Discounted Apple TV+: How to Get It for Less

Yes, you can get discounted Apple TV+ through a few legitimate routes: free trials, bundled subscriptions, and student plans. The most common way to save is to take advantage of the 7-day free trial, but longer promotions and bundles with other Apple services can cut the monthly cost significantly. This article explains every current discount method, how they work, and how to choose the best one for you.

Formula

The calculator above works out two things: the dollar value of a free trial, and the annual cost of a subscription. The formulas are:

Trial value = (trial length in days ÷ 30) × monthly price. This converts the free days into an equivalent dollar amount, assuming a 30-day month.
Annual cost = 12 × monthly price. This is simply the monthly price multiplied by 12 months.

Variables: t = trial length in days, p = monthly price in dollars. The trial value is an approximation because months vary in length (28–31 days), but it gives a close estimate for comparing offers.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: a 7-day free trial and a monthly price of $9.99.

Trial value: 7 ÷ 30 = 0.2333. Then 0.2333 × 9.99 = 2.33. So a 7-day trial is worth about $2.33.
Annual cost: 12 × 9.99 = 119.88. So a full year at $9.99/month costs $119.88.

The calculator shows the same results: $2.33 and $119.88. This tells you that if you only watch a few shows, a free trial might be enough, while a year-long commitment is a bigger decision.

Background: What Is Apple TV+?

Apple TV+ is Apple’s streaming service, launched in November 2019. It focuses on original series, films, and documentaries—there is no large back catalog of licensed content like Netflix or Hulu. The service is available in over 100 countries and can be watched on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TV, smart TVs, and the web at tv.apple.com. The standard monthly price is $9.99 in the United States, though prices vary by country. Apple also offers an annual plan that usually costs the equivalent of two months free (for example, $99/year in the US).

Unlike some competitors, Apple TV+ does not have a free ad-supported tier. The only way to pay less than the standard price is through promotions, bundles, or student discounts. The discounts are not always advertised prominently, so many people pay full price without knowing they could save.

How the Discounts Work

There are three main ways to get Apple TV+ for less than $9.99/month:

Free trials: New subscribers get a 7-day free trial. Occasionally Apple extends this to 3 months for new purchases of an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. The trial requires a valid Apple ID and a payment method on file, but you can cancel before the trial ends and not be charged.
Apple One bundle: Apple One combines Apple TV+ with Apple Music, iCloud+, Arcade, and sometimes News+ and Fitness+. The individual plan (TV+ alone) is $9.99/month, but the Apple One individual plan (TV+, Music, Arcade, 50GB iCloud) costs $19.95/month. If you already pay for Music ($10.99) and iCloud (50GB at $0.99), adding TV+ for the extra $8 is effectively a discount. The family plan ($25.95/month) includes all those services for up to six people, which can be a significant saving per person.
Student plan: Verified college students can get Apple Music at $5.99/month, and that plan includes a free Apple TV+ subscription. This is the cheapest way to get TV+ if you qualify—you pay only for Music and get TV+ bundled at no extra cost. The student verification is done through Apple’s UNiDAYS system and must be re-verified each year.

There is also the Apple TV+ annual plan, which costs $99/year in the US—that’s $8.25/month, a 17% saving compared to monthly. This is not a “discount” in the traditional sense, but it is a lower effective monthly rate.

How to Choose the Best Option

Choosing the right discount depends on your situation:

If you are a student: The student plan is almost always the best deal. You get Apple Music and Apple TV+ for $5.99/month total. That’s less than the price of TV+ alone.
If you already use other Apple services: Compare the cost of your current subscriptions to the Apple One bundle. If you pay for iCloud storage and Apple Music, the bundle likely saves you money.
If you only want TV+ for a short time: Use the 7-day free trial or a 3-month trial if you just bought a new Apple device. Cancel before the trial ends.
If you plan to watch for a full year: The annual plan is the simplest discount—no bundle required, just pay $99 upfront instead of $119.88 over 12 months.

