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Apple TV's 30-Day Trial: Best Ways to Stream for Free in September 2026

Discover easy ways to score a 30-day Apple TV Plus free trial—from device bundles and carrier perks to student discounts and promo codes—so you can stream hits for free.
Updated

Apple TV Plus has proven that quality over quantity is a winning strategy in an ever-crowded streaming space. Between massive hits like Severance and The Morning Show, it's easy to see why the platform is in such high demand. However, deciding to add yet another subscription fee to your monthly lineup can be tough. The good news is that testing out the service doesn't have to cost you a dime. By using Apple promo codes and taking advantage of various device bundle offers, there are plenty of risk-free ways to secure an Apple TV Plus 30-day free trial in 2026.

Does Apple TV Plus Offer a Free Trial?

Expired Offers

Apple TV+ Channel on Prime Video

Free 7-Day Trial

Amazon Prime subscribers can add Apple TV+ to their Prime Video lineup in 2025 and get a free 7-day trial to see what all the service has to offer! Be sure to cancel before your trial is up; otherwise you'll be charged $9.99 per month for the add-on. But for those that want to keep all their streaming services in one place, this is a great way to consolidate!

Apple TV+ Subscription

3-month free trial

Have you recently purchased a new Apple device? You may be entitled to compensation in the form of a 3-month Apple TV+ trial — for free! All jokes aside, if you've bought a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac recently from Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, you likely qualify for a free 3-month trial of Apple TV+ in 2025. However, this offer won't be available if you or your family have previously accepted a free offer for Apple TV+. Be sure to cancel your trial before it ends; otherwise you'll be charged $9.99 per month. Note that if you do cancel your trial early, you'll also lose access immediately and won't be able to reactivate your trial.

Apple TV+ Subscription

7-day free trial

Check out one of the most premium streaming services available in 2025 and get seven whole days to binge titles like Disclaimer, Silo, The Morning Show, Severance, and so much more. If you aren't sold, be sure to cancel before the trial is up — otherwise you'll be charged $9.99 per month to keep it.

Apple regularly offers three-month free trials with the purchase of a new Apple device, and some wireless carriers, such as T-Mobile and Verizon, include Apple TV Plus either as part of their plans or as a discounted add-on.

If you're lucky — or keep up with DealNews — you can often find extended trials of Apple TV Plus through various promotions and partnerships with other companies.

6 Ways to Get Apple TV Plus for Free This Year

Unlike most other streaming services, Apple TV Plus is part of a retail and tech giant that can seamlessly boost its products and services together as package deals. Naturally, Apple is the go-to spot to find the best deals and free trials on Apple TV Plus.

(For the record, Apple TV Plus refers to the streaming platform for which we're trying to source the best deals and free trials; Apple TV refers to the specific device some users prefer to stream shows, watch TV, and use Apple's larger smart home ecosystem.)

Thanks to partnerships with other tech providers, lucky shoppers can sometimes find longer free trials or heavily discounted and bundled services with another provider.

Unfortunately, several partner promotions expired in late January 2025, so keep checking the likes of PlayStation, Best Buy, Target, and Roku to see if extended free trials return. In the meantime, here's where else you can find the deals while we keep looking to see where else they pop up.

1. Sign Up for Apple TV Plus

The one-week free trial is the standard Apple TV Plus deal most likely to be available. Of course, you might luck into limited-time offers that extend the trial period for weeks or months, but you can at least count on a week to see if Apple TV Plus is a streaming solution you want to stick with for the long run. Here's how to get it:

  • Open the Apple TV Plus app on your device or head to the website here.

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  • Click on the "Accept Free Trial" button (or a similar worded statement, you get the point.)

  • From there, you'll need to sign in with your Apple ID and password or create a new account.

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  • Simply enter your billing info and confirm your subscription information, and enjoy!

Remember to cancel your plan before the week is up if you don't want to be charged the current rate of $12.99 per month. If you need assistance or missed your deadline and need to request a refund, head toward Apple TV's support center.

2. Buy an Apple Device

A three-month Apple TV Plus free trial is all yours when you buy select Apple products, such as new iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, or Macs. Once you've signed into your Apple ID on the new device and opened the Apple TV Plus app, the three-month free trial offer will present itself automatically to save you $30.

To be eligible, you'll need to buy a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac from Apple or an Apple-authorized reseller. Additionally, this new device must be capable of running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or macOS. Once all those boxes are ticked, three months of Apple TV Plus for free are yours.

