Apple TV has quickly become one of the most popular streaming services in the world, offering a range of high-quality content, including original shows, movies, and documentaries. With its user-friendly interface and exclusive programming, such as “Ted Lasso,” “The Morning Show,” and “Foundation,” Apple TV+ has built a solid fanbase. However, despite its popularity, many potential users may be hesitant to subscribe due to its monthly fees or simply because they are unsure about the best way to access the service.
If you’ve been wondering how to watch Apple TV for free, you’re in the right place. This article will explore multiple ways you can enjoy Apple TV’s content without needing to commit to a paid subscription. We’ll walk through various methods and provide helpful insights on how you can take advantage of Apple TV’s free trial, promotions, and other strategies to stream its offerings at no cost.
What is Apple TV+?
Before we dive into how to watch Apple TV+ for free, let’s first take a quick look at what it offers. Apple TV+ is Apple’s paid subscription streaming service. It offers access to a broad selection of original content, ranging from popular TV series to films, documentaries, and kid-friendly shows. The service is available on Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs, but it can also be accessed on non-Apple devices via smart TVs, streaming sticks, and even the web.
Apple TV+ is priced at $9.99 per month, with the possibility of family sharing up to six people. Despite this subscription fee, Apple offers a range of methods for users to watch Apple TV for free or at a discounted rate, and these will be explored in the sections below.
1. Take Advantage of Apple’s Free Trial
One of the easiest ways to watch Apple TV+ for free is to take advantage of the free trial period offered to new users. Apple offers a 7-day free trial for all new customers who sign up for Apple TV+. This trial gives you full access to all of Apple’s original content, without any restrictions. Here’s how you can make use of it:
How to Start a Free Trial
Visit the Apple TV+ Website: You can sign up for Apple TV+ directly through the Apple TV app or via the Apple TV+ website.
Create an Apple ID: If you don’t already have an Apple ID, you will need to create one.
Select the Free Trial: Upon signing up, choose the free 7-day trial option. You’ll be asked to input payment details, but you won’t be charged until after the trial ends.
Start Watching: Once your account is set up, you can start streaming right away.
It’s important to note that if you don’t cancel before the trial expires, you’ll be charged the standard $9.99 monthly fee. To avoid this, make sure to set a reminder to cancel the subscription before the 7 days are up.
2. Get Apple TV+ Free with New Apple Devices
If you’ve recently purchased an Apple device, such as an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV, you may be eligible for an extended free trial of Apple TV+. Apple often offers promotions that bundle free access to Apple TV+ with the purchase of eligible devices. For example, Apple’s usual offer is a 3-month free trial for any new Apple device purchased, though this may vary depending on the promotion.
How to Claim Your Free Trial with New Devices
Buy a New Apple Device: When you purchase an eligible Apple device, the offer will generally be available.
Activate the Device: Turn on your device and log in with your Apple ID. During the setup process, you’ll be prompted to claim the Apple TV+ offer.
Enjoy Free Content: Once activated, you’ll have access to Apple TV+ for the duration of the offer, usually for 3 months.
Apple periodically updates its promotional offers, so be sure to check for any current deals that may extend the trial period or provide additional perks.
3. Use Apple One for Free Apple TV+
Apple One is an all-in-one subscription service that bundles several of Apple’s premium services into one plan. These services include Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud storage, and more. Apple offers several pricing tiers based on the services you wish to include, but there is one key advantage for those looking to watch Apple TV for free.
Apple One offers a free trial of 30 days, allowing you to access Apple TV+ as part of the package. If you already use Apple services like iCloud or Apple Music, Apple One might make sense as it consolidates these services into one bill, often at a slight discount compared to purchasing them individually.
How to Sign Up for Apple One
Go to Settings on Your Apple Device: Open the Settings app and select your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
Choose Subscriptions: Scroll down and select the “Subscriptions” option.
Select Apple One: You’ll see an option to subscribe to Apple One. Choose the free trial.
Enjoy Apple TV+: Once you’ve signed up, you’ll have access to Apple TV+ along with other services included in the plan.
Even if you decide not to continue after the free trial, Apple One allows you to cancel your subscription before the trial expires to avoid being charged.
4. Share Apple TV+ with Family
Apple TV+ supports family sharing, which means you can share your subscription with up to six members of your family. This is a great option if you have friends or family who already subscribe to Apple TV+ and are willing to let you share their plan. While you won’t get Apple TV+ entirely free in this scenario, sharing the subscription can significantly reduce the cost for everyone involved.
How to Share Apple TV+
Set Up Family Sharing: The person with the subscription must set up Family Sharing through their Apple ID account.
Invite Family Members: After setting up Family Sharing, they can invite up to six people to share the subscription, including Apple TV+.
Start Watching: Once invited, you’ll be able to access Apple TV+ through your own Apple ID, and everyone in the family group will be able to enjoy the content.
If you’re unable to get Apple TV+ for free from a friend or family member, this can be an affordable way to share the cost.
5. Watch Apple TV+ Free with Special Promotions
Occasionally, Apple runs promotions with other brands or services where they offer free trials of Apple TV+. For example, Apple has partnered with companies like T-Mobile, Verizon, and others to offer Apple TV+ free for a limited time as part of their promotions.
How to Claim Promotional Offers
Check for Partner Promotions: Visit the Apple website or look for advertisements from service providers such as T-Mobile, Verizon, or others who may offer Apple TV+ as a free perk for new customers.
Follow the Instructions: Each promotion will have specific instructions on how to claim your free Apple TV+ access.
Start Streaming: Once you’re enrolled, you’ll have access to Apple TV+ for the duration of the promotion.
Be sure to keep an eye on the Apple website and any promotional campaigns in your area to stay up-to-date on potential offers.
6. Watch Free Episodes on Apple TV+
Though Apple TV+ is a paid service, Apple occasionally releases certain episodes or full seasons of its original shows for free. This allows non-subscribers to get a taste of the content before deciding whether to subscribe. While this doesn’t offer full access to the entire catalog of Apple TV+ content, it does give you a way to watch Apple’s premium content for free on occasion.
How to Watch Free Episodes
Visit the Apple TV App: Navigate to the Apple TV app or the Apple TV+ website.
Browse Free Content: Apple will sometimes highlight free episodes or show trials in prominent sections of the app.
Start Watching: Simply select the content and enjoy.
Although this is a limited method, it’s a great way to sample the content Apple TV+ has to offer without needing to subscribe.
7. Keep an Eye on Limited-Time Offers
Apple occasionally runs limited-time offers or discounts for its services, including Apple TV+. These may include deals like discounted subscriptions or even free access for specific groups (e.g., students, educators). Staying informed about these offers can give you a chance to enjoy Apple TV+ for free or at a reduced price.
Conclusion
While Apple TV+ is a premium service, there are plenty of ways to access it for free or at a discounted rate. By taking advantage of free trials, device promotions, family sharing, and partner deals, you can enjoy Apple TV’s high-quality content without paying a dime. Keep an eye out for special offers and consider bundling Apple services through Apple One for even more value. Whether you’re trying to sample a few episodes of a new show or exploring the full catalog, these strategies will help you get the most out of Apple TV+ without breaking the bank.
Related Topics:
