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In the U.S., Apple TV+ cost $9.99 per month from January 1 through August 20, 2025, then increased to $12.99 per month on August 21. The annual plan remained $99.99 for the year. The standard direct trial was seven days for eligible new subscribers, while eligible buyers of a new Apple device could claim three months free. Apple One, the Apple Music Student Plan, and selected carrier offers were other ways to receive Apple TV access at a lower effective cost.
At the $12.99 monthly rate, the annual plan was the better standalone value for anyone expecting to watch for most of the year: twelve monthly payments totaled $155.88, compared with $99.99 annually. All prices in this article are historical U.S. prices for 2025 and may exclude taxes.
Terminology note: Apple called the service Apple TV+ for most of 2025. On October 13, 2025, Apple announced that “Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV.” This article uses Apple TV+ when discussing the 2025 price timeline. The subscription, the Apple TV app, Apple TV Channels, and the physical Apple TV 4K device are different things.
Apple TV+ price in 2025
Apple had two U.S. standalone price periods during 2025. Treating the entire year as one price produces an incomplete answer.
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| Period in 2025 | Monthly plan | Annual plan | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1–August 20 | $9.99 per month | $99.99 per year | Pre-increase monthly price |
| August 21–December 31 | $12.99 per month | $99.99 per year | Monthly price increased by $3; annual price stayed the same |
The August 21 increase raised the monthly price by roughly 30%. Contemporary reports from Bloomberg, CBS News, and TechCrunch said Apple did not raise the $99.99 annual plan or Apple One prices at the same time.
Apple attributed the increase to the growth of its Apple Originals catalog, describing the service as offering hundreds of originals and thousands of hours of programming. That is Apple’s explanation for the change, not an independent value judgment.
Is the $99.99 annual plan a better deal?
For a subscriber paying the late-2025 monthly rate, yes, provided the subscription is likely to be used for much of the year:
- Twelve monthly payments at $12.99: $155.88.
- Annual plan: $99.99.
- Annual savings: approximately $55.89, before taxes.
- Annual-plan equivalent: approximately $8.33 per month.
Before August 21, twelve $9.99 payments totaled $119.88, so the annual plan saved only $19.89. The monthly increase therefore made the annual option substantially more attractive.
The annual option was not always displayed prominently in every promotional signup path. If Apple shows only a monthly offer, check the plan or subscription-management screen and the checkout options before accepting. MacRumors’ pricing guide also documented the $99.99 annual option.
The annual plan requires paying upfront and is less flexible if you only want to watch one series. Monthly billing is more convenient for short-term viewing, even though it costs more over a full year.
What did an Apple TV+ subscription include?
The standalone subscription provided access to Apple Originals, including scripted series, films, documentaries, children’s programming, and other original shows. Apple described the catalog as ad-free and made it available through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, and the web. Apple did not offer a lower-priced ad-supported tier as part of the U.S. 2025 pricing structure.
“Ad-free” applies to the Apple TV+ subscription catalog. Apple could still promote its own shows inside the app, and the Apple TV app could display content from services with their own advertising or subscription rules.
Apple TV+ is not the same as the Apple TV app
- Apple TV+: the name used for the streaming subscription during most of 2025; Apple renamed it simply Apple TV in October 2025.
- Apple TV app: the application that brings together Apple’s subscription catalog, rentals, purchases, and third-party services.
- Apple TV 4K: Apple’s physical streaming device.
- Apple TV Channels: separate add-on subscriptions available inside the Apple TV app.
Apple TV+ did not include every title visible in the Apple TV app. A movie or show marked with a rental or purchase price was billed separately. Third-party Apple TV Channels and other third-party subscriptions were also excluded. Apple explains these distinctions on its Apple TV subscription page.
This article is U.S.-focused. Prices, available content, promotions, and eligibility differ by country or region, and Apple’s Media Services Terms say some services and content may be unavailable outside a user’s home country.
How long was the standard Apple TV+ free trial?
