier or internet provider offers this, contact them directly or check your account online. Ask specifically whether Apple TV+ is included in your current plan or available as an add-on perk. If it is, they will walk you through how to claim it. These promotions often require you to be a new customer or to upgrade to a specific plan tier.
How to check if you already have access
If you are not sure whether you have Apple TV+ included somewhere, start by opening the Apple TV app on any Apple device. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner and select Account. Look for a section labeled Subscriptions or Apple TV+. If you see Apple TV+ listed there with an active status, you have access. If it says "Subscribe" or "Start Free Trial," you do not currently have it.
You can also check by going to Settings, tapping your name, selecting Subscriptions, and scrolling through the list. Any active subscriptions will show there, including Apple TV+ if it is part of an Apple One bundle or a carrier promotion. If you bought a device recently and have not yet claimed the three-month trial, you can start it from the Apple TV app the same way.
What happens when the free period ends
When your free access expires — whether from a device promotion, a carrier offer, or an Apple One trial — you will receive a notification a few days before you are charged. At that point, you can either pay to continue or cancel. If you cancel before the charge goes through, your access ends when ready and you cannot watch Apple TV+ content anymore.
If you want to keep watching but do not want to pay for Apple TV+ alone, you can switch to an Apple One bundle instead, which includes it along with other services. You can also wait to see if another promotion becomes available through your carrier or if you buy another Apple device in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Apple TV+ free without buying a device or changing my phone plan?
No. Apple TV+ has no free tier on its own. The only ways to watch without paying Apple directly are through an Apple One bundle, a device purchase promotion, or a carrier or internet provider offer. All of these require you to already be a customer of something else or to make a purchase.
If I buy a used Apple device, do I still get the three months free?
No. The three-month promotion applies only to new devices. If the device has already been activated by a previous owner, the offer has already been claimed and cannot be used again on that device.
What if I already pay for Apple TV+ and then buy a new device?
The three months will be added to your account and extend your subscription. So if you have two months left on your current subscription, you will end up with five months total. You will not be charged twice during the overlap.
Do I need an Apple ID to use the free access?
Yes. You need an active Apple ID to sign into the Apple TV app and watch anything, whether you are paying or using a free promotion. If you do not have one, you can create it for free on any Apple device or at appleid.apple.com.
Can my family members watch if I have the free access?
It depends on the source. If you have a free trial on your personal account, only you can watch. If you have Apple One Family plan (which includes Apple TV+), up to six family members can each have their own account and watch separately. Check your subscription details to see which plan you have.