Apple Music Subscription: Plans, Prices and How to Pay With a Gift Card

Summary: As of July 2026, an Apple Music subscription in the US costs $11.99 a month for Individual, $19.99 for Family and $6.99 for Student. You can pay with an Apple Gift Card instead of a bank card: redeem it to your Apple Account balance, and each renewal is charged to that balance first until it runs out.

• Apple raised Apple Music prices on July 17, 2026, citing higher music licensing costs.
• The Family plan covers up to six people, each with their own private library.
• The Student plan requires verification and includes Apple TV at no extra cost.
• Gift card credit in your Apple Account balance pays for the subscription automatically.

How Much Is an Apple Music Subscription?

Current US prices for each plan:

• Individual: $11.99 a month.
• Family: $19.99 a month for up to six people through Family Sharing.
• Student: $6.99 a month for verified students at degree-granting universities.
• Apple One Individual: $19.95 a month, which bundles Apple Music with other Apple services.

These are US prices. Apple sets prices country by country, so check the Apple Music page for your region before you subscribe.

What Changed in July 2026

On July 17, 2026, Apple raised the Individual plan from $10.99 to $11.99, the Family plan from $16.99 to $19.99, and the Student plan from $5.99 to $6.99. It was the first Apple Music increase since 2022, and Apple said it was due to rising licensing costs. Even after the change, Apple Music is still a little cheaper than Spotify Premium on the Individual and Family tiers.

Which Apple Music Plan Makes Sense

Individual is the default for one listener. Family becomes the better deal once three or more people in a household use it: split six ways, it works out to about $3.33 per person, and each member keeps their own playlists and recommendations. Student is the cheapest route if you qualify, and the bundled Apple TV access adds real value on top. Apple One only pays off if you already use several of the other services in the bundle. Whichever plan you pick, a comfortable pair of wireless headphones from Cowin Audio is an easy upgrade for everyday listening.

How to Pay for Apple Music With a Gift Card

Apple Music bills through your Apple Account, and any credit in your Apple Account balance is used before your card. That makes a gift card an easy way to pay without linking a bank card, or to cover a few months as a present.

• On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap your profile picture, then tap Redeem Gift Card or Code.
• On a Mac, open the App Store, click your name, then choose Redeem Gift Card.
• Enter the code, and the value is added to your Apple Account balance.
• Subscribe to Apple Music, or keep your current plan. Renewals are charged to the balance first.

If the balance is too low to cover a renewal, Apple charges your other payment method on file. Topping up before the renewal date avoids an unexpected charge or a lapse in your subscription.

Gift cards are tied to the country they were issued in, so buy one that matches your Apple Account region. A card from another country will not redeem. Our step-by-step guide on how to redeem an Apple gift card covers every device.

Is There a Free Apple Music Trial?

Apple often offers new subscribers a free trial, and some Apple device purchases have come with a few months of Apple Music included. The length and terms change, so check the current offer on the sign-up screen before you start paying. Retailers such as Best Buy sometimes list these offers alongside eligible devices.

Keeping the Music Playing Without a Bank Card

A gift card turns Apple Music into a prepaid subscription: load the balance, let renewals draw from it, and top up when it runs low. Match the card to your Apple Account country and the redemption takes seconds.

When you are ready to cover the next few months, browse Apple Music gift cards.