As an electronic products expert with over 10 years of experience following trends in streaming media and smart TVs, this is my comprehensive guide on how Apple TV+‘s free trial works and how to cancel subscription.
Apple TV+ 3 Month Free Trial Overview
Apple TV+ launched in November 2019 as Apple‘s entry into the streaming video market, taking on established services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The service grants new Apple device owners a free 3 month trial, after which a $4.99/month subscription is automatically renewed (via Apple).
According to Apple‘s Q1 2022 earnings report, Apple TV+ had over 40 million subscribers as of January 2022. While dwarfed by Netflix‘s 221 million subscribers, Apple TV+ has seen steady growth thanks to ongoing device sales and hit shows like Ted Lasso.
Key Free Trial Details
- Eligible with any new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac purchase
- Must redeem offer within 90 days of device activation
- No payment info needed to activate – subscription auto-renews after free period
- Cancel anytime during or after the trial
According to analytics firm Antennapod, approximately 60% of Apple TV+ users cancel the service after the free trial ends. Clearly, understanding how and when to cancel is critical.
Step-by-Step Guide to Canceling Apple TV+ Subscription
The good news is canceling Apple TV+ is straightforward on any Apple device. Here are the detailed steps:
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Settings app
- Tap your Apple ID name and picture
- Tap Subscriptions
- Tap Manage Subscriptions under the Apple TV+ listing
- Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm
On Mac
- Click the App Store icon
- Click your profile icon in the lower left
- Click View Information
- Click Manage under Subscriptions
- Click Cancel Subscription next to Apple TV+
On Apple TV
- Open Settings
- Select Users & Accounts
- Select your account
- Choose Subscriptions
- Select Apple TV+
- Choose Cancel Subscription
You can also cancel online at tv.apple.com by clicking Account > Settings > Subscriptions.
What Happens When You Cancel Apple TV+
When you cancel Apple TV+, either during or at the end of the free trial:
- You‘ll continue having access until the 3 month period ends
- Apple will not charge your card the $4.99 monthly fee
- Any downloaded shows will remain available in your library
- Your watch history and recommendations will be removed
- You can resubscribe at any time without penalty
According to Apple, "canceling before your free trial ends will immediately end your access to Apple TV+." So if you cancel on day 1 for instance, you lose access right away.
Tips For Managing Apple TV+ Subscription
As an Apple user myself, here are some tips for getting the most out of the Apple TV+ free trial:
- Set a calendar reminder to cancel 2-3 days before the trial ends
- You can pause the subscription for up to 180 days if you want a break
- Use Family Sharing to give 5 other people access to your TV+ subscription
- Check your Subscriptions setting periodically to monitor status
- Take advantage of other Apple trials like News+, Arcade, and Apple Music
Market research firm HarrisX found that over 50% of Apple TV+ subscribers also pay for other streaming services. Evaluating if it‘s worth it for you after the trial means weighing the exclusive content against redundancy.
How Apple TV+ Compares to Other Streaming Services
| Service | Price | Library Size | Top Shows | Offline Viewing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ | $4.99/month | < 50 original titles | Ted Lasso, Severance, For All Mankind | Yes |
| Netflix | $9.99+ per month | 1000s of titles | Stranger Things, Ozark, Wednesday | Yes |
| Hulu | $6.99+ per month | 1000s of titles | Only Murders in the Building, Handmaid‘s Tale | No |
| Disney+ | $7.99/month | 500+ titles | The Mandalorian, Loki, Star Wars | Yes |
As you can see, Apple TV+ is one of the cheapest services, but has a smaller library compared to Netflix or Disney+. The lack of back catalog content is the biggest drawback cited by critics. However, its award-winning originals make it worth considering according to reviews.
Final Verdict: Is Apple TV+ Worth Keeping?
In my opinion as an electronics expert and streaming power user, Apple TV+ is best suited as a complementary add-on to other services like Netflix or Hulu rather than a standalone option.
The shows are exceptionally high quality, but the limited library means you‘ll likely want content from other streamers too. Use the generous 3 month trial to determine if series like Ted Lasso, Severance, and For All Mankind warrant the $5 monthly fee long term.
Just be sure to monitor your Subscriptions and cancel ahead of the renewal if you decide to drop – it‘s quick and easy to do on any Apple device.