Remember that Apple One and student plans require you to commit to a bundle—you cannot cancel TV+ alone without losing the other services. If you only want TV+ and nothing else, the annual plan is your best bet.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Many people think they are not eligible for discounts when they actually are. Here are some common issues:

“I already used my free trial.” Once you have used a free trial on an Apple ID, you cannot get another one—even if you cancel and resubscribe. However, if you buy a new eligible Apple device, you may get a new 3-month trial, even if you used a trial before. The offer is tied to the device purchase, not your subscription history.
“I have to pay for Apple One even if I don’t use all the services.” Yes, the bundle is all-or-nothing. But you can switch back to a standalone TV+ subscription at any time.
“The student plan is only for music.” No, the student plan includes Apple TV+ at no extra cost. The catch is you must be a currently enrolled college or university student, and you must verify your status each year.
“I can share my student discount with family.” No, the student plan is for one person only. Family Sharing does not extend the student discount to others.
“I can cancel right after signing up and keep the trial.” No, if you cancel, you immediately lose access to the trial. You need to keep the subscription active until the trial ends, then cancel to avoid being charged.

Costs and Comparisons

Here is a quick comparison of the main ways to get Apple TV+ as of 2025 (US prices):

Standalone monthly: $9.99/month
Standalone annual: $99/year (effective $8.25/month)
Apple One individual: $19.95/month (includes TV+, Music, Arcade, 50GB iCloud)
Apple One family: $25.95/month (includes TV+, Music, Arcade, 200GB iCloud, up to 6 people)
Student plan: $5.99/month for Music + TV+ (must be a verified student)

Compared to other streaming services, Apple TV+ is mid-priced. Netflix’s standard plan is $15.49/month, Disney+ is $13.99/month (or $7.99 with ads), and Max is $9.99/month with ads. Apple TV+ has no ads at any price, which is a point in its favor. However, its catalog is much smaller—only about 200 original titles—so the value depends on whether you like its specific shows.

Safety and Legitimacy

All the discounts described here are official Apple offers. Be wary of third-party sellers offering “cheap” Apple TV+ codes or accounts—these are often scams, stolen credit cards, or region-swapping tricks that can get your Apple ID banned. Only use Apple’s own website or the Apple TV app to sign up. If a deal seems too good to be true (like $1/month for a year), it is likely fraudulent. Apple does not offer lifetime discounts or unofficial coupon codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Apple TV+ for free forever?

No. The only free options are time-limited trials: 7 days for new subscribers, or up to 3 months when you buy a new eligible Apple device. After the trial, you must pay for a subscription or bundle. There is no permanent free tier.

Does the 3-month trial work if I buy a used iPhone?

No, the 3-month offer is only for new purchases from Apple or authorized retailers. Used devices do not qualify. The offer is tied to the original purchase, not the device itself.

Can I share my Apple TV+ subscription with family?

Yes, if you subscribe to Apple One Family or the standalone TV+ (which supports Family Sharing), you can share with up to five other family members. Each person needs their own Apple ID, and the family organizer pays the bill.

Is the student plan available outside the US?

Yes, Apple’s student plan is available in many countries, but the price and eligibility vary. In the UK, for example, it costs £5.99/month. Check Apple’s education page for your country to see the exact offer.

What happens if I cancel my Apple One bundle?

You lose access to all services in the bundle immediately. If you want to keep TV+ only, you must subscribe to it separately after canceling the bundle. There is no partial refund for the remaining days of the bundle.

Can I get a discount if I already have an annual plan?

No, Apple does not offer retroactive discounts. If you are on an annual plan, you are already paying the lowest standalone rate. You cannot switch to a bundle mid-year without canceling and losing the remaining value of your annual plan.

Formula used

in t | Trial length | days | 7 | 0 | 365
in p | Monthly price | $ | 9.99 | 0 | 100
out total | Trial value | $ | t / 30 * p | 2
out annual | Annual cost | $ | 12 * p | 2

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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