Here’s how to watch Apple TV+ shows and movies for free: Best methods in 2025

So many services and subscriptions to pay for these days make me want to save a little money. Well, I like saving money, don't you? So, I decided to look for free options to enjoy Apple TV+. And in this article, I’ll show you how you can start watching shows and movies on Apple TV+ without spending a penny. Ready?

What is Apple TV+?

Let’s quickly cover the basics. What is the service all about? Apple TV+ is Apple’s streaming service, and you can find a curated collection of original content. What can you watch there? You can start with a popular show like Ted Lasso, known for its humor and heart. Or The Morning Show, which delves into the drama behind the scenes of a morning news program. Of course, there is something more. I’ll give you a few more ideas on what to watch later.

Is Apple TV Plus free?

Well, the answer is a bit nuanced. While the standard subscription costs $9.99 per month, there are ways to access content without fees. I’ve created a list for a quick overview of your options. 

• 7-day free trial for new users
• Free 3-month Apple TV+ access for those who buy Apple hardware
• 1-month Apple One free trial (includes access to Apple TV+)
• Free Apple TV+ with Apple Music student subscription 
• Occasional deals when you buy Roku, PlayStation, etc
• Occasional Apple TV+ weekend trials

How to get free access to Apple TV+ content

I bet you want more details, so let’s take a closer look at each option I’ve mentioned above. I hope this will help you incorporate a few cool Apple TV Plus shows into your routine. 

1. Watch Apple TV Plus shows with Apple’s standard 7-day free trial

Apple offers a standard 7-day free trial for new subscribers. I think it is a fantastic way to dive into their content. However, I understand that it’s not enough time to watch everything on Apple TV+. But still,  if you plan it right, you can binge-watch a show or two.

Signing up is super easy — you can do it right in the app or online. Just don’t forget to set a reminder to cancel before the week’s up since you’ll have to enter your payment info. If you forget, Apple will charge you for the whole month. So be cautious.

I’ve used this trial to check out some amazing shows, and it’s a great way to see if Apple TV+ is right for you.

2. Buy an Apple product and get a free 3-month Apple TV+ access

I recently bought a new iPhone and was thrilled to discover that I could get three months of Apple TV+ for free with my purchase. It’s a generous offer, and it’s super easy to redeem. After setting up my iPhone, I opened the Apple TV app and was immediately presented with the offer. If you don’t see it right away, you can find it in the Apple TV+ tab. Just make sure to redeem it within 90 days of setting up your device, or you’ll miss out on those free months. Here is more info on this offer.

3. Use Apple One free trial for one month

This is s great chance to try and watch movies for free for the whole month. Apple One includes Apple TV+ in its subscription plan, so instead of the seven-day trial of a single Apple TV+, you can enjoy shows and movies for 30 days. 

The price is $19.95 a month but if you decide to cancel your subscription — do it just in time, so you won’t get charged.

4. Get Apple TV+ free with an Apple Music student subscription

If you’re a student, there’s another great way to access Apple TV+ for free: by signing up for an Apple Music student subscription. 

As a higher education student, you have the opportunity to enjoy Apple Music for just $5.99 per month. This amazing deal not only grants you access to an extensive library of over 90 million songs but also includes a complimentary subscription to Apple TV+, so you can enjoy all the content on Apple TV+ for as long as your student subscription is active. 

You may also like “Top Mac apps for college students: reach new academia heights.”

How to start watching free Apple TV series

Well, if you managed to find the most profitable deal and you want to start watching a series right away, here’s how to do it: 

1. Open the Apple TV+ app on your device.
2. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID or create a new one if you don’t have an account.
3. Then, simply select the show or movie you want to watch and click Play. Enjoy!

You may also like “How to authorize a MacBook for Apple TV.”

What to watch in 2025?

Here’s my top list to watch in 2025:

• Severance 
• The Morning Show
• Silo and Bad Sisters
• Presumed Innocent
• Slow Horses and Disclaimer (Golden Globe nominees)
• For All Mankind 
• The Family Plan

Bonus tip: How to boost the quality of Apple TV+ streaming

Hopefully, the above workarounds will help you incorporate a few Apple TV Plus shows into your routine. They are worth it. To enjoy the experience to the fullest, though, you might need a few extra tools. I’ve picked two Mac apps that take your binge-watching to a new level — both available with Setapp. Check them out if you want to create a full-scale movie theater at your home. 

JustStream for limitless streaming 

If you’re using a Mac, you can actually tweak Apple TV limitations and stream movies or TV shows to any big screen. So, if you don’t like the idea of an Apple TV+ subscription being tied to Apple devices, you should know it’s not. With JustStream, a video streaming app for Mac, you can take your favorite content to virtually any TV. It works with Chromecast, Apple TV, and Smart TV as long as your devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

All streaming options will be available to you from the menu bar once you install the app. Simply choose the device to stream to by clicking on the arrow next to the AirPlay button, then hit “Start Streaming.” Enjoy the movie night!

NetSpot for top-notch streaming quality 

None of your Apple TV shows is complete without a reliable WiFi connection. That’s the world we’re living in — nothing plays out well if WiFi lets you down. If this happens to you and your favorite video streaming service, you need NetSpot. The app is a WiFi scanner you can use to analyze network connections at home. It will tell you what room and part of the room is the best spot for watching your Apple TV shows.

Final thoughts on how to watch Apple TV+ shows and movies for free

If you want to get the taste of Apple TV+ but are not ready to pay for it, here are a few options you can take advantage of, like 7-day free trial for new users or free 3-month Apple TV+ access for those who buy Apple hardware and others.

And if you want to boost the quality of Apple TV+ streaming, do not forget to try the apps I’ve mentioned in this article — JustStream and NetSpot. You can get these two and 250 more on Setapp. The platform offers carefully selected Mac, iOS, and web apps for almost any task. Get a chance to test all apps within a 7-day free trial.