You’ve been there. You open the Music app, ready to hit play on that one specific playlist, only to be greeted by the dreaded "Subscribe Now" splash screen. Your previous trial expired six months ago. You aren’t a "new" user anymore, so you assume you’re stuck paying the full $10.99.
Honestly? You’re probably wrong.
Getting free apple music for returning users is actually one of the worst-kept secrets in the streaming world. While Apple's official marketing always screams about "new subscribers only," the reality is much more flexible. Retailers, shazam-ing apps, and even carrier bundles are constantly looking to juice their numbers. They don't always care if you've had a trial before; they just want you back in the ecosystem.
I’ve seen people stack trials for years without ever paying a dime. It takes a little bit of maneuvering, but it’s totally doable if you know where the back doors are located.
The Best Buy Loophole That Just Keeps Giving
Best Buy is basically the MVP for anyone looking for free apple music for returning users. For whatever reason, their system frequently resets eligibility.
They offer "digital downloads" for $0.00 that give you up to 3 or 4 months of service. Even if the listing says it's for new subscribers, returning users often find they can redeem a 1-month or 2-month "loyalty" credit instead.
It’s simple. You add the "Free Apple Music for 4 months" (or whatever the current offer is) to your cart. You check out—no credit card required if your total is zero. A few minutes later, an email hits your inbox with a link.
Sometimes, when you click it, Apple will say, "This offer is only for new subscribers." But more often than not, it’ll offer you a shorter duration. It’s like a consolation prize. "Hey, we know you’ve been here before, so here’s 30 days on the house."
Shazam and the "Seasonal" Resets
Shazam is owned by Apple, which makes it the most reliable source for codes. They run promotions tied to the holidays, the Super Bowl, or summer festivals.
Currently, the Shazam website often has a QR code that promises up to 2 months for returning users. I’ve noticed that these codes seem to work every 12 months. If you used a Shazam code in early 2025, there’s a massive chance the system will let you in again by early 2026.
The trick is to delete the Music app and reinstall it before clicking the Shazam link. It’s a bit of "voodoo" tech support, but it seems to help the app re-check your eligibility status.
Why Target Circle Is Actually Useful
Target has a loyalty program called Target Circle. It's free to join. Once you're in, check the "Partners" or "Deals" section in the app.
They’ve been known to offer 2-month trials specifically for "qualified" returning subscribers. "Qualified" is a vague term, but it usually just means your account has been inactive for at least 30 to 90 days. If you’re jumping straight from one trial to another, Target might bark at you. But if you’ve had a "dry spell" for a month, the code usually clears.
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Carrier Bundles: The "Nuclear" Option
If you're on Verizon or EE in the UK, you might already be paying for Apple Music without realizing it.
Verizon’s "5G Get More" plans used to include it permanently, but even their newer "myPlan" tiers offer a 6-month trial that is notoriously lax about your previous history. If you move to an eligible plan, you can often trigger a fresh 6-month period even if you were a subscriber five minutes ago.
- Verizon: Check the "Add-ons" section in the My Verizon app.
- EE: Text "MUSIC" to 150. They give away 6 months like candy to monthly contract holders.
- PlayStation 5: Open the Apple Music app on your console. Sony and Apple have a long-standing deal where PS5 owners get up to 6 months. Returning users often get 2 or 3 months here, even if they've used the PS5 offer before on a different console generation.
The "New Apple ID" Debate
Look, I get it. You don't want to lose your playlists.
Some people suggest just making a new Apple ID every three months. You can do that, but it’s a massive pain. You lose your library, your "For You" algorithm gets reset to zero, and you have to sign out of iCloud, which messes with your iMessages and Photos.
Instead of doing that, look into the Family Plan.
If a friend or family member has a Family Plan, they can add you. This doesn't care about your history. You could have been a paid subscriber for ten years; once you're added to a Family Plan, your individual billing stops, and you’re essentially getting it for free (or however much you Venmo the head of the household).
How to Check Your Eligibility Right Now
Don't just guess. You can actually see if Apple has a "win-back" offer waiting for you.
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your Profile Picture in the top right.
- Tap Subscriptions.
- Look at your "Expired" list.
Sometimes, tapping on the expired Apple Music subscription will trigger a pop-up offering a discounted rate or a free month to come back. Apple's AI is smart—if it sees you haven't opened the app in months, it might try to bribe you.
Actionable Steps to Get Back to Listening
If you want to maximize your chances of getting free apple music for returning users, follow this specific order.
First, go to the Shazam website and scan the QR code. It’s the highest success rate. If that fails, go to Best Buy’s website and "buy" the free trial. If you get a "Code Already Redeemed" error, wait 24 hours and try the Target Circle route.
The biggest mistake people make is trying to stack these all on the same day. These systems need time to "forget" your last session. Always make sure you've canceled your current subscription and let it actually expire (wait until you can no longer play songs) before trying to input a new promo code.
Check your "Redeem Gift Card or Code" section in the App Store manually. Sometimes typing the code in there works when the auto-link fails.
Most importantly, mark your calendar. Set a reminder for two days before the trial ends. If you don't, you're paying $10.99, and that defeats the whole point of the hustle.