Gone are the days that we have to carry around heavy CD players to bring our music with us, everywhere we go. In the age of streaming, we have access to millions of music from all over the world in the palm of our hands.
With accessibility on almost any mobile device and access to a wealth of music, streaming sites have become the first choice for many music listeners. Apple Music is one of the best. But if you can't afford a subscription, you don't have to miss out. There are plenty of ways to get Apple Music for free.
5 Ways to Get Apple Music for Free
While Apple Music is a subscription service, there are ways to get Apple Music for free through trials, limited-time deals, and more. Here are few methods to try Apple Music for free.
1. Use the Free Trial
For Apple device users who have never experienced Apple Music before, you can claim a three-month free trial. To do so, go to the Apple Music website and click Try it free.
Bear in mind that while the first few months will be free, you will be charged the monthly subscription fee afterward.
2. Watch Out for Partnerships
Every now and then, companies promote Apple Music to their members by offering free trials in exchange for things like signing up to their mailing list or joining a service.
For example, Best Buy had a six-month free Apple Music trial for Best Buy account holders. Verizon had a similar promotion for subscribers of its Get More Unlimited plan. While there are no permanent promotions and partnerships, you can follow social media pages for updates on new campaigns.
3. Use Promo Codes
Occasionally, Apple runs promotions for free Apple Music through other brands under its portfolio. In 2019, Apple released a special promotion with Shazam that generated six-month free subscriptions to Apple Music.
Occasionally, Apple also has special promotions for students. In 2021, Apple announced free six-month Apple Music trials for students taking bachelor and post-graduate degrees in the US and select countries. While there’s no telling if Apple will keep its student promo codes as a permanent pricing option, it’s a great way to get discounted subscriptions if you fit the bill.
4. Subscribe to Apple One
For many Apple users, purchasing an Apple One subscription can be beneficial for several reasons. Sometimes, it’s increasing your cloud storage capacity. Other times, it’s getting access to Apple TV. Thankfully, if you’ve found a reason to purchase Apple One previously, an Apple Music subscription comes along with it.
To subscribe to Apple One, go to Settings and click on your name. Select Subscriptions and, under Get Apple One, select Try It Now.
5. Create New Apple Accounts
Some users try to avoid paying for Apple Music forever by creating multiple Apple accounts and claiming free trials in succession. To do this, one must be willing to use new email addresses and cancel free trial subscriptions before they end.
While it is possible to do this, it’s not entirely sustainable nor recommended. Not only does this rob you of the chance of building your own personalized Apple Music library, but it also prevents artists from being properly compensated for their work.
How to Cancel Your Apple Music Subscription
If you’re not happy with Apple Music or simply prefer another streaming platform, you can opt to cancel your Apple Music subscription before your free trial expires.
Once you register for any of the promotions above, make sure to set a reminder to cancel the subscription a day before the trial ends.
How to Cancel an Apple Music Subscription on Apple Devices
To cancel your Apple Music subscription, you can use any of your devices linked to your Apple account. Go to Settings and click your name. Then, select Subscriptions. Under Active, select Apple Music and click Cancel Free Trial.
How to Cancel an Apple Music Subscription on Android
For Android users who aren’t happy with the Apple Music experience, you can cancel your subscription easily. On your Apple Music app, tap Listen Now > Settings > Account. Then, select Manage Subscription > Cancel Subscription.
Try Apple Music for Free Today
Unlike its competitors which make use of ads to provide free music listening experiences, Apple is decidedly a paid-only service. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t use it for free. After all, Apple understands that it’s hard to commit to subscriptions when you don’t know what you’re missing out on.
By using the methods above, you can try Apple Music for yourself and see if it’s the best way to listen to music for you. If you find that it is, you can support Apple Music by subscribing. By signing up for a subscription, you can help pay for the development of the streaming platform and the cost of compensating the artists that you love.