It’s that annoying notification we all get. "Your subscription is about to renew." You look at the $10.99 charge and wonder why new users get to have all the fun with those shiny three-month trials. Honestly, being a loyal subscriber feels like a penalty sometimes. But here is the thing: a free apple music code for existing users isn't actually a myth. It’s just buried under layers of partner deals and "returning subscriber" fine print that most people scroll past.
You’ve probably seen the "new users only" tag on almost everything. It’s frustrating. Yet, companies like Shazam, Best Buy, and even Target are constantly looking to keep you in the ecosystem. They don't always need you to be brand new; they just need you to be active through their specific portal. I’ve seen people stack months of service without paying a dime just by knowing which links still work in 2026.
The Secret World of Returning Subscriber Offers
Most "new user" deals actually have a secondary tier. If you’ve had a subscription before but it’s currently inactive, you are technically a returning subscriber. This is the sweet spot.
Apple’s own partnership with the NFL is a prime example. While they advertise three months for newbies, they almost always give two months free to returning users. You just have to hit the link when you don't have an active paid plan running. It’s like a "welcome back" gift they don't shout about from the rooftops.
Best Buy Is Surprisingly Generous
Best Buy is the heavy hitter here. They’ve had a "digital download" for Apple Music listed on their site for years. It costs $0.00. You "buy" it, they email you a code, and you redeem it.
- New Users: Get 4 months.
- Existing/Returning Users: Usually get 2 or 3 months.
- The Catch: You cannot have a currently active subscription when you click "Redeem."
I’ve heard from people who do this every few months. They let their sub lapse for a day, go to Best Buy, "purchase" the free code, and boom—back in business. It doesn't always work if you’ve used the exact same Best Buy promo in the last 6 months, but they refresh the "SKU" or the offer terms often enough that it’s always worth a shot.
Why Shazam Is Your Best Friend
Shazam is owned by Apple, so their promos are legit. They almost always have a QR code on their website or inside the app. If you’ve used Apple Music in the past, scanning that code typically grants you one to two months for free.
It’s a different "bucket" of promotion than the hardware trials. This means even if you just finished a trial from buying AirPods, the Shazam code might still kick in. It’s basically a loophole because Shazam operates as a separate entry point into the music service.
The 2026 Promo Landscape
Current data shows that the Shazam offer for 2026 is active through at least February. If you’re sitting there with an expired account, just go to shazam.com/applemusic. It takes ten seconds. Worst case? It says you aren't eligible. Best case? You just saved twenty bucks.
Hardware Loopholes (The PS5 Trick)
If you own a PlayStation 5, you’re sitting on a goldmine. Sony and Apple have a long-standing deal. Even in 2026, the offer for up to 6 months of free Apple Music (or 3 months for returning users) is often tucked away in the "Media" gallery of the console.
- Fire up the PS5.
- Go to the Media tab.
- Download the Apple Music app.
- Follow the prompts to sign in.
Many users reported that even after they had used a phone-based trial, the PS5 "handshake" triggered a fresh extension. It seems the console redemption path bypasses some of the standard "one trial per person" checks that the App Store uses.
Mobile Carriers and the "Cancel/Restart" Method
Carriers like EE in the UK or Verizon in the US have "Inclusive Extras." If you’re an existing Apple Music user but you also pay for a high-end data plan, you are literally throwing money away if you don't link them.
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Verizon's "5G Get More" or similar 2026 plans often include Apple Music as a permanent perk. To make this work as an existing user, you usually have to:
- Cancel your direct-to-Apple subscription.
- Wait for the billing cycle to end.
- Activate the perk through your carrier's "Add-ons" dashboard.
It’s not a "code" in the traditional sense, but it’s a way to stop the $11/month bleed.
Target Circle Perks
Don't sleep on Target. Their Target Circle loyalty program is free to join. Once you’re in, they have a "Partners" section. They’ve been known to give out 2-month free Apple Music codes for existing users who haven't redeemed a Target-specific offer in a while.
When "Code Limit Reached" Hits You
You’ll eventually see it. The dreaded "This code has already been redeemed" or "You have reached your limit for this type of offer."
Apple tracks your Apple ID's history with promos. If you’ve been "churning" trials for three years, they’ll eventually cut you off. But here is a nuance: the limit is often time-bound. A "limit" might only apply to a specific campaign. If you used a Best Buy code in 2024, you might be eligible for a "New Season" Best Buy code in 2026.
Pro Tip: If you’re part of a Family Sharing plan, the "primary" account holder’s trial history might affect yours. If you want to use a free code, sometimes you have to leave the Family group, redeem the individual code on your account, and then stay solo for the duration of that trial.
Actionable Steps to Get Your Free Months
Stop searching for "generator" sites. Those are scams designed to steal your data or serve you endless ads. Instead, follow this exact sequence to see what you can snag right now:
- Check Shazam First: It’s the highest success rate for people who have already had a subscription. Go to their site or check the "Settings" inside the Shazam app.
- Visit the Best Buy Digital Deals: Search "Apple Music" on Best Buy’s site. Add the "Free for 3 or 4 months" item to your cart. Checkout for $0. Wait for the email.
- The "Add Money" Bonus: Sometimes, adding $25 to your Apple ID balance triggers a "2 months free" pop-up in the App Store "Account" section. It’s a targeted offer, but common for active spenders.
- Target Circle: Check the "Redeem" tab in your Target app. They rotate Apple services every few months.
- Wait for the Lapse: Most of these codes only work if your current subscription is OFF. Let it expire, wait 24 hours, then start trying these links.
If you’ve exhausted all of these, the only remaining "legit" way is to buy a new piece of hardware like AirPods or a HomePod, which currently triggers a 3-month window for any Apple ID that hasn't had a hardware trial in the last couple of years. It’s a bit extreme just for a music sub, but hey, if you needed new headphones anyway, it's a nice kicker.
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The reality of 2026 is that Apple wants you subscribed. They prefer you have a "free" month than no month at all, because once you build those playlists and "Love" those songs, the algorithm makes it very hard to leave for Spotify. Use that to your advantage.
Check your PS5 media tab or your carrier’s "Benefits" page before your next billing date hits. You might just find a code waiting there that saves you over $100 this year.