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3. Subscribe to Apple One

Apple One is the company's all-in-one subscription bundle that combines Apple Music, iCloud Plus, Apple News Plus, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple Arcade, and of course, Apple TV Plus. The service starts at $19.95 per month and, if you're interested in all or a vast majority of the services included, the value proposition is undeniably good.

Even better, the one-month free trial represents yet another way to bag some free time with Apple TV Plus.

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4. Use a Student Discount for Apple Music

Did you know that if you're a student enrolled in what Apple describes as a "degree-granting university," you can subscribe to Apple Music at a discounted monthly rate for up to 48 months? Well, it's true. You can.

Fantastically and generously, having an Apple Music Student subscription also grants you free Apple TV Plus. Since this subscription lasts for a maximum of four years, so too would your Apple TV Plus access.

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5. Maintain a Go5G T-Mobile Plan

T-Mobile users will be delighted to know they can get tons of free Apple TV Plus time. The carrier's unlimited premium data plans, Go5G Next or Go5G Plus, come with an Apple TV Plus subscription that's free for a whopping six months.

Even better, T-Mobile offers additional discounts on those plans to seniors (ages 55 and up), military service members and veterans, and first responders.

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6. Use a Verizon Plan With Unlimited Data

Can you hear us now? Verizon customers who subscribe to various unlimited data plans can sign up for Apple One (the everything subscription that includes Apple TV Plus) for just $10 per month. That gives individual users a 50% discount — for as long as you want.

Even better, existing Apple TV Plus customers can get this deal by signing up through Verizon's myPlay store.

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Bonus: International Apple TV Plus Trials

While most of these offers are exclusive to the United States, we uncovered several similar partnerships with mobile and broadband providers across the pond.

For instance, Sky customers in the UK and Ireland can receive a three-month free trial of Apple TV Plus as part of the company's VIP program (excuse us, "programme"). EE customers get a similar deal, along with those who subscribe to the aptly-named Three and join the loyalty club at Currys.

Has Apple TV Offered Free Trials Previously?

Apple TV Plus has consistently offered free trials since its launch. The standard seven-day trial has been a staple since 2020, complemented by promotional 3-month trials for new device purchases.

How Do You Cancel an Apple TV Plus Free Trial?

Canceling an Apple TV Plus free trial is straightforward. Just head to the Apple TV Plus app or website, sign in, and navigate to your account settings. Under the "Edit Subscription" section, simply click "Cancel Subscription." iPhone users can also cancel the free trial in the App Store.

What Does Apple TV Plus Cost After a Free Trial?

Apple TV Plus costs $12.99 a month. Unlike other subscription services and streaming bundles, Apple TV Plus only offers one plan at one price — no competing offers or complicated add-ons to navigate.

Comparing This Year's Streaming Alternatives

If you're not quite sure if Apple TV Plus is the answer for your streaming needs, we've compiled and compared the other platforms' free trials and key features.

Service

Free Trial?

Details

Apple TV Plus

Yes

7 days through Apple, 3 months with select partners

Hulu

Yes

3 days for Hulu + Live TV

Max

No

15% discount on annual plans or bundle with Disney Plus and Hulu

Paramount Plus

No

23% discount for yearly plans

Amazon Prime Video

Yes

30 days-6 months for Amazon Prime, then $14.99/month

Peacock

No

Limited-time offer of one year for $29.99 (regularly priced at $79.99)

Netflix

No

Several Netflix bundle deals can help save

YouTube TV

Yes

7-21 days depending on seasonal offers

What Can You Watch During the Apple TV Plus Free Trial?

Apple TV Plus is known for original series such as "The Morning Show," "Ted Lasso," and "For All Mankind," which continue to attract viewers from all demographics.

Of course, viewers can discover a selection of exclusive films like "Finch" and "Greyhound," as well as engaging documentaries and special live events.

The second season of "Severance" debuted in January 2025, with Mark Scout and friends learning the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier that surgically separates the memories between their work and personal lives.

Still to come this year include Seth Rogen's "The Studio," a comedy series about saving a floundering studio as the industry undergoes rapid social and economic changes, along with the aforementioned — and as yet untitled — series from Vince Gilligan.

Now you know all there is to know about Apple TV Plus, along with the many, many ways to enjoy the platform without spending a single cent.

Are There Any Free Trial Limitations To Be Aware Of?

