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

• 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.

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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?

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.

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.

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