Apple Music’s six-month offer for $2.99 was real, but it expired on February 27, 2025. It was a U.S. promotion for new and other eligible subscribers—not a free trial, and not an offer available now. Apple’s U.S. page displayed different promotions when checked on August 18, 2026; the price and eligibility shown at checkout are the ones to verify before enrolling.
What the $2.99 Apple Music offer included
MacRumors reported the promotion on February 3, 2025. Apple offered eligible U.S. subscribers six months of Apple Music for one payment of $2.99, with enrollment available through February 27, 2025. Apple described it at the time as its “best offer ever”; that was promotional language, not an independently established ranking.
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The price worked out to about 50 cents per month during those six months, but the subscription was paid and automatically renewed unless canceled. The offer gave subscribers access to Apple Music rather than a restricted music catalog. It was a time-limited promotion, not a permanent rate.
Who could qualify—and why eligibility was uncertain
The original report described the audience as “new” and “eligible” subscribers but did not spell out a complete eligibility rule. First-time subscribers were the clearest intended audience; the report did not establish that every U.S. user or every former subscriber qualified.
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- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
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- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
Apple promotions can depend on account history and other offer terms, so a previous trial or subscription could affect eligibility. The offer itself has expired, but for a current promotion the offer displayed in the Apple Music app or at checkout is a better guide than an old headline. Apple’s subscription instructions also say that a person or family can get only one trial or offer for Apple Music.
How redemption worked in 2025
The reported offer was redeemed in the Apple Music app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running the latest software at the time. Apple’s general enrollment steps are:
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- Open the Apple Music app and go to the Home tab.
- Select the trial or promotional offer shown there.
- Choose a plan if prompted, then confirm the Apple Account and billing information.
- Tap or click Join and review the displayed price and renewal terms before confirming.
The device and software details above describe the 2025 promotion; they should not be assumed to be requirements for Apple’s later offers.
What happened after the six months
Unless canceled, the $2.99 promotion converted to a recurring Individual subscription. The 2025 report gave the renewal price as $10.99 per month. That is the historical price reported for this offer, not a reliable statement of Apple’s current U.S. price.
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Apple’s U.S. page displayed an Individual plan card at $11.99 per month after its promotion when checked on August 18, 2026, but the same page’s FAQ still listed $10.99 per month. Because Apple’s page contradicted itself, check the amount and renewal date on the enrollment screen before joining. Apple’s U.S. Apple Music page is also where its current offers are displayed.
Apple Music offers displayed in the U.S. in August 2026
The following are the offers and prices displayed on Apple’s U.S. page on August 18, 2026. They are not guarantees of what an individual account will see: offers may be limited by eligibility, and prices can change.
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| Option | Offer and displayed price | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Three months for $1.99 for new subscribers; the plan card then showed $11.99 per month. | The page’s FAQ separately said $10.99 per month. Confirm the renewal price at checkout. |
| Family | Three months for $4.99, then $19.99 per month. | The plan can be shared with up to five other people, each with a separate library and recommendations. |
| Student | $6.99 per month, with the first month free for new subscribers. | Student eligibility must be verified. |
| Eligible-device offer | Three months free with an eligible device. | Check the offer terms and account eligibility; the page does not mean every device or buyer qualifies. |
| Apple One | Plans starting at $19.95 per month, according to Apple’s Apple Music page. | It bundles Apple Music with other Apple services; compare the bundle with the services you would actually use. |
These are U.S. figures; Apple’s offers and prices can differ by country or region. The page’s conflicting Individual price makes checkout confirmation especially important.
What an Apple Music subscription provides
Apple describes the service as offering more than 100 million songs, ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio, Spatial Audio, personalized recommendations, curated playlists, and access to Apple Music Classical. It supports Apple devices as well as Android, Windows, smart TVs, game consoles, Sonos, Alexa, Google Nest, and other platforms. Feature and device availability may vary.
Best Value
- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
- Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
Offline downloads are subscription access, not permanent purchases: when the subscription ends, Apple says subscribers can no longer stream Apple Music songs or play songs downloaded through the service. Music bought separately is a different category.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to cancel and avoid an unwanted renewal
For a subscription billed by Apple on an iPhone, Apple’s Apple Music instructions give this route:
- Open the Music app.
- Tap the account button, profile photo, or initials.
- Tap Manage Subscription.
- Follow the cancellation instructions and read the confirmation screen.
Apple advises canceling at least 24 hours before the end of a free trial or offer period. Its Media Services terms also warn that canceling an offer or free trial before it ends may terminate access immediately, and that the offer generally cannot be reactivated. Do not assume early cancellation preserves access through the last day; check the confirmation screen.
- If Apple Music is billed through Google Play on Android, cancellation may need to be handled in Google Play; see Apple’s guidance for subscriptions billed through another provider.
- If you cannot find a cancellation control, check which company bills the subscription. A carrier or another third party may manage it.
- If you join Apple One while an Apple Music offer is active, Apple’s terms say the offer is not necessarily paused; it may expire while Apple One continues to provide access.
Is Apple Music worth considering now?
The expired deal was a low-cost way to test Apple Music, but the value of a current subscription depends on what you listen to and which services or devices you use. The August 2026 Individual promotion offered three months for $1.99 to new subscribers, subject to eligibility and the renewal-price discrepancy above.
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Quick Recap
- It may fit well if you use Apple devices, CarPlay, HomePod, or Apple Watch, value lossless or Spatial Audio, or want Apple Music Classical.
- A Family plan may suit a household that will use sharing for up to five other people; each member keeps a separate library and recommendations.
- A Student plan may be worth checking if you can complete student verification and qualify for its displayed offer.
- Apple One may make sense if you already pay for several included Apple services. A bundle is less compelling if you would use only music.
- It may be a poor fit if you want permanent ownership of downloaded tracks, rarely listen, or would not use the recurring subscription enough to justify its ongoing price.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
