Apple Music could be adding a free tier, code in Android beta suggests

Apple Music could be set to shake up its subscription model with a potential free tier, hinted at by code in the Android beta version of the app.

What Happened

Tech analyst Aaron Perris has spotted references to a "Premium access required" prompt and an error message reading "Can't skip any more tracks" in the latest beta build of Apple Music's Android app. This suggests that the company may be preparing to launch new subscription tiers, including a free or lower-cost option with restricted features.

Inside the Rollout

The discovery of tiered-access code comes as Apple Music has been losing ground to Spotify. According to MIDiA Research data, Apple's share of U.S. digital music subscribers fell to 25% at the end of 2024, down from 30% in 2020. The company has rolled out various moves to attract and retain subscribers, including a promotional rate of $2.99 for six months of Apple Music in February 2025.

• Apple Music's share of U.S. digital music subscribers: 25% (2024)
• Apple Music's share of global digital music subscribers: 12% (2024)
• Spotify's ad-supported free tier features: skip limits and ads

Why This Matters

The potential introduction of a free tier by Apple Music would be a significant shift in its subscription model, one that could help the company regain lost ground in the competitive streaming market. As Oliver Schusser, Apple Music's vice president, has publicly stated, the company has long defended its decision not to offer a free, ad-supported tier, believing that music should be treated as art that shouldn't be given away.

The Takeaway

While the discovery of tiered-access code is intriguing, it remains to be seen whether Apple Music will indeed launch a free tier. If the company does decide to go ahead with this move, it could have significant implications for the streaming market, potentially forcing other players to re-evaluate their own subscription models.