How to Get a Free Year of a Music App This Holiday
Stack separate Apple Music and Amazon Music trials, cancel before billing, to keep holiday listening free for months.
You get a free year of music listening this holiday by sequencing separate new-subscriber trials and gift promos and cancelling before each converts to paid billing. A new-subscriber trial is a free listening period reserved for accounts that have not tried that paid plan before. According to a synthesis of Apple, Spotify and Amazon trial terms, no current sponsor page documents 12 continuous free months from one music app synthesis of Apple, Spotify and Amazon trial terms.
That means the practical path is arranging separate eligible trials back to back. You keep listening free by starting the next eligible trial only when the prior one ends.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
What a free year really means
It does not mean one code good for 12 months on one account. It means stacking separate free periods so listening stays free across the holiday year. Each piece has its own account rule.
You need to qualify for that piece as new or returning, and you need to stop that piece before it bills.
How far can Apple Music trials stretch?
Apple states that new subscribers who set up a new eligible device get 3 months free Apple Music 3-Month Free Offer. Eligible devices include iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, AirPods, Beats headphones and speakers excluding Flex, HomePod and HomePod mini. Redemption happens in the Apple Music app within 90 days of activation for a limited time.
Best Buy lists free Apple Music for up to 6 months as a digital download Best Buy product page. The listing limits the benefit to new or returning subscribers only. That account limit decides whether you can use it after the device trial.
- Check new-subscriber status before you start either Apple Music piece.
- Confirm the device is eligible and redeem within the 90-day window.
- Confirm new-or-returning status for the Best Buy download.
Where does Amazon fit in the sequence?
Amazon reports four months free for Prime members who have not tried Amazon Music Unlimited and three months free for non-Prime new subscribers About Amazon news on Prime Big Deal Days 2026. The company ties that limited-time offer to Prime Big Deal Days on October 6-7, 2026. Holiday shoppers should check the current Amazon page for whether the window extended.
Use that piece only if you have not tried Unlimited before. Place it after an Apple Music period ends so free months do not overlap. Do not pay for Prime just to get the longer trial unless you already want Prime.
How do you avoid a paid conversion?
Each trial converts to paid billing unless you act. Note the end date when you start, then cancel renewal before that date. Start the next trial only after you confirm eligibility for it.
Check the sponsor page again before you enter payment details, because date limits and new-subscriber rules can change after the October event window.
- Save each trial end date with a reminder several days early.
- Turn off renewal inside the music app or retailer account.
- Keep the confirmation message until the free period ends.
- Do not rejoin the same plan early if rejoining ends free access.