Apple could be about to launch a Spotify-like free tier, but users are
worried there might be a major downside

Date:
Sat, 30 May 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Description:
Apple Music might be preparing to let users listen for free, but there might be big limitations and adverts attached.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter There's evidence for a new free tier for Apple Music It will no doubt come with certain limitations Users are worried that there will be adverts involved The streaming, unlimited
listening component of Apple Music differs from Spotify in that you can't use it for free you have to pay a monthly subscription. According to code
spotted in the latest Apple Music app for Android, that might be about to change.

Discovered by tipster Aaron Perris (via 9to5Mac ), the code snippets mention limits on track skipping, and a "Premium access required" message, which are both consistent with some kind of subscription-free tier for the Apple Music streaming catalog. However, Perris himself admits the code strings could be related to something else, like radio stations. These might soon work differently depending on whether or not you're currently paying for an Apple Music plan. Latest Videos From You may like Apple Music users frustrated by lack of cross-device continuity features Apple Music is launching
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Spotify's free tier comes with adverts, and limits on audio quality, playlist creation, track order, and track skipping. Premium subscribers also get to save playlists of offline use, and usually get access to new features first too . Does this mean ads? NEW: It appears that Apple may be working on a free or lower-cost tier of Apple Music.Strings in the latest Apple Music for Android beta mention "Can't skip any more tracks" and "Premium access required" pic.twitter.com/xGHeaDb7X3 May 30, 2026 Based on the Reddit
reaction , this might not be such a popular move. "Oh no not the ads," is one typical comment, and there seems to be quite a swell of resistance against Apple Music offering a free tier if it comes with adverts attached.

Having traditionally kept advertising in its products down to a minimum,
Apple has recently started heading towards a more Google -like approach: ads have started appearing in Apple Maps with iOS 26.5 for example.

In fact, as we've already noted , this is a trend that many apps and services are joining in with, in an effort to squeeze more money from consumers whether it's advertising on streaming services or new subscription models for social media sites. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
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We'll have to wait and see if a free tier for Apple Music makes an appearance soon perhaps at WWDC 2026 on June 8 . You can already use Apple Music the
app for free, of course, if you bring your own digital music with you. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Today's best phone deals Contract Deals Sim Free Google Pixel 10 Pro 36 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 1GB data 60 upfront 39 /mth View at Vodafone Ltd See all prices Samsung
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/audio-streaming/apple-could-be-about-to-launch -a-spotify-like-free-tier-but-users-are-worried-there-might-be-a-major-downsid e


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