If you‘ve recently purchased a new Apple device, you may be eligible for a free 3-month trial of Apple Arcade. This gaming service gives you unlimited access to over 200 premium iOS games with no ads or in-app purchases. Here‘s a detailed guide on how to claim your free trial and get the most out of Apple Arcade.
What is Apple Arcade?
Launched in 2019, Apple Arcade is a game subscription service for iOS, macOS and tvOS. For a monthly fee of $4.99, you get unlimited access to a catalog of over 200 games.
Apple works closely with game developers to create exclusive Arcade Originals. These are games you won‘t find on any other mobile platform. There are new game releases every month across diverse categories like action, adventure, RPG, racing and family fun.
The games are all premium – no ads, no in-app purchases or pay-to-win mechanisms. You can download and play any game offline too. One subscription lets you access games across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.
According to Apple, over 180 million people worldwide have access to Apple Arcade through a subscription.
Check Your Eligibility for the Free Trial
Apple offers a free 3-month Apple Arcade trial for folks who purchase a new Apple device and set it up with their Apple ID. This includes new iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV or iPod Touch models.
Here are the eligibility criteria for the offer:
You must have purchased the device directly from Apple or an authorized reseller.
Offer redeemable only on new devices within 90 days of setting it up.
Valid for one offer per Apple ID.
Device must be updated to the latest OS version that supports Apple Arcade.
So if you got a new iPhone 14 recently and activated it with your Apple ID, you can get 3 months of Apple Arcade for free. This offer also applies if you purchased a new M2 MacBook Air in the last 90 days.
But say your sibling also bought a new gadget and you share the same Apple ID for purchases. Only one of you can redeem the free trial.
Step-by-Step Guide to Redeem the Offer
If you meet the eligibility criteria, here are the steps to claim your 3 months of Apple Arcade:
1. Update to the Latest OS
First, make sure your new Apple device is updated to the latest OS version. On iPhone and iPad, it needs to be at least iOS/iPadOS 16.2 or later. For Mac, macOS 13.1 or higher.
You can check for and install updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS devices. On Mac, click on the Apple menu and select Software Update.
2. Open the App Store and Visit the Arcade Tab
Next, launch the App Store on your new gadget. Tap on the Arcade tab at the bottom. This is where all the Apple Arcade games are featured.
If you don‘t see the tab, scroll down on the Today page and look for the Arcade section.
3. Claim Your 3 Months Free Offer
At this point, you should see the "Redeem 3 months free" offer splash screen. Tap on the Redeem button to start your free trial.
If it doesn‘t show up automatically, just try downloading any Apple Arcade game from the catalog. It will prompt you to sign up for the 3-month trial.
Confirm any prompts and you are all set. You‘ll get 3 months of unlimited access to Apple Arcade games.
Getting the Most Out of Your Free Trial
Now that you‘ve successfully activated your free subscription, here are some tips to explore Apple Arcade and enjoy some great games:
Download games you find interesting
Browse through the Arcade tab and look for game genres and titles you find appealing. Tap on a game to see screenshots, trailers and descriptions to get an idea of the gameplay and style.
Download any games that pique your interest. All games can be played offline once downloaded so you can enjoy them even without an internet connection.
Here are some of the most popular Apple Arcade originals to check out:
- Oceanhorn 2
- Crossy Road Castle
- Sneaky Sasquatch
- The Oregon Trail
- Mini Motorways
- Lego Star Wars: Castaways
Try out different categories
Apple Arcade has an excellent variety of games ranging from interactive storytelling to intense action to mind-bending puzzles.
Try out different genres like Side-scrolling adventures, Retro classics, Building games and Family-friendly options. Expand your interests and discover new types of games you enjoy.
Explore game guides
For deeper games like adventure RPGs and strategy titles, take advantage of built-in game guides. These offer helpful tutorials and walkthroughs so you can learn as you play.
You can access game guides from the game‘s page on the App Store or inside the game itself. They explain basics as well as tips and tricks for progression.
Use Family Sharing
With Family Sharing enabled, you can share your Apple Arcade subscription and downloaded games with up to 5 family members.
Each person gets a custom save file so you don‘t overwrite each other‘s progress. And you can all play using a single subscription.
To set up Family Sharing, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Set Up Family Sharing. Follow the prompts to add family members.
Track play activity
Inside the Arcade tab, you can tap on your profile icon to see your play activity. It shows details like:
- Total time played across games
- Achievements you‘ve earned
- Games you‘ve recently played
This helps you keep a track of gaming habits and find titles you spend the most time enjoying.
Manage Subscription Renewal
Once the 3 month free trial ends, your Apple Arcade subscription will auto-renew at $4.99 per month. You‘ll be billed via your Apple account.
To avoid being charged, you must cancel the renewal at least a day before the next billing date. If you cancel the subscription, you lose access to all Apple Arcade games.
Here‘s how to manage or cancel Apple Arcade:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad or System Preferences on your Mac.
Tap on your Apple ID profile icon.
Go to Subscriptions.
Tap on Apple Arcade.
Select Cancel Subscription.
If you are enjoying Apple Arcade, you can let the subscription renew to keep playing games every month. Share it with family too.
Summary
New Apple device owners are eligible for a 3 month Apple Arcade free trial if redeemed within 90 days.
Make sure your device meets the requirements and is updated to the latest OS.
Claim the offer in the App Store Arcade tab. Download and play games offline.
Explore different games, enable Family Sharing, track play activity.
Cancel renewal before the trial ends if you don‘t want to continue the $4.99/month subscription.
Take advantage of this excellent introductory offer from Apple and immerse yourself in unlimited gaming on your new iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV!