The normal direct Apple TV+ trial in 2025 was seven days for eligible new subscribers. After the trial, it automatically renewed at the applicable monthly price: $9.99 if the relevant subscription began under the earlier price period, or $12.99 under the late-2025 rate.
Apple normally requires an Apple Account and presents the subscription terms before activation. The exact payment-method requirements can differ between direct Apple enrollment, device promotions, student access, carrier benefits, and partner offers. The important practical point is that a trial is an automatically renewing subscription, not a one-time access code.
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How to get three months free with a new Apple device
In 2025, Apple offered eligible purchasers three months of Apple TV+ free after buying and activating a qualifying new Apple device. Apple’s materials identified qualifying categories including a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV 4K. The offer was not an automatic permanent benefit: it had to be claimed within approximately three months, or 90 days, after first activating or setting up the device.
Read the offer shown on the device and the applicable Apple promotional terms because eligibility depends on the exact device, seller, offer period, Apple Account, and subscription status.
How to redeem the device offer
- Set up and activate the qualifying new Apple device.
- Sign in with the Apple Account you intend to keep using for the subscription.
- Open the Apple TV app.
- Look for the three-month offer and select it before the redemption window expires.
- Review the post-trial price, renewal date, and cancellation terms.
- Accept the offer to complete redemption.
- Set a reminder to cancel at least 24 hours before renewal if you do not want a paid subscription.
Typical restrictions included one offer per Family Sharing group, no eligibility for current Apple TV subscribers, and no combination with Apple One or another Apple TV promotional offer. Previous acceptance of certain three-month or one-year promotions could also make an Apple Account ineligible. The subscription normally renewed automatically when the three-month period ended.
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If the device offer does not appear
Apple’s troubleshooting guidance recommends checking:
- whether the device and seller qualify;
- whether the 90-day redemption window has expired;
- whether another member of the Family Sharing group already claimed the offer;
- whether the offer was previously used with the Apple Account;
- whether the device software is up to date;
- whether the intended Apple Account is signed in on the eligible device; and
- whether the subscription was started through a carrier or another provider instead of Apple.
See Apple’s support page for problems redeeming a promotion. Also check the specific offer terms: some device-promotion terms state that canceling during the free period immediately ends access and forfeits the remaining free time. That can differ from how an ordinary subscription is displayed after cancellation.
Other ways to get Apple TV+ free or cheaper in 2025
Apple One
Apple One bundled Apple TV+ with other Apple services. The U.S. monthly prices documented for 2025 were:
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|---|---|---|
| Individual | $19.95 per month | Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud+ |
| Family | $25.95 per month | Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 200GB of iCloud+ |
| Premier | $37.95 per month | Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and 2TB of iCloud+ |
Apple One was not automatically cheaper for someone who wanted only Apple TV+. It became worthwhile when you would otherwise pay for several included services, particularly Apple Music and additional iCloud storage. Compare the bundle with the services you already use rather than assuming that a bundle is always the lowest price.
Apple says a new Apple One subscriber can receive one month free for services included in the bundle that the person does not already subscribe to. A service already subscribed to may not receive a second free month, and a recently canceled service may not qualify. An existing Apple TV+ trial does not pause when you join Apple One, and Apple promotions generally cannot be stacked with Apple One. See Apple’s Apple One support information.
Apple Music Student Plan
Eligible, verified U.S. students could receive Apple TV access through the Apple Music Student Plan. Contemporary 2025 coverage listed that plan at $5.99 per month, with Apple TV+ access included rather than billed as a separate subscription. This was not a $5.99 Apple TV+ plan; it was a student Apple Music subscription that included access to Apple TV content.
Student eligibility must be verified and can be checked again. Apple TV access ends if the student plan ends or eligibility is lost, and Apple describes the access as potentially limited-time. Apple’s support instructions also say this student-plan Apple TV access cannot be shared through Family Sharing. Because student pricing and wording can change, treat $5.99 as the reported 2025 historical price, not a permanent current price. See Apple’s Apple Music Student support page and the 2025 student-discount coverage.
