iTunes Hasn't Offered Free Songs Since Apple Music Launched on June 30

Tuesday July 14, 2015 5:48 PM PDT by Joe Rossignol
Outside of a one-month hiatus in January 2015, Apple has offered a wide range of songs through its weekly "Free on iTunes" program since April 2004, but for the last two weeks, the company has released no free tracks. The last free iTunes release was on June 30, 2015, as tracked by MacRumors forum volunteers, coinciding with the launch of Apple Music in over 100 countries.

freeonitunes
Apple has since removed the "Free on iTunes" graphic from the iTunes Store homepage, and set prices on songs that were kept free even after their weekly promotions ended, leading to speculation that free songs may no longer be offered now that unlimited streaming is available through Apple Music for a fixed monthly price. Apple Music costs $9.99 per month after a free three-month trial period.

It would not be entirely surprising if Apple shuttered the program, whether temporarily or permanently, but no official announcement has been made. A link to the "Free on iTunes" section remains accessible on the righthand side of the iTunes Store, where Apple continues to offer other free content, including movies, TV shows, apps, books and podcasts, in the United States.

Thanks to MacRumors forum members Doctor Q and JamesMike!

Tags: iTunes, Apple Music, Free on iTunes
36 comments


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Benjamin Frost
47 months ago
I haven't liked a single free song that has been featured.

Perhaps I should write one. Let me think of a title…

Frosty the Snowman.
Rating: 7 Votes
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knemonic
47 months ago
Guess we know how they paid for the three month free trials.
Rating: 5 Votes
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GenesisST
47 months ago
I use to download these religiously. Made a few interesting discoveries, but now I have a library that is polluted with lots of crappy one song artists...

Edit: at least I don't use my library that much anymore since end of June...
Rating: 5 Votes
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QCassidy352
47 months ago

Hide the music you don't want to see

Or delete it...?
Rating: 4 Votes
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ke-iron
47 months ago
People need to stop being cheap and want every damn thing for free always. Suck it up and pay $10 a month and now you can stream or download millions of songs. I'm glad they did this.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Tubamajuba
47 months ago

I haven't liked a single free song that has been featured.

Perhaps I should write one. Let me think of a title…

Frosty the Snowman.


Hah, it'll never sell.

I bet you think there should be a movie with the same name, too!

:p
Rating: 2 Votes
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NightFox
47 months ago

I use to download these religiously. Made a few interesting discoveries, but now I have a library that is polluted with lots of crappy one song artists...

Edit: at least I don't use my library that much anymore since end of June...


Yeah, libraries, I used to have a nice, well maintained one of them until I switched "iCloud Music" on.
Rating: 2 Votes
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iamMacPerson
47 months ago
Kinda sad to see this go. I found a couple good artist from there that I still follow to this day. I still don't like paying for a streaming service, because if I ever cancel it there goes all the music I downloaded. At least with buying the songs from iTunes I can keep a copy on the computer that is licensed to me.

FWIW, I keep a very tight library though. I have been buying from iTunes for a decade and only amassed 1000 songs. I never really bought CDs either, but when I got my first iPod (a decade ago) what I did have (and still have) I put into iTunes.
Rating: 2 Votes
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jlc1978
47 months ago
Get the Starbucks app. they typically have a free song and or app every week or so; in addition to the freebies in store.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Joe Rossignol
47 months ago

I haven't liked a single free song that has been featured.

Perhaps I should write one. Let me think of a title…

Frosty the Snowman.

I'll buy it.
Rating: 2 Votes
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