Is Apple TV Free for Students? The Ultimate Guide

Getting access to entertainment and learning resources is important for college students. With tuition, books, housing and other expenses, budgets are tight. So scoring free or discounted access to apps and services like Apple TV can make a real difference.

In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything students need to know to get Apple TV for free or at a discount.

What is Apple TV?

Apple TV is both a physical media streaming box and an app:

– The Apple TV box lets you stream movies, TV shows, music, photos, games and more from the internet to your TV. You can buy the box from Apple starting at $129.

– The Apple TV app is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, smart TVs and streaming devices. It gives you access to Apple TV channels, Apple TV+ original content, rentals and purchases from the iTunes store.

Apple TV+ is Apple‘s subscription streaming service within the Apple TV app. It offers exclusive original TV shows, movies and documentaries from Apple.

Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV box, within the Apple TV app, and on smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire Stick, gaming consoles, etc. An Apple TV+ subscription is $4.99/month.

Is Apple TV Free for College Students?

There are a few ways students can get Apple TV for free or at a discount:

– Get 3 Months of Apple TV+ Free – College students who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV or Mac can get 3 months of Apple TV+ for free. Just open the Apple TV app and start watching.

– Pay $4.99/month After Trial – After the free trial ends, students can continue Apple TV+ for the regular price of $4.99/month.

– Apple Music Student Plan – Apple Music‘s student plan includes Apple TV+ for free, after a 3 month trial. The music streaming plan is just $5.99/month for students.

– Free Apple TV+ Through Best Buy – Students may be eligible for 6 months of free Apple TV+ when purchasing select Mac or iPad models at Best Buy.

– Free Through Your School – Some colleges and universities offer free Apple TV+ access for students. Check with your school‘s IT department.

– Share with Family – If someone in your family has Apple TV+, up to 5 other family members can share the subscription and watch for free.

Getting Apple‘s 3 Month Free Apple TV+ Trial

Here are the step-by-step instructions to redeem Apple‘s 3 month free trial offer of Apple TV+:

1. Purchase a new Apple device like an iPhone, MacBook or iPad from Apple or an authorized reseller. You can buy in-store, online or through your school‘s tech store if eligible.

2. Turn on the device and connect it to the internet. Sign in with your Apple ID.

3. Open the Apple TV app. Make sure your device has the latest software.

4. You should see the offer appear immediately after launching the app. If not, go to the Watch Now tab and scroll down until you see the offer.

5. Tap "Enjoy 3 Months Free" to activate your trial.

6. Select the account you want to use if prompted. Your free 3 month trial will begin instantly.

7. Start watching Apple originals and exclusives through the Apple TV app on your new device or other supported devices logged into your Apple ID.

8. After 3 months, you will be charged $4.99 automatically to continue unless you cancel.

Remember, you need to redeem the offer within 90 days of activating your new device. If you don‘t see the offer, contact Apple support for help. Share the 3 months free with your family by selecting the account you want to use.

Getting Apple TV+ with an Apple Music Student Subscription

Apple Music‘s student plan includes Apple TV+ for free after a 3 month trial. Here‘s how to sign up:

1. Go to apple.com/us-hed/shop in your browser. This is Apple‘s education store for students to get discounts.

2. Click on Apple Music Student Membership.

3. Select "Get Started" and then "Continue."

4. Follow the instructions to verify your student status through Unidays. You‘ll need to enter your school and expected graduation date.

5. Once verified, you can sign up for Apple Music‘s Student Plan for $5.99/month.

6. Download and open the Apple TV app on your device. Go to the Watch Now tab.

7. Your 3 month free trial of Apple TV+ will be activated. After the trial, it remains free as long as you subscribe to Apple Music‘s student plan.

8. Start watching Apple originals ad-free. Share your subscriptions with family by selecting the account you want to use.

You can save quite a bit with this bundle deal. After the included trial, both Apple Music and Apple TV+ cost just $5.99/month total as a student. Just remember to verify your student status each year to keep the discounts.

Getting 6 Months Free Apple TV+ from Best Buy

Here is how students can redeem 6 months of free Apple TV+ when buying certain Apple products at Best Buy:

1. Add an eligible Mac or iPad to your cart on BestBuy.com, such as the MacBook Air or iPad 10.2".

2. Check out and enter your student credentials to verify your status and get education pricing.

3. Once the order is processed, you‘ll receive an email with a code for 6 months of Apple TV+ ($29.94 total value).

4. Redeem code at tv.apple.com.

5. Download Apple TV app on your devices, sign in and start watching!

This Best Buy student deal offers one of the longest free trials of Apple TV+ available. Just make sure your purchase is eligible. Terms apply. The code must be redeemed within 90 days.

Sharing Apple TV+ with Family

You can share your Apple TV+ subscription with up to 5 family members through Family Sharing. Each person gets their own account profile:

– Open Settings on your device and select your name. Tap "Set Up Family Sharing".

– Follow the prompts to set up Family Sharing and invite family to join.

– Those you invite will get your shared subscriptions like Apple TV+ automatically on their own devices.

– To watch, simply download the Apple TV app, sign in with your Apple ID, and select your profile. Start watching your shared Apple TV+ shows and movies!

This allows everyone in your family group to enjoy Apple originals ad-free without having to pay for their own subscriptions. It‘s a great way for students to access Apple TV+ for free by sharing a family member‘s account.

Getting Apple TV+ Through Your School

Some colleges and universities offer free Apple TV+ access for currently enrolled students. The availability varies by school. Here‘s how to find out:

– Go to your school‘s IT department or technology services website. Look for information on software offerings for students.

