Want to enjoy Apple Music without paying the monthly subscription fee? In 2026, there are several legitimate ways to get Apple Music for free — from free trials to bundled offers and student discounts. This guide covers every method so you can start streaming millions of songs without spending a dime.
Apple Music Free Trial — What You Get
Apple Music offers a 1-month free trial for new subscribers. During the trial, you get full access to the entire Apple Music library of over 100 million songs, lossless audio, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and offline listening. You’ll need a valid payment method to sign up, but you won’t be charged until the trial ends. Remember to cancel before the trial expires if you don’t want to be billed.
How to Get Apple Music Free for Students
Students can get Apple Music at a heavily discounted rate — currently $5.99/month (vs. $10.99 for individuals). To qualify, you need to verify your student status through UNiDAYS. Simply sign up at music.apple.com/student, connect your UNiDAYS account, and verify your enrollment. Your student plan renews monthly and includes full Apple Music access. Eligibility must be re-verified each year.
Get Apple Music Free with Apple One
Apple One bundles Apple Music with Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ storage starting at $19.95/month — saving money if you already use multiple Apple services. New subscribers get a free trial of Apple One, which includes Apple Music access during the trial period.
Free Apple Music via Carrier Deals
Several mobile carriers include Apple Music as a free perk with their plans:
- T-Mobile — Magenta and Magenta Max plans include Apple TV+ free; check current promotions for Apple Music bundles
- Verizon — Select Unlimited plans include Apple One or Apple Music as a free add-on
- Sprint (now T-Mobile) — Legacy Sprint customers may still have Apple Music included
Check your carrier’s current promotions page or contact customer support to see if you qualify for a free Apple Music subscription with your existing plan.
Earn Apple Music Gift Cards Through Reward Apps
You can earn free Apple Gift Cards — which can be used to pay for Apple Music subscriptions — through these reward platforms:
- Swagbucks — Complete surveys and watch videos to earn SB points redeemable for Apple Gift Cards
- Microsoft Rewards — Use Bing search daily to earn points and redeem for Apple Gift Cards
- Google Opinion Rewards — Answer quick surveys for Google Play credits (not directly Apple, but usable on Android alternatives)
- Fetch Rewards — Scan grocery receipts to earn points toward gift cards
Apple Music vs Spotify Free — Which Is Better?
Spotify offers a free tier with ads, while Apple Music does not. However, Apple Music’s audio quality is significantly better — with lossless ALAC and Dolby Atmos support across its entire library. If you have Apple devices and care about audio quality, Apple Music is worth the subscription fee. But if you want completely free music streaming, Spotify Free or YouTube Music Free are better options.
How to Cancel Apple Music Before Being Charged
If you’re using the free trial, follow these steps to cancel before the billing date:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap your Apple ID at the top
- Select Subscriptions
- Tap Apple Music
- Tap Cancel Subscription
You’ll continue to have access until the end of the trial period, after which your subscription will not renew.
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