The main ways to watch Apple TV+ without a monthly charge
Apple TV+ does not offer a permanent free tier, but you can watch without paying through a trial period, a bundled service, or a promotional offer tied to a device purchase. The most common route is a free trial that lasts seven days — Apple offers this to new subscribers who have never had the service before. If you own certain Apple devices or subscribe to Apple One, you may already have access included at no extra cost.
The catch is that free access is temporary or conditional. Once a trial ends, you pay the monthly fee unless you cancel. If your free period came bundled with a device or service, it lasts only as long as that bundle does. Understanding which option applies to you depends on what you own and what you have already subscribed to.
Key Takeaways
- New subscribers can watch Apple TV+ free for seven days without entering a payment method, though Apple may ask for one to set up the account.
- If you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device, you receive three months of Apple TV+ free, starting when you first set up the device.
- Apple One bundles include Apple TV+ along with other services; the free trial period applies to the bundle, not just the TV service.
- Some carriers and internet providers offer Apple TV+ free for a set period as part of a phone plan or broadband package; check your bill or contact your provider to confirm.
- Once any free period ends, the subscription converts to a paid monthly plan unless you cancel before the trial expires.
The seven-day free trial for new subscribers
If you have never had an Apple TV+ subscription, you can start a seven-day trial at no cost. You create an Apple ID (or use an existing one), go to the Apple TV+ sign-up page, and choose the trial. Apple may ask for a payment method to complete the account, but you will not be charged during the trial week.
The trial begins the moment you set up it, not when you first watch something. If you sign up on a Monday, your seven days end the following Monday at the same time. Set a reminder to cancel before day seven ends if you do not want to be charged. Cancellation happens in your Apple ID settings under Subscriptions — you can do it anytime during the trial, and you will keep access through the end of the seven days.
Free Apple TV+ with a new device purchase
When you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV box, you receive three months of Apple TV+ free. This offer applies only to new devices purchased from Apple or an authorized retailer, not refurbished or secondhand units. The free period starts when you set up the device for the first time, not when you buy it.
To claim the offer, you set up the device using your Apple ID, and the system will prompt you to start the free trial. If you skip the prompt during setup, you can still claim it later through the App Store or Apple TV app on that device. The three-month period is separate from the seven-day trial — if you already used your trial on another device or account, you can still get the three months with a new device.
Apple One bundle trials
Apple One is a bundle that combines Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud+ storage, and other services into one monthly payment. If you start a trial for Apple One, you get all included services free for the trial period, which is usually seven days for new subscribers. This is different from starting an Apple TV+ trial alone — you are testing the entire bundle.
Apple One comes in three tiers: Individual (Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud+ 50GB), Family (the same services plus up to five family members), and Premier (which adds Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and more storage). The trial covers whichever tier you choose. If you cancel before the trial ends, you lose access to all services in the bundle. If you keep it, you pay the monthly price for that tier.
Carrier and provider promotions
Some mobile carriers and internet providers include Apple TV+ free with certain plans. Verizon, for example, has offered free Apple TV+ with select Fios or mobile plans. T-Mobile has run promotions giving free months to certain customers. These offers change frequently and vary by location and plan type.
To learn about your carrier or provider offers Apple TV+, check your bill, log into your account online, or call customer service and ask directly. If you are may be able to access, the provider will tell you how to claim it and how long the offer lasts. Some promotions are automatic — the service appears in your account without action. Others require you to enter a code or click a link to set up.
What happens when the free period ends
Once your trial or promotional period expires, your account converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel beforehand. Apple will charge your payment method on the first day after the free period ends. The monthly cost for Apple TV+ is the same regardless of how you started — whether you came through a trial, a device offer, or a bundle.
To avoid being charged, cancel your subscription before the free period ends. You can cancel in your Apple ID settings under Subscriptions, and the process takes seconds. You will keep access to Apple TV+ through the end of your free period, even after you cancel. If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you may not be able to use another trial — Apple typically allows only one trial per account.
Watching Apple TV+ content during a free period
During any free trial or promotional period, you have full access to the entire Apple TV+ library. This includes original series, films, documentaries, and sports content that Apple produces. You can watch on any device where you are signed into your Apple ID — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or the web at tv.apple.com.
You can read episodes to watch offline, create a watchlist, and use all the same features as a paying subscriber. The only limit is time: once the free period ends, you lose access unless you pay or find another way to get it free. There is no partial access or limited content tier for trial users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the seven-day trial if I already had Apple TV+ in the past?
No. The trial is only for people who have never subscribed to Apple TV+ before. If you had the service previously and let it lapse, you cannot use another trial. You would need to pay for a new subscription or wait for a device offer or carrier promotion.
Do I have to enter a credit card to start the free trial?
Apple may ask for a payment method when you set up the trial, but you will not be charged during the seven days. If you want to avoid entering a card, you can try starting the trial through the Apple TV app on a device, though Apple's requirements vary. Either way, canceling before day seven ends prevents any charge.
If I get three months free with a new device, can I also use the seven-day trial?
You can use both, but the timing matters. If you claim the three-month offer first, your trial period starts then. You cannot stack them to get more free time. If you have not used your seven-day trial yet, you could theoretically use it on a different Apple ID, but each ID gets only one trial.
What if my carrier says they offer free Apple TV+ but I do not see it in my account?
Contact your carrier's customer service and provide your phone number or account number. They can confirm whether you are part of the promotion and help you set up it. Some offers require a code that you enter in the Apple TV app or your Apple ID settings. If you are not may be able to access, the carrier will tell you why.
Can I share my Apple TV+ account with family during a free trial?
Yes. You can set up Family Sharing on your Apple ID, and up to five family members can watch using the same subscription. This works the same way during a trial as it does with a paid account. When the trial ends and you cancel, all family members lose access.