T-Mobile customers are about to see a major change to one of the carrier’s most popular perks. After years of offering Apple TV at no extra cost on select plans, the company confirmed that users will soon have to pay for the service. The shift comes after Apple increased the price of its streaming platform from $9.99 to $12.99 per month. The T-Mobile Apple TV perk will no longer shield subscribers from these rising fees, marking another example of how streaming costs continue to climb across the industry.
The carrier has already begun sending text messages to affected subscribers. These messages outline how the change will work and when it will begin. Starting January 1, 2026, customers with the “On Us” perk will pay $3 per month, as T-Mobile will continue covering the remaining $9.99. This adjustment ensures customers pay only the difference, but it still means the days of completely free Apple TV access are coming to an end. For some, the change reflects broader market shifts that now affect carriers as much as consumers.
Customers who do not have the perk but pay for Apple TV through T-Mobile will also feel the increase. Beginning on the same date, these users will be billed the full $12.99 monthly price. The shift aligns with Apple’s latest pricing structure and formalizes the carrier’s response to the cost changes. T-Mobile has also updated its support page with new information so subscribers can understand how billing and discounts will apply moving forward.
The carrier is still offering its six-month Apple TV trial at no cost, and this option remains available to new or upgrading customers. However, once the trial ends, the subscription will renew at the standard $12.99 monthly rate unless canceled. This update encourages customers to manage their subscriptions carefully, especially as more streaming services adjust their pricing.
The move highlights a growing trend in the telecom and streaming industries. Carriers that once absorbed subscription costs now face increased strain as streaming platforms raise prices. With T-Mobile preparing for the January transition, customers should review their plans, manage their perks, and decide whether to keep or cancel their Apple TV subscription ahead of the new billing structure.