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T-Mobile and other carrier benefits
Carrier access was plan-specific, not a universal Apple promotion. T-Mobile’s 2025 materials documented several different arrangements, including Apple TV+ with selected premium plans, six-month offers for some Go5G and equivalent plans, and Apple TV+ on Us benefits attached to newer Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. Separate sports promotions, such as MLS Season Pass, were not the same thing as an Apple TV+ subscription.
To check a T-Mobile benefit:
- Sign in to the T-Life app or your T-Mobile account.
- Open the plan benefits or add-ons section.
- Confirm whether your exact plan includes Apple TV+ or only a time-limited offer.
- Redeem it using the Apple Account you intend to keep.
- Check whether the offer is six months, a continuing plan benefit, or a discounted add-on.
- Review what happens if the promotional period ends or you change wireless plans.
Useful references include T-Mobile’s Apple TV+ offer page, its Experience plan announcement, and its rate-card material. Do not describe a carrier benefit as “free forever” unless the carrier’s current terms explicitly say so. Carrier benefits can be retired or changed, and cancellation normally has to be handled through the carrier.
Historical free weekends and limited-time promotions
Apple offered an all-access free weekend from January 3 through January 5, 2025. Apple said an Apple ID, now generally called an Apple Account, was all that was needed. That promotion expired and is not a current free-trial option; it is useful only as an example of the dated promotions Apple sometimes runs. See Apple’s announcement.
Deal coverage during 2025 also reported limited offers such as $2.99-per-month introductory pricing, partner-device promotions, Roku or gaming-device offers, and carrier-specific six-month or one-year access. These should not be treated as standard pricing. Their dates, renewal prices, eligible devices, and cancellation rules varied. For an example of a dated $2.99 offer, see Kiplinger’s 2025 coverage. Partner offers may use a different redemption or billing service, so follow the offer’s own terms.
How to cancel Apple TV+ before being charged
For a subscription billed directly by Apple on an iPhone, use this path:
- Open Settings.
- Tap your Apple Account name at the top.
- Tap Subscriptions.
- Select Apple TV or Apple TV+.
- Tap Cancel Subscription or Cancel Free Trial.
- Confirm the cancellation.
Cancel at least 24 hours before a free or discounted trial expires. The label may say Apple TV rather than Apple TV+ because of the October 2025 name change. Apple’s instructions are available in its subscription-cancellation guide and its iPhone-specific support guide.
Cancellation problems to check
- Deleting the app: removes the app, not the subscription.
- Google Play billing: subscriptions started on Android through Google Play must be canceled in Google Play.
- Carrier billing: T-Mobile and other carrier benefits or add-ons generally must be canceled or removed through the carrier.
- Wrong Apple Account: check the account that actually started the trial or subscription.
- Late cancellation: if the subscription already renewed, cancellation may stop the next renewal rather than reverse the charge.
- Different promotional terms: some device offers can end immediately when canceled, so check that offer’s rules before confirming.
If you believe you canceled in time but were charged, verify the exact cancellation date and time, the renewal date, the billing provider, and whether the offer had already converted. Apple’s terms say subscriptions renew automatically until canceled in account settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Apple TV+ option was best for each type of viewer?
| Your situation | Usually the best 2025 option | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| You want to watch one show and leave | Seven-day trial, if eligible | Cancel at least 24 hours before renewal; eligibility is limited. |
| You need only a few months | Monthly plan | Flexible, but it cost $12.99 per month after August 21. |
| You expect to watch most of the year | $99.99 annual plan | Requires upfront payment and may not appear on the first signup screen. |
| You already pay for Apple Music and iCloud+ | Apple One | Only saves money if you use enough of the other included services. |
| You are an eligible college student | Apple Music Student Plan | Requires verification and student access cannot be shared through Family Sharing. |
| You bought a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV 4K | Three-month device offer | Must be eligible and redeemed within the approximately 90-day window. |
| You have an eligible T-Mobile plan | Carrier benefit | Plan rules and duration vary; the benefit may end if the wireless plan changes. |
| You want only rentals or purchased movies | No Apple TV+ subscription | Rentals and purchases are separate transactions in the Apple TV app. |
Family Sharing and Apple TV+
A directly billed Apple TV+ subscription supported Family Sharing for the organizer and up to five additional family members—six people total. Family members use their own Apple Accounts, preferences, and devices. Apple’s Family Sharing support page explains the general setup.
