How To Enjoy Free Apple Music: A Comprehensive Guide

Cathryn Gaylord V 22 May 2025

Let’s face it, music is more than just sound—it’s an experience. And when it comes to streaming services, Apple Music is one of the big players in the game. But here’s the kicker: who says you need to pay for it right off the bat? If you’re wondering how to enjoy free Apple Music, you’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide will break it down step by step, so you can groove without breaking the bank.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of Apple Music and uncover some legit ways to enjoy it without spending a dime—at least for a while. Whether you’re new to the platform or just looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide has got your back. So, grab your headphones and let’s jam out!

Now, before we get too deep into the details, let’s talk about why Apple Music is such a big deal. With millions of tracks, exclusive content, and features like spatial audio and lossless sound, it’s no wonder people are flocking to it. But hey, why not enjoy it for free while you’re at it? Stick around because we’re about to spill the tea on how to do just that.

What Is Apple Music Anyway?

Before we dive into the free stuff, let’s talk about what Apple Music actually is. It’s not just another streaming service—it’s a whole ecosystem of music, podcasts, and radio stations all wrapped up in one app. The best part? It’s available on almost every device you can think of, from iPhones to Androids, MacBooks to Windows PCs. Pretty cool, right?

Here’s the deal: Apple Music offers a massive library of over 100 million songs, plus exclusive albums and playlists curated by experts. You can also create your own playlists, discover new music with Apple Music Radio, and even listen to music offline if you’re subscribed. But here’s the thing—what if you could enjoy all of this without paying a cent for a while?

Why Go for Free Apple Music?

Let’s be honest, streaming services can add up. Between Netflix, Spotify, and all the other subscriptions, your wallet might be feeling a bit light. That’s where the free trial comes in. Apple Music offers a free trial period that lets you test drive the service before committing to a paid subscription. And trust me, there are ways to extend this trial or find other opportunities to enjoy it for free.

Here’s the kicker: during the free trial, you get access to everything Apple Music has to offer—no limitations, no watermarks, no ads. So, if you’re on the fence about whether Apple Music is worth it, this is your chance to find out without spending a dime.

How Long Is the Free Trial?

Now, let’s talk numbers. Apple Music offers a free trial period of **three months** for most users. That’s right—three whole months to explore the platform, discover new music, and decide if it’s the right fit for you. And if you’re a student, you might even be eligible for an extended trial or a discounted subscription.

But wait, there’s more. If you’ve already used your free trial, don’t worry. There are still ways to enjoy Apple Music for free, and we’ll cover those in just a bit. For now, let’s focus on making the most of the trial period.

Steps to Start Your Free Trial

Ready to jump in? Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting your free Apple Music trial:

Open the Apple Music app on your device. If you don’t have it, download it from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Sign in with your Apple ID. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create one. It’s free and takes just a few minutes.
Once you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to start your free trial. Tap “Start Free Trial” and follow the instructions.
Verify your payment method. Don’t worry, you won’t be charged during the trial period unless you forget to cancel.
Enjoy the music! Explore playlists, create your own, and discover new artists.

Pro tip: Set a reminder to cancel your subscription before the trial ends if you decide not to continue. You don’t want to get hit with an unexpected charge.

Can You Extend the Free Trial?

What happens if the three months fly by and you’re not quite ready to commit? Can you extend the free trial? The short answer is yes, but there are a few tricks to doing it right. Here’s how:

One way to extend the trial is by signing up with a different Apple ID. If you have multiple accounts, you can use them to start new trials. Just make sure each account is linked to a unique email address and payment method.

Another option is to take advantage of special offers. Apple sometimes runs promotions that allow users to restart their free trial or get additional months for free. Keep an eye out for these deals, and you might be able to stretch your free period even further.

Student Discounts and Free Trials

If you’re a student, you’re in luck. Apple offers a special deal for students that includes a free trial and a discounted subscription rate. Here’s how it works:

Verify your student status through a service like Unidays or ID Check.
Sign up for the student subscription, which is usually half the price of the regular plan.
Enjoy the same features as the standard subscription, but at a fraction of the cost.

Pro tip: If you’re eligible for the student discount, you can also start a free trial before committing to the subscription. Double win!

Alternative Ways to Enjoy Free Apple Music

So, what if you’ve already used your free trial and you’re not ready to pay yet? Fear not, there are still ways to enjoy Apple Music for free. Here are a few alternatives:

1. Family Sharing Plans

If you have family or friends who are already subscribed to Apple Music, you can join their family plan. For a small additional fee, up to six people can share the subscription and enjoy all the features of Apple Music.

2. Free Trials from Other Services

Some services, like Amazon Prime or Hulu, offer free trials that include access to Apple Music. If you’re already subscribed to one of these services, you might be able to enjoy Apple Music as part of the deal.

3. Promotional Codes

Keep an eye out for promotional codes that offer free months of Apple Music. These codes are sometimes available through special events, partnerships, or even just by signing up for a new Apple device.

What Happens After the Free Trial?

Once your free trial ends, you’ll have a few options. You can:

Continue with a paid subscription. Plans start at $9.99 per month for individual users and $14.99 for family plans.
Cancel your subscription. No problem, you won’t be charged again unless you manually renew.
Switch to Apple Music’s free tier. Wait, what? Yes, Apple does offer a free tier, but it comes with ads and limited features. More on that later.

Pro tip: If you’re not ready to commit, cancel your subscription before the trial ends to avoid unexpected charges. You can always restart the trial later or sign up for a paid plan when you’re ready.

Is There a Free Tier for Apple Music?

Yes, but here’s the catch: the free tier of Apple Music is actually Apple Music Radio. It’s a great option if you don’t mind listening to curated radio stations instead of creating your own playlists. However, it does come with ads, and you won’t have access to the full library of songs.

Here’s what you get with Apple Music Radio:

Access to Apple Music’s radio stations, including Beats 1 and Apple Music 1.
Ability to like or dislike songs to customize your experience.
Ads between tracks, but still a solid option if you’re on a budget.

Pro tip: If you’re okay with ads and don’t need all the bells and whistles, Apple Music Radio is a great way to enjoy free music.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Free Trial

Now that you know how to enjoy free Apple Music, here are a few tips to make the most of your trial:

Explore playlists. Apple Music has thousands of curated playlists for every mood and occasion. Check them out to discover new music.
Create your own playlists. Personalize your experience by creating playlists based on your favorite songs and artists.
Try offline listening. Download songs and playlists to listen to them offline during your trial period.
Discover new artists. Use Apple Music’s recommendations to find emerging artists and hidden gems.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment. The free trial is your chance to test out all the features of Apple Music and see what works best for you.

Conclusion

So, there you have it—how to enjoy free Apple Music in a nutshell. Whether you’re taking advantage of the three-month trial, signing up for a student discount, or exploring alternative options like family plans and promotional codes, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Apple Music without breaking the bank.

Remember, the key is to make the most of your free trial by exploring playlists, discovering new artists, and personalizing your experience. And if you decide to continue with a paid subscription, you’ll have access to all the features that make Apple Music so great.

Now it’s your turn. Leave a comment below and let us know how you plan to enjoy free Apple Music. And don’t forget to share this guide with your friends so they can join in on the fun!

What Is Apple Music Anyway?
Why Go for Free Apple Music?
How Long Is the Free Trial?
Steps to Start Your Free Trial
Can You Extend the Free Trial?
Alternative Ways to Enjoy Free Apple Music
What Happens After the Free Trial?
Is There a Free Tier for Apple Music?
Tips for Making the Most of Your Free Trial
Conclusion

How to get a free Apple Music subscription

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