Streaming music has become a bit of a shell game. You think you're getting a deal, then boom—your credit card gets hit for twelve bucks because you forgot about a "limited time" offer. But honestly, if you're looking for a free Apple Music trial in 2026, you shouldn't just click the first "Try Free" button you see in the App Store. That usually nets you a measly 30 days.
There are ways to stretch that out to six months. Or more.
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Most people assume the one-month trial is the law of the land. It isn't. Apple is surprisingly aggressive about getting people into their ecosystem, and they’ve tucked longer trials into places you’d probably never look, like the settings of a Shazam app or the bottom of a Best Buy receipt.
The 6-Month Gold Mine (Hardware Hacks)
If you recently bought AirPods, don't ignore the notification that pops up when you pair them. That is your ticket to a six-month free Apple Music trial.
This isn't just for the $500 AirPods Max, either. It applies to the standard AirPods (2nd and 3rd gen), AirPods Pro, and even most Beats headphones like the Studio Buds or Powerbeats Pro. You basically have a 90-day window from the moment you first pair those buds to claim the offer. If you miss that window, it's gone. Poof.
I’ve seen people buy a pair of Beats Flex thinking they’d get the half-year of music, but those are specifically excluded from the promo. Check your hardware. If you’ve got a HomePod mini or a new iPhone, the offer should be sitting right there in the "Listen Now" tab of the Music app.
Retailer Workarounds: Best Buy and Target
You don't actually have to buy a $1,000 phone to get an extended trial. Best Buy has been running a deal for years that people still sleep on.
Basically, you go to their website, "purchase" the Apple Music trial for $0.00, and they email you a code. Sometimes it's for three months; sometimes it’s four. The kicker? It often works for returning subscribers too. Not always, but if you’ve been away from the service for six months or a year, that Best Buy code can often "reactivate" your account for free.
Target Circle is another one. It’s their free loyalty program. If you’re a member, check the "Partners" section of the Target app. They’ve been known to hand out two-month trials like candy. It’s a bit of a hoop to jump through, but it beats paying full price.
The Shazam Secret
Shazam is owned by Apple now. Because of that, they use it as a massive funnel for Apple Music.
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If you’ve never used the Shazam offer, open the app and identify a song. Usually, a little banner will pop up offering a trial. In the past, these have gone as high as five months during the holidays, though in 2026, it's more commonly one or two months.
Pro Tip: If the banner doesn't show up, try scanning the QR code on the Shazam website from a desktop browser. It often triggers a different promotional path than the app itself.
Carriers and the "Permanent" Freebie
Verizon is the big player here in the U.S. If you're on one of their older "5G Get More" plans, Apple Music is just... included. Like, forever. Or at least as long as you keep the plan.
For the newer "Unlimited" tiers, they usually offer a six-month "on us" period. You have to go into the My Verizon app, hit the "Services & Perks" section, and manually toggle it on. If you don't toggle it, you're literally leaving money on the table.
In the UK, EE does something similar. Text "MUSIC" to 150. If you’re eligible, they’ll send you a link for six months. It’s probably the easiest way to get it if you’re already a customer.
The Student Loophole (and Apple TV+)
If you’re a student, the free Apple Music trial is just the tip of the iceberg. You get a month free, sure, but then the price drops to $5.99.
The real value? They throw in Apple TV+ for free. No extra charge.
Apple uses UNiDAYS to verify this, so you’ll need a working .edu email or a student ID. You can keep this rate for up to 48 months. If you’re a student and you’re paying for both Music and TV+ separately, you’re doing it wrong. Stop that.
Why Your Code Might Not Work
It’s annoying when you find a link for a 3-month trial and it tells you "Code limit reached."
Apple tracks this by your Apple ID. If you’ve redeemed a "new subscriber" offer in the last year, you’re probably blocked from the others. However, "returning subscriber" offers (like the ones from Best Buy or occasional email blasts from Apple) have a different logic. They usually require your account to have been inactive for at least 30 to 90 days.
Managing the "Trial Trap"
We've all been there. You sign up, you love the spatial audio, you forget the date, and suddenly you're $10.99 poorer.
The "hack" here is simple: Cancel immediately. With most Apple services, if you cancel a free trial the minute after you start it, you still get to keep the access until the expiration date. You don't have to wait until the last day. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and hit cancel right now. The timer keeps ticking, but your wallet is safe.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you want the longest possible free period right now, do this:
- Check your Settings: If you bought a device in the last 3 months, look for the "Apple Music for 6 Months" banner at the top of your iPhone settings menu.
- Hit Best Buy: Search "free Apple Music" on BestBuy.com. Add the $0.00 item to your cart and check out.
- Use Shazam: Scan the QR code on Shazam’s official website to see if you qualify for a 2-month "returning user" boost.
- Set a Calendar Alert: Even if you cancel early, set an alert for 2 days before the trial ends just to make sure the "Auto-Renew" didn't sneak back on.
There’s no reason to pay for music for at least half the year if you play these offers against each other. Just remember to use one Apple ID and keep it clean.