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Apple Music Price Hikes & Price History (2026)
Updated August 6, 2026 · Researched & fact-checked by Shaheer
Apple Music held its $9.99 launch price for seven years, then raised the Individual plan to $10.99 in October 2022 and to $11.99 on July 17, 2026. The Family plan has risen fastest, from $14.99 to $16.99 and now $19.99, a 33% jump since 2022, while Student went from $4.99 to $6.99. Apple blamed the 2026 increase on "rising licensing costs."
At a glance
- Current price
- $11.99 (Individual)
- Last increase
- July 17, 2026 (+9.1%)
- Total change tracked
- +20%
- Tracked increases
- 5
Key takeaways
- Apple Music launched at $9.99 in 2015 and held that price for seven years before rising to $10.99 (October 2022) and $11.99 (July 17, 2026).
- The Family plan has climbed fastest, from $14.99 to $16.99 and now $19.99, up about 33% since 2022.
- The Student plan is now $6.99 and still includes Apple TV+, making it the cheapest way onto the service for those who qualify.
- Apple blamed the 2026 increase on "rising licensing costs," the same reason it gave in 2022, so treat further rises as a matter of when, not if.
Apple Music price increase history
| Date | Plan | Region | Old → New | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 17, 2026 | Individual | US | $10.99 → $11.99 | +9.1% | Source |
| July 17, 2026 | Family | US | $16.99 → $19.99 | +17.7% | Source |
| July 17, 2026 | Student | US | $5.99 → $6.99 | +16.7% | Source |
| October 24, 2022 | Individual | US | $9.99 → $10.99 | +10% | Source |
| October 24, 2022 | Family | US | $14.99 → $16.99 | +13.3% | Source |
What Apple Music costs right now
- Individual: $11.99 (US)
- Family: $19.99 (US)
- Student: $6.99 (US)
Why Apple Music raised its price
Apple Music barely moved on price for most of its life: it launched in 2015 at $9.99 and stayed there until October 2022, when the Individual plan went to $10.99 and Family to $16.99. The July 2026 round pushed Individual to $11.99, Family to $19.99 and Student to $6.99, Apple’s first Apple Music increase in almost four years.
Both times, Apple pointed to the same cause: the licensing fees it pays record labels and publishers for the catalogue. That is largely outside Apple’s control and tends to rise over time, which is why the Family plan, the tier with the most listeners attached, has taken the biggest dollar increases in each round.
Because Apple bills Music through the same Apple ID as iCloud, the App Store and any other subscriptions, a $1 or $3 change is easy to miss on a combined statement, and the rolling move to the new rate on your next billing cycle means it can land a month or two after the announcement. Logging the price you actually pay is the simplest way to catch it.
On cost, the levers are the annual Individual plan (billed once a year, it works out cheaper than twelve monthly payments), the Student plan at $6.99 if you can verify enrolment, and the Apple One bundle, which folds Music in with iCloud+, Apple TV+ and Arcade and can beat buying those services separately. With licensing costs still climbing, the practical move is to decide in advance which of those routes you are willing to pay for before the next increase arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Did Apple Music raise its price in 2026?
Yes. On July 17, 2026 Apple raised the US Individual plan from $10.99 to $11.99, the Family plan from $16.99 to $19.99 and the Student plan from $5.99 to $6.99, its first Apple Music increase in almost four years.
How much does Apple Music cost now?
As of 2026, US Apple Music prices are $11.99/month (Individual), $19.99/month (Family) and $6.99/month (Student).
Why did Apple Music get more expensive?
Apple said it raised prices "as a result of rising licensing costs," the fees it pays labels and publishers for its catalogue. It gave the same reason for the October 2022 increase.
How often does Apple Music raise its prices?
Rarely. Apple held the $9.99 launch price from 2015 to October 2022, then waited until July 2026 for the next increase, so roughly once every three to four years.
How can I pay less for Apple Music?
Pay for the Individual plan annually rather than monthly (it works out cheaper than twelve monthly bills), use the $6.99 Student plan if you can verify enrolment (it also includes Apple TV+), or get Apple Music through the Apple One bundle if you also use iCloud+, Apple TV+ or Arcade.