Apple Music slashes free trial period to a month

The platform has offered new users three gratis months of its service since it was launched in 2015, more than other major music streaming platforms like Spotify and Deezer, which offer one-month free trials. But unlike its competitors, it does not offer a free tier for music listeners.

The reduced period now applies to new users in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and the UK, among other countries. The change does not apply to new subscribers who purchase an eligible audio product, including Beats products, AirPods Max, AirPods, AirPods Pro and HomePod mini, or current owners who upgrade their devices.

“You have 90 days after first pairing your device to take advantage of your six free months of Apple Music … for current owners of eligible devices, you have 90 days after upgrading to the latest iOS or iPadOS to redeem your six months free,” Apple said. “There is believed to be a least some amount of exodus from Spotify to Apple Music right now, depending on who you talk to”.

In June last year, Apple Music announced that it would bundle both Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos, both free of charge, with its $10-a-month subscription. 

Apple also has a $4.99-per-month Apple Music Voice Plan, which offers access to the service’s full catalogue of 90 million songs, playlists, personalised mixes and Apple Music Radio. Apple Music’s premium offerings – including Spatial Audio, Lossless Audio, Lyrics and Music Video – are not included in this plan. Meanwhile, Spotify is offering a three-month trial period for new subscribers who use PayPal.