DiscountZAR Blog

Apple Music Free Trial: Eligibility, Billing and What Happens Afterwards

Adekiya Joscor · 27 October 2026

Apple Music usually offers new subscribers a free trial, most often one month, and longer introductory offers sometimes come with eligible Apple or Beats audio devices, Shazam promotions or carrier deals such as MTN's. Trials are for people who have not subscribed before, and they renew automatically into a paid plan unless you cancel at least a day before the trial ends. If you are not eligible, you can still get Apple Music cheaply through MTN billing, a family plan or the student plan.

Apple changes its offers regularly. The terms below reflect how Apple's introductory offers work as reviewed in October 2026; the offer shown in your Music app is the one that applies to you.

Who qualifies for the Apple Music free trial?

• New subscribers whose Apple Account has never had Apple Music, or in some promotions, has not had it for a set period.
• One trial per Apple Account, and Apple may limit trials per payment method or device.
• A valid payment method on your Apple Account, even for a free trial, so the plan can continue afterwards.

If the Music app shows a price instead of "Try it free", your account is not eligible for a standard trial right now.

Types of Apple Music offers

Standard new-subscriber trial

Usually one month free, shown in the Music app on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android.

Device offers

Buying eligible AirPods, Beats headphones or a HomePod has come with extended free Apple Music for new subscribers. The offer appears on the paired iPhone or iPad for a limited time after setup; claim it within the window shown.

Shazam offers

The Shazam app has periodically offered extra free months of Apple Music to new subscribers.

Carrier offers in Nigeria

MTN has offered eligible NIN-linked lines a free introductory period of Apple Music, activated by texting MUSIC to 8000. See our Apple Music with MTN guide.

How to start the trial

1. Open the Music app on iPhone (or Apple Music on Android).
2. Tap the offer banner or Try it free.
3. Choose your plan: Individual, Family or Student (student needs verification).
4. Sign in with your Apple Account and confirm. You will not be charged until the trial ends.

What happens when the trial ends

Unless you cancel, Apple charges your payment method the plan's normal price on the renewal date, then every month after. In Nigeria, the individual plan is about ₦1,700 a month when billed by Apple; see our Apple Music price guide.

If the first charge fails, for example because your card is blocked for international payments, Apple may pause your access and retry. Fix the payment method or cancel to stop retries. Our guide to paying for Apple Music in Nigeria explains the options.

How to cancel during the trial

1. On iPhone, go to Settings > your name > Subscriptions > Apple Music > Cancel Free Trial.
2. On Android, open Apple Music, tap the menu, then Account > Manage Subscription > Cancel.
3. Do it at least 24 hours before the renewal date.

With Apple trials, cancelling usually ends access immediately or at the end of the trial, depending on the offer. Check the message shown when you cancel. Songs you downloaded become unplayable once access ends.

Tips to avoid an unexpected charge

• Set a phone reminder two days before the trial ends.
• Screenshot the confirmation showing the trial end date.
• If you only want to test Apple Music, cancel immediately after starting where the offer says you keep access until the trial ends.

If you do not qualify

• MTN billing — pay from airtime for 30 days at a time.
• Family plan — join a real family group in your household; see Apple Music Family.
• Student plan — if you are at university; see Apple Music Student.
• Marketplace offers — compare music subscriptions on the DiscountZAR music marketplace, checking access type and duration.

Common questions

Can I get a second free trial with a new Apple Account?

Apple's offers are for genuinely new subscribers and may be limited by payment method or device. Creating new accounts to repeat trials can breach Apple's terms.

Do I keep my playlists after the trial?

Your library is kept for a while, and returns if you subscribe again, but downloads stop working when access ends.

Is the trial available on Android?

Yes, when your account is eligible.

Summary

Most new Apple Music subscribers get a free month, with longer offers through devices, Shazam or MTN. The trial converts to a paid plan automatically, so note the end date and cancel a day early if you do not want to continue.