How to Watch Apple TV+
How to Watch Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is often described as a “premium” streaming service — and at full price, that’s true. But here’s the part many viewers miss: you almost never need to pay full price to watch Apple TV+, especially in the U.S.

With the right timing and setup, you can watch Apple TV+ free for weeks or months, or keep your monthly cost well below the standard price. This guide breaks down every practical, legitimate way to save money on Apple TV+, ranked from completely free to lowest long-term cost.

No tricks. No sketchy workarounds. Just options that actually work.

Smart Viewing Strategy (Save the Most Money)

Here’s the most cost-effective way to use Apple TV+:

• Start with a free trial

• Binge complete seasons

• Cancel

• Return later for another free window or discounted plan

Because Apple releases content weekly and in short seasons, Apple TV+ is ideal for subscribe-pause-resubscribe viewing.

First, What Does Apple TV+ Normally Cost?

In the U.S., Apple TV+ currently costs:

  • $12.99 per month (standard plan)

  • $99.99 per year (annual plan)

There is no ad-supported tier, and all subscribers get:

  • Full 4K HDR streaming

  • Offline downloads

  • Family Sharing (up to six people)

That’s the baseline — but most users shouldn’t start here.

The Best Way to Watch Apple TV+ for Free (Ranked)

1. New Subscriber Free Trial (7 Days)

Cost: $0

This is the simplest option. New users can start a 7-day free trial directly through the Apple TV app or website.

Best for:

  • Binge-watching one or two complete seasons

  • Testing the service before committing

Money-saving tip:
Apple TV+ originals tend to have short seasons. Seven days is enough to finish Severance Season 1 or Ted Lasso Season 1 if you plan ahead.

2. Free 3 Months With a New Apple Device

Cost: $0 (with purchase)

Buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device, and Apple includes three free months of Apple TV+.

Key details:

  • Must activate within 90 days of device setup

  • Works for new and eligible returning users

  • One of the longest free options available

Best for:

  • Anyone already planning to buy Apple hardware

  • Families who want extended free access

This is the best long free option if you qualify.

3. Apple One Free Trial (Up to 1 Month)

Cost: $0 during trial

Apple bundles Apple TV+ with other services via Apple One. New Apple One subscribers typically get a 30-day free trial.

Apple One includes:

  • Apple TV+

  • Apple Music

  • Apple Arcade

  • iCloud+ (and more on higher tiers)

Best for:

  • Users who want more than just TV

  • People already paying separately for Apple Music

If you were considering Apple Music anyway, this is an easy win.

Cheapest Long-Term Ways to Watch Apple TV+

If you plan to keep Apple TV+ beyond free trials, these are the lowest-cost legal options.

4. Annual Plan (Best Pure TV+ Value)

$99.99 per year (~$8.33/month)

The annual plan is far cheaper than paying monthly.

Who should choose this:

  • You watch Apple TV+ year-round

  • You follow returning series weekly

  • You don’t want to manage cancellations

This is the cheapest way to pay only for Apple TV+ itself.

5. Apple One Individual or Family (Best Bundle Value)

Apple One pricing (U.S.):

  • Individual: ~$19.95/month

  • Family: ~$25.95/month (shared with up to 6 people)

When split across a household, Apple One can bring the effective Apple TV+ cost close to zero, especially if you already use:

  • Apple Music

  • iCloud storage

Best for:

  • Families

  • Apple-ecosystem users

  • Cost-sharing households

Hidden and Overlooked Ways to Save

Carrier and Device Promotions

Mobile carriers occasionally bundle Apple TV+ with select plans. These offers rotate, but they’re worth checking if you already have:

  • A premium mobile plan

  • A bundled internet + phone package

Rule of thumb:
Never switch carriers just for Apple TV+, but always check if it’s already included.

Family Sharing (Legal and Free)

Apple allows Family Sharing with up to six people on one subscription.

That means:

  • One person pays

  • Everyone watches

Split a $99.99 annual plan across six people and the cost drops to about $1.40 per month per person.

How to Watch Apple TV+ Without Apple Devices

You don’t need an iPhone or Apple TV box.

You can watch Apple TV+ on:

  • Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio)

  • Roku and Fire TV

  • PlayStation and Xbox

  • Web browsers at tv.apple.com

This makes it easy to use free trials even if you don’t own Apple hardware.

Who Apple TV+ Is (and Isn’t) Worth Paying For

Worth it if you:

  • Prefer quality over quantity

  • Watch prestige dramas and limited series

  • Don’t mind weekly releases

Skip or rotate if you:

  • Want daily new content

  • Prefer reality TV or huge libraries

Apple TV+ rewards intentional watching, not endless scrolling.

Final Takeaway: The Cheapest Way to Watch Apple TV+

  • Best free option: New device = 3 free months

  • Best trial: Apple One free month

  • Best long-term price: Annual plan ($99.99)

  • Best shared value: Family Sharing + Apple One

If you plan smartly, most people should never pay $12.99 every month for Apple TV+.

The service is at its best when you treat it like a premium channel you dip into, not a permanent background subscription.