This should not be confused with every discounted access route. Apple’s student-plan instructions treat the included Apple TV access differently and say it cannot be shared through Family Sharing. Carrier and partner promotions can also have their own account restrictions.
Can Apple TV+ promotions be combined?
Usually not. The ordinary seven-day trial, three-month device promotion, Apple One trial, student access, carrier benefit, and partner-device offer are separate mechanisms. Apple’s terms generally prevent promotional trials from being stacked with Apple One, and joining Apple One does not pause an existing Apple TV+ trial.
For example, buying an eligible iPhone while already subscribed does not necessarily create a second three-month period. A carrier redemption may also attach access to a different billing relationship. Before accepting an offer, check which Apple Account will receive it, whether an existing subscription must be canceled, and what price applies afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Apple TV+ $9.99 or $12.99 in 2025?
Both prices were correct, depending on the date. The U.S. monthly price was $9.99 through August 20, 2025, and $12.99 from August 21 through the end of the year. The annual plan remained $99.99.
Is Apple TV+ free with a new iPhone?
Eligible buyers of a qualifying new iPhone and other qualifying Apple devices could claim three months free in 2025. The offer had to be redeemed within approximately 90 days of activation, was generally limited by Apple Account and Family Sharing eligibility rules, and renewed automatically afterward.
How long was the normal Apple TV+ free trial?
The standard direct trial was seven days for eligible new subscribers. Device, student, carrier, and partner promotions had different durations and eligibility rules.
Can I cancel Apple TV+ during the free trial?
Yes. Cancel through the billing provider at least 24 hours before the trial ends to avoid automatic renewal. Canceling an Apple promotional trial generally does not preserve a right to reactivate that same trial, and some device-offer terms can end access immediately.
Was Apple TV+ included with Apple One?
Yes. Apple TV+ was included in the Individual, Family, and Premier Apple One plans. Apple One was worthwhile only if you also used enough of its other services; it was not automatically cheaper for someone who wanted only Apple TV+.
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Eligible verified students could receive Apple TV access through the Apple Music Student Plan. U.S. 2025 coverage listed that plan at $5.99 per month. The access was attached to the student plan, could end when eligibility ended, and was not a separately billed or Family Sharing subscription.
Can I share Apple TV+ with my family?
A directly billed Apple TV+ subscription could be shared through Family Sharing with the organizer and up to five additional family members. Student-plan Apple TV access was an exception and could not be shared through Family Sharing under Apple’s support instructions.
Does Apple TV+ include movies I see with rental or purchase prices?
No. The Apple TV app also displays rentals, purchases, Apple TV Channels, and third-party subscriptions. Those charges are separate from the Apple TV+ subscription.
What happened if I subscribed through T-Mobile?
T-Mobile benefits depended on the exact plan. In 2025, some customers received six months, while selected plans included Apple TV+ as an ongoing benefit or discounted add-on. Check T-Life or your T-Mobile account, and manage cancellation through T-Mobile when T-Mobile is the billing provider.
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Usually not. Apple generally does not allow promotional trials to stack, and an Apple TV+ trial does not pause when you join Apple One. The specific terms for a device, carrier, or partner offer control.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The correct U.S. Apple TV+ price for 2025 depends on the date: $9.99 per month through August 20, then $12.99 per month from August 21, while the $99.99 annual plan stayed unchanged. For a short viewing session, the seven-day trial was the lowest-commitment route. For longer use, the annual plan, an eligible three-month device offer, Apple Music Student Plan, Apple One bundle, or qualifying carrier benefit could reduce the effective cost. Whatever route you choose, confirm which account is being billed, remember that rentals and channels cost extra, and cancel at least 24 hours before an unwanted renewal.
Quick Recap
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.
