You’ve probably seen the ads. Or maybe you just unboxed a shiny new iPhone 17 and saw that little notification badge in Settings. It’s the "3 month apple music free" offer, and honestly, it’s the oldest trick in the Cupertino playbook. But here’s the thing—most people think they’re either ineligible or they end up paying for a subscription they didn't want because they missed the fine print.
Free music is great. Paying $10.99 a month because you forgot to toggle a switch in your iCloud settings? Not so great.
Right now, in early 2026, the landscape for these trials has shifted. Apple has become a lot stingier with the "standard" trial. Remember when everyone got three months just for signing up? Those days are mostly gone. Now, the 3-month window is a reward for buying hardware or being part of a specific ecosystem. But if you know where to look, you can still snag it without dropping $1,000 on a new phone.
The Reality of the 3-Month Offer Today
If you just go to the Apple Music website on a random browser, you’re likely going to see a "1 Month Free" button. That’s the new baseline. To get that elusive 3-month apple music free deal, you usually have to trigger a "qualified" event.
The New Hardware Loophole
Buying a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even a pair of AirPods (excluding the Beats Flex, strangely enough) is the most reliable way to get those 90 days. Once you pair your new gear, you have exactly 90 days to claim the offer. If you wait until day 91, it’s gone. Poof.
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Best Buy and the "Secret" Codes
Interestingly, retailers like Best Buy have been running a promotion that often outshines Apple’s own storefront. They frequently list a "Free Apple Music for up to 3 months" digital product for $0.00.
You "buy" it, they email you a code.
The catch? It’s technically for "new or qualified returning subscribers." If you’ve had a trial in the last few months, the system might kick it back or shorten it to one month. But for many, this is the easiest way to jump back into the library without paying.
Why Shazam is Your Best Friend
Shazam is owned by Apple, and they use it as a massive funnel for Apple Music. Even if you aren't a new user, Shazam frequently runs seasonal promotions.
I’ve seen cases where identifying a song in the app triggers a banner for 2 or 3 months free. It's hit or miss. Sometimes it's a "Holiday Special," sometimes it's just a random Tuesday. If you’re currently paying $0 and want to keep it that way, keep the Shazam app on your phone and check the "Settings" tab inside the app once a week.
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The PS5 and Gaming Console Perk
If you own a PlayStation 5, you might be sitting on a goldmine. For a long time, Sony and Apple have had a partnership where PS5 owners can download the Apple Music app and get up to 6 months free. However, by 2026, many of those "6-month" deals have scaled back to 3 months.
- Fire up the console.
- Go to the Media home.
- Download the Apple Music app.
- Sign in.
Even if you aren't a "new" subscriber, gaming consoles often have higher "code limits," meaning they might accept your account even if Best Buy's code didn't.
What Happens if You See "Code Limit Reached"?
This is the most frustrating error message in the Apple ecosystem. It basically means Apple’s internal tracker has flagged your Apple ID as a "serial trialist."
There is no official way to bypass this. Some people on Reddit suggest creating a new Apple ID, but that’s a headache. You lose your playlists, your "For You" algorithm gets reset to zero, and you have to manage two logins. Honestly? It's usually not worth the $33 you're saving over three months.
However, there is a nuance here. If you use a "Carrier Offer"—like something through Verizon or EE—these often bypass the standard "Code Limit" because the carrier is technically paying Apple on your behalf. If your mobile plan includes Apple Music "On Us," take it. It usually doesn't conflict with your previous trial history.
The "Family Plan" Strategy
If you’ve exhausted your 3-month apple music free options, look at your family. Apple’s Family Sharing allows one person to pay for the subscription and share it with five other people.
If your roommate or sibling gets a new iPhone and triggers a 3-month trial, they can invite you to their "Family." You get the full 3 months of access on your own private account (no, they can't see your embarrassing 2000s pop playlists) without paying a cent.
Don't Forget the "Cancel Immediately" Hack
The biggest fear people have with these 3-month trials is the "Auto-Renew."
Here is a pro tip: In most regions, you can sign up for the trial and cancel it five minutes later.
Unlike some other services that cut you off the second you hit cancel, Apple Music usually lets you keep the remaining 89 days of access. To do this, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Apple Music > Cancel Free Trial. Read the pop-up carefully—if it says "Your access will end immediately," wait. But usually, it says "You can continue to use this until [Date]."
Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking to start your 3-month apple music free journey right now, do this:
- Check Best Buy first: Search their site for "Apple Music Free." It’s the most consistent source for codes that work for both new and returning users.
- Verify your hardware: If you bought an Apple device in the last three months, open the Music app on that specific device. The offer is usually tethered to the serial number.
- Update your iOS: Apple often hides these offers in the "Subscriptions" menu under your iCloud settings. If you’re on an old version of iOS, the "Redeem" button might not even show up.
- Set a calendar reminder: Even if you use the "Cancel Immediately" trick, set a reminder for 85 days from now. Sometimes terms change, and you don't want a surprise $10.99 charge hitting your bank account because of a localized policy change.
The 3-month apple music free offers are still out there, but they require a bit more legwork than they used to. Whether it's through a Best Buy digital "purchase" or a lucky Shazam identify, you can easily go the better part of a year without paying for music if you're smart about timing your redemptions.