– Contact the help desk by email, chat or phone. Ask whether your school provides complimentary access to Apple TV+ or the Apple streaming bundle.

– Check the app store on your student iPad or laptop provided by your school. There may be pre-loaded apps like Apple TV that give you access.

– Talk to classmates to see if they have University-provided Apple TV. Your school might not advertise it widely.

If your college offers it, you should be able to simply sign into the Apple TV app with your student credentials to stream Apple TV+. No payment needed. Don‘t forget to cancel any paid subscriptions first.

This institutional access usually ends after graduation or if you leave school. So enjoy it while enrolled!

– 3 Months Free Apple TV+ Trial with New Apple Device Purchase
– Apple Music Student Plan – $5.99/mo for Apple Music + Apple TV+
– 6 Months Free from Best Buy with Qualifying Apple Purchase
– Share Family Member‘s Subscription Through Family Sharing
– Free Access Through Your University (If Available)

Apple TV+ Overview for Students

Here are some more details about Apple TV+ that are helpful for students considering the service:

– Completely Ad-Free – Apple TV+ offers unlimited access to all original movies, TV shows, kids series and documentaries without any ads at all.

– Download and Go – You can download Apple originals to your device to watch offline when you don‘t have an internet connection. Helpful when traveling or commuting!

– New Releases Every Month – Apple is continually adding to their original content library with fresh series and stand-alone films monthly.

– Share with Friends – Your Apple TV+ subscription works on a variety of devices, so you can download shows to your phone or laptop then gather friends to watch on a bigger screen!

– Student Verification Required – You need a student email address or ID to qualify for discounted plans from Apple and other student deals.

– Additional Content in App – Apple TV app includes other video subscriptions, premium channels, sports and access to your iTunes library for rentals and purchases.

Overall, Apple TV+ is an excellent streaming option for students thanks to free trials, exclusive student discounts, downloadable shows for offline viewing and more.

Top Apple TV+ Shows for Students

Apple has been investing heavily in original content across genres. Here are some of the top Apple TV+ shows that students love:

– Ted Lasso – This heartwarming comedy follows an American football coach hired to coach a British soccer team.

– Mythic Quest – A funny workplace comedy revolving around the team behind a popular video game.

– Trying – An amusing series about growing up and the challenges of adulthood.

– The Morning Show – A drama exposing the dark side of morning news and media.

– Servant – A thriller TV show produced by M. Night Shyamalan.

– Tiny World – A fascinating nature documentary series.

– The Problem with Jon Stewart – Current affairs comedy series.

– Schmigadoon! – A musical comedy parodying classic musicals.

– The Shrink Next Door – Dark comedy starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.

– WeCrashed – A limited series about the rise and fall of WeWork.

Apple TV+ series cover every genre – drama, sci-fi, comedy, docuseries, kids shows, and more. Try out a few different premieres to find your favorites!

Apple TV+ on Other Streaming Devices

Don‘t have an Apple TV box? Apple TV+ is compatible with:

– **Roku** – Get the Apple TV app on all Roku streaming devices like Roku Express, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Ultra and more. Enjoy Apple originals on your TV with Roku.

– **Amazon Fire TV** – Install Apple TV app on Fire TV streaming sticks, Fire TV cube and Fire TV Edition smart TVs. Access Apple TV+ originals on Amazon‘s platform.

– **Smart TVs** – The Apple TV app is available on most smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, and other brands. Check your model.

– **PlayStation and Xbox** – Get the Apple TV app on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S to watch Apple TV+ on your game consoles.

– **Chromecast/Google TV** – Cast Apple TV+ shows from your iPhone straight to a Chromecast plugged into your TV. Or get the Apple TV app on new Chromecast with Google TV.

So even if you don‘t have an Apple TV streaming box, you can still watch Apple TV+ originals on your television! The app is widely available across mainstream platforms.

Student Questions About Apple TV+

Here are answers to some common student questions about Apple TV+:

Is the Apple TV app completely free for students?

The Apple TV app is free to download and use. But an Apple TV+ subscription is needed to watch most Apple original content. Students can get Apple TV+ free or discounted through the deals mentioned above.

Can I download Apple TV+ shows to watch offline?

Yes! Apple TV+ lets you download movies, series, documentaries and kids shows to your device so you can watch without an internet connection. Helpful when commuting or traveling.

Does Apple TV student offer renew automatically?

The 3 month free Apple TV+ trial will auto-renew at $4.99/month after the trial unless you cancel. Apple Music student discount bundles also auto-renew annually requiring re-verification.

What devices support the Apple TV app?

The Apple TV app is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV streaming box, as well as many smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, gaming consoles and more. You can watch Apple TV+ on most screens!

Can I re-download Apple TV if I get a new device?

Just sign into the Apple TV app with your Apple ID on your new device to re-download your apps and access your Apple TV+ account and library. Your shows and preferences sync across devices.

Saving Money on Entertainment as a Student

Here are some final money-saving tips on accessing entertainment affordably as a college student beyond Apple TV:

– Check if your university provides free TV streaming apps, movie rentals or other entertainment perks.

– Split the costs of subscriptions by sharing logins with roommates and friends.

– Take advantage of free trials for streaming services before deciding what to pay for. Apple TV+ offers 3 months free.

– Consider ad-supported free streaming apps like Tubi, Pluto TV and others to watch tons of movies and shows at no cost.

– Use your library card to rent DVDs of popular movies for free from your local public library.

– Join CD and DVD rental services like Netflix DVD by mail to avoid streaming costs and data overages.

– Don‘t forget about free digital content from your school library including ebooks, audiobooks, music and more.

What are your favorite tips for accessing entertainment affordably as a student? Let us know in the comments!