Apple TV+ is included free for three months when you buy a new iPhone
Yes, Apple includes a three-month free trial of Apple TV+ with most new iPhone purchases. This is not a permanent discount—after the three months end, you pay the standard subscription price unless you cancel. The offer applies whether you buy from Apple directly, from a carrier like Verizon or AT&T, or from a retailer like Best Buy or Amazon.
The free period starts the moment you set up your iPhone and sign in with your Apple ID. You do not need to enter a payment method during the trial, though Apple will ask for one before the three months expire if you want to keep the service running.
Key Takeaways
- New iPhone purchases come with three months of Apple TV+ at no cost, starting when you first sign in with your Apple ID.
- The free trial ends automatically after three months unless you cancel before the billing date, at which point you are charged the monthly subscription fee.
- You can watch Apple TV+ on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV device, and some smart TVs using the same Apple ID.
- If you already have an active Apple TV+ subscription, the three-month offer does not extend your current plan—it begins after your subscription ends.
- Canceling the free trial before it expires prevents any charges and does not affect other Apple services like iCloud or Apple Music.
How to set up your free Apple TV+ trial
Open the Apple TV app on your new iPhone and look for a banner or prompt about the free trial. Tap it and sign in with your Apple ID—the same account you use for iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. If you do not see a prompt, go to the Apple TV app's menu, select your profile icon, and look for "Offers" or "Free Trial" options.
The trial activates when ready. You can start watching right away without entering payment information. Apple will send you an email confirming the trial start date and the date your subscription will renew if you do not cancel.
What happens when the three months end
Three months after set up, Apple charges your payment method on file the current Apple TV+ subscription price. As of now, that is $9.99 per month for the standard plan or $19.99 per month for the premium plan with 4K and spatial audio. These prices vary by country and may change.
You will receive an email reminder a few days before the charge goes through. If you do not want to pay after the trial, cancel before that date. Canceling stops the charge and removes your access to Apple TV+ content, but it does not affect your iPhone, your other Apple services, or any shows you have already watched.
Canceling before you are charged
Open the Apple TV app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Account" or "Subscriptions," then find Apple TV+ in the list. Tap "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Free Trial" and confirm the cancellation. The app will show you the exact date your trial ends and when you would be charged if you do not cancel.
You can also manage your subscription through Settings on your iPhone. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select "Subscriptions," find Apple TV+, and tap "Cancel Subscription." Both methods work—use whichever is easier for you.
If you already subscribe to Apple TV+
If you had an active Apple TV+ subscription before buying your new iPhone, the three-month offer does not add three months to your current plan. Instead, the free trial begins after your current subscription ends. This means you get three months free once you stop paying, not an extension of what you already have.
If you want to take advantage of the trial, you would need to let your subscription lapse, wait for it to expire, and then set up the new iPhone offer. For most people, this is not worth doing—you lose access to the service during the gap.
Using Apple TV+ on other devices
Your Apple TV+ subscription works on any device where you sign in with the same Apple ID. That includes iPad, Mac, Apple TV boxes, and some smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and other manufacturers. You can watch on up to four devices at the same time with a standard subscription, or up to six devices with the premium plan.
read the Apple TV app on any of these devices, sign in with your Apple ID, and your three-month trial is already active. You do not get a separate trial for each device—it is one trial across all of them.
Other free offers that come with iPhone
Apple TV+ is not the only service bundled with a new iPhone. You also get a one-month free trial of Apple Arcade, which is a subscription service for games. Apple Music offers three months free with some iPhone models, though this varies by carrier and retailer. iCloud+ storage is not free with iPhone purchase, but you get 5 GB of free iCloud storage with any Apple ID.
These offers are separate from each other. Canceling Apple TV+ does not affect your Apple Arcade trial or any other service. Each one has its own trial period and its own cancellation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the free trial on multiple iPhones?
No. The three-month trial is tied to your Apple ID, not to individual devices. Once you set up it on one iPhone, it is active across all devices where you sign in with that Apple ID. You cannot get a separate three-month trial for each phone you own.
What if I buy a used iPhone—do I still get the free trial?
The trial is available only with new iPhones sold by Apple, carriers, and major retailers. Used phones do not come with the offer. If you buy a used iPhone from a private seller or a reseller, you would not be able to claim the free trial.
Does the free trial work outside the United States?
Apple TV+ trials are available in most countries where the service operates, but the length and terms may vary. Some regions offer different trial lengths or different pricing after the trial ends. Check your local Apple Store or contact your carrier to confirm what is available in your country.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Apple does not offer a pause feature for Apple TV+. Your options are to keep paying or to cancel. If you cancel and want to resubscribe later, you can do so at any time, but you would not get another free trial unless you buy another new iPhone.
What if I cancel my Apple ID—does that cancel Apple TV+?
Deleting your Apple ID also cancels all subscriptions tied to it, including Apple TV+. However, you cannot recover the subscription if you change your mind. If you only want to stop paying for Apple TV+, cancel the subscription through the Apple TV app or Settings instead of deleting your entire account.