How to find free trial offers on streaming websites
Free trials are usually listed on the service's main website, often in a banner near the sign-up button or buried in the pricing page. Apple TV+ offers a seven-day free trial through its own site, but the catch is that many people find trials through bundled offers — a free month with a new Apple device, a discount through a carrier like Verizon, or a promotion tied to a credit card. The trial you see depends on where you look and what you already own.
The most direct route is the service's official website. Go to the Apple TV+ homepage, look for a "Start Free Trial" or "Try for Free" button, and follow the sign-up steps. You will need an Apple ID and a payment method on file, even though you will not be charged during the trial period. Mark your calendar for the last day of the trial — if you do not cancel before it ends, your subscription will convert to a paid plan.
Beyond the official site, trials hide in three other places: device bundles, carrier promotions, and credit card offers. Each has different terms and different expiration dates, so checking all three can mean the difference between a seven-day trial and a three-month one.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ offers a seven-day free trial directly from its website, but you must provide a payment method and cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.
- Bundled trials come with new Apple devices, Verizon plans, and certain credit cards — these often run longer than the standard trial and have different cancellation rules.
- Check your carrier's website and your credit card issuer's rewards portal before signing up on the streaming service itself, because you may may have access to for a longer or better trial.
- Each trial has its own expiration date and cancellation important date, so write down when yours ends and set a phone reminder a few days before.
Free trials bundled with Apple devices
If you own a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device, you may already have a free trial waiting. Apple includes three months of Apple TV+ free with the purchase of most new hardware. The trial starts when you first sign in with your Apple ID on that device, not when you buy it, so you can delay the clock if you want.
To check whether your device qualifies, open the Apple TV app, tap your profile icon, and look for "Subscriptions" or "Offers." If a free trial is attached to your account, it will appear there with the end date. You do not need to do anything to set up it — signing in is enough. The three-month window begins the moment you open the app on that device.
The device must be new or refurbished by Apple directly. Used devices sold by third parties do not carry the offer, and the trial cannot be transferred to another person or device. If you buy a used iPhone from a private seller, you will not see the trial in your account.
Carrier and wireless plan promotions
Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T periodically offer free Apple TV+ trials or discounts as part of their wireless plans. Verizon has offered three months free to certain plan holders. T-Mobile has bundled it with higher-tier plans. These offers change throughout the year, so what was available last month may not be available now.
To find out what your carrier offers, log into your account on their website or call customer service and ask specifically about Apple TV+ promotions. Do not assume you are ineligible — many plans include the offer automatically, but you have to claim it yourself through the carrier's app or website. The process usually involves clicking a link that takes you to Apple TV+ and signing in with your Apple ID.
Carrier trials often run longer than Apple's standard seven days and sometimes include discounts on the monthly subscription after the trial ends. Write down the end date and any discount terms before you accept the offer, because the carrier's website may not remind you when the trial is about to expire.
Credit card and bank rewards programs
Some credit card issuers offer free Apple TV+ trials as a cardholder benefit. Chase, American Express, and Discover have all run promotions where new cardholders or existing members get a free month or three months of the service. The offer is usually listed in the card's rewards portal or benefits guide.
Log into your credit card's online account and look for a "Benefits" or "Offers" section. Search for "Apple TV" or "streaming." If your card has an active promotion, you will see a link to claim it. Click through and sign in with your Apple ID. The trial will be added to your account, and the card issuer will handle the billing — you will not be charged during the trial period.
These offers are not permanent. A promotion that exists today may disappear next month, and a new cardholder offer may not explore to someone who has held the card for years. Check your card's benefits page every few months if you are interested in rotating trials across different services.
Where trials are hidden on the pricing page
Many streaming services bury trial information in small text on the pricing page rather than promoting it on the homepage. On Apple TV+'s website, scroll down past the main sign-up section to find details about the trial length, what happens when it ends, and how to cancel. The terms are there, but they are not the first thing you see.
Read the cancellation policy before you start the trial. Some services make it straightforward to cancel through the app or website. Others require you to contact customer service or navigate through multiple menu screens. Apple TV+ allows cancellation through the app or website, but the button is not always obvious — it is usually under "Manage Subscription" in your account settings, not in the main menu.
Screenshot or write down the cancellation instructions and the trial end date. Do not rely on the service to send you a reminder — many do not, and you will be charged if you miss the important date.
Checking for stacked or multiple trials
You cannot use two free trials on the same Apple ID at the same time. If you already have an active Apple TV+ subscription, you will not see a free trial option. If you used a trial in the past, you may not be able to start another one on the same account, depending on how long ago it was.
However, you can use different trials on different Apple IDs within the same household. If you have a family plan, each family member has their own Apple ID and may be able to start a separate trial. This is not a loophole — it is how family sharing is designed to work. Each person's trial is independent.
If you want to use a trial on a different Apple ID, you will need to sign out of the current one and sign in with the new one. The trial will be tied to that ID and will not transfer if you switch back to your original account.
What to do when the trial is about to end
Most services send a notification a few days before the trial expires, but not all of them, and the notification may go to an email address you do not check regularly. Set a phone reminder for three days before your trial ends. This gives you time to decide whether to keep the subscription or cancel without being charged.
To cancel, open the Apple TV app, go to your account settings, find "Manage Subscription," and select "Cancel Subscription." Confirm the cancellation. You will lose access to Apple TV+ at the end of the trial period, but you will not be charged. If you change your mind later, you can restart the subscription at any time, though you will not receive another free trial.
If you want to keep the service, do nothing — your subscription will automatically convert to a paid plan on the day the trial ends. Your payment method will be charged according to the plan you selected during sign-up, usually monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a free trial if I had one before on the same Apple ID?
No. Apple TV+ allows one free trial per Apple ID. If you used a trial in the past, you cannot start another one on that same account. You would need to use a different Apple ID to get another trial, though Apple's terms do not allow sharing trials across accounts for the purpose of avoiding payment.
What happens if I do not cancel before the trial ends?
Your subscription will automatically convert to a paid plan, and your payment method will be charged. The charge will appear on your next billing cycle. You can cancel at any time after that and will not be charged again, but you will lose access to the service when ready.
Do I have to give a credit card to start a free trial?
Yes. Apple TV+ requires a valid payment method on file to start a free trial, even though you will not be charged during the trial period. This is standard across most streaming services. Without a payment method, you cannot set up the trial.
Can I use a carrier trial and a device trial at the same time?
No. You can only have one active Apple TV+ subscription per Apple ID. If you claim a carrier trial, you cannot also use a device trial on the same account. Choose the trial with the longest duration or best terms, then use the others on different Apple IDs if you want.
Where do I find the trial end date after I sign up?
Open the Apple TV app, tap your profile icon, and go to "Manage Subscription." The trial end date and renewal date will be listed there. You can also check your email for a confirmation message from Apple, though not all accounts receive one.