Free trials require payment details and are generally limited to new subscribers. Previous subscribers who canceled their memberships typically do not qualify for another free trial.

What Else to Consider About Apple TV Plus in 2026

While Apple TV Plus doesn't boast the massive back catalog of licensed 90s sitcoms or legacy blockbusters that some of its competitors do, it remains unmatched in its ratio of high-quality original programming. By leaning heavily into prestige television and star-studded exclusive movies, the platform delivers exceptional value for its monthly asking price, provided you are looking for brand-new stories rather than background noise.

However, as with any digital subscription, you have to keep an eye on the calendar. Whether you snag a 30-day trial via a promo code or a 3-month trial bundled with a new device, the service will automatically renew at the standard monthly rate once the promotional period ends. To avoid unexpected charges on your credit card, we highly recommend reviewing the terms and conditions before signing up, and setting a reminder on your phone to cancel your membership a day or two before the trial expires if you decide it's not a fit.

How We Find and Verify Apple TV Plus Promos

Instead of relying on automated bots to scrape the web for expired streaming promotions, the DealNews team treats deal-hunting as a rigorous editorial process. For over 25 years, we've manually hunted down and tested the best discounts on everything from tech gadgets to digital subscriptions. When it comes to Apple streaming, we know the landscape is tricky—"free" offers often come with hidden strings or exclude returning users.

To guarantee you get genuine, usable value, our strict verification process includes:

  • Testing Digital Subscriptions Directly: Our experts don't just glance at a promotional banner. Senior Editor Julie Ramhold actively tests checkout loops and digital cart requirements firsthand. For instance, when tracking a recent Best Buy Apple Gift Card promotion that bundled in free streaming perks, she manually verified the face-value terms to ensure the trial actually applied for readers, rather than dead-ending at an invalid payment screen.

  • Daily Audits and Historical Tracking: Content Editor Jason Savage brings over a decade of cost-cutting mastery to our daily offer updates, continually cross-referencing Apple trial promos against historical data. Managing the diverse entertainment needs of five kids spanning 11 years is no small feat, which is why Jason relies on Apple TV's premium ecosystem for everything from high-end 4K streaming for video games to educational documentaries that satisfy his constant desire to learn. (And yes, if he's watching wrestling while snacking on a Slim Jim, he'll still remind you he's no relation to the "Macho Man.") When tracking a massive clearance event for the Apple TV 4K that included a bundled subscription, Jason verified the trial applied directly to the high-ticket streaming box, ensuring readers weren't just being baited by discounts on low-value accessories.

  • Deciphering the Fine Print: Streaming platforms are notorious for strict promotional rules. We dig into the legal disclosures so you don't have to, highlighting upfront whether a trial code is for new subscribers only or if returning viewers can take advantage of the workaround.

  • Monitoring Partner Channels: We track Apple's newsletters, targeted marketing campaigns, and third-party promotions (like those from Target, Roku, or PlayStation) to capture exclusive streaming codes before they hit public forums.

  • Maintaining Editorial Independence: While we may earn a commission when you save using our links, our verification is entirely independent. If a streaming workaround or free trial link doesn't actively work, it doesn't make the cut—period.

Stay Updated on the Latest Apple TV Plus Promo Codes

Apple is always releasing new promo codes, exclusive partner offers, and limited-time hardware discounts—sometimes with little warning. To make sure you never miss out on the best ways to stream for free:

  • Bookmark this page: We regularly update our list of verified Apple TV promo codes and deals, so check back before every new season premiere.

  • Sign up for deal alerts: Subscribe to our DealNews Select newsletter to get the hottest streaming discounts delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

  • Set a custom deal alert: Create a personalized deal alert for Apple TV Plus or your favorite streaming devices and receive instant notifications when a new promo goes live.

  • Follow us on social media: We frequently share flash promo codes and exclusive tech deals on our social channels. Follow us here:

Staying proactive is the best way to maximize your Apple savings all year long!

Senior Editors

A merging of our Streaming Services roundup writers into a singular, binge-watching, channel-surfing organism of expertise. Come for the convenient consolidation of promotions, promo codes, and free trials on top entertainment platforms like Disney Plus, YouTube TV, and Hulu—plus live sports streaming passes for the NFL, UFC, and beyond—stay for the rapid descent into absolute nonsense. Curated and manually verified by seasoned DealNews leaders Julie Ramhold and Jason Savage.

DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).

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