You’re right to wonder about “YouTube Premium free”! While there isn’t a permanent, completely free version of YouTube Premium with all its features, there are definitely ways to experience it for free for a limited time. Here’s a breakdown of the “free” options and what to expect:
1. The Official YouTube Premium Free Trial:
- What it is: This is the most common and legitimate way to get YouTube Premium for free. YouTube offers a trial period to new subscribers.
- Duration: The typical trial period is 1 month (30 days), but sometimes you might see promotional offers for longer trials (e.g., 2 or 3 months).
- What you get: During the free trial, you get access to all the benefits of YouTube Premium:
- Ad-free viewing across YouTube.
- Background play on mobile devices.
- Downloads for offline viewing.
- Access to YouTube Music Premium.
- Ad-free experience on YouTube Kids.
- Access to YouTube Originals (if still available in your region).
- How to get it:
- Go to the YouTube Premium landing page (usually linked within the YouTube app or website).
- Sign in with your Google account if you haven’t already.
- You should see an option to “Try it Free.”
- You’ll need to enter your payment information (credit card or PayPal) to start the trial. Crucially, you will not be charged until the trial period ends.
- Make sure to set a reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to continue with a paid subscription.
- Important Considerations:
- This offer is usually only available to new YouTube Premium subscribers. If you’ve had a free trial or a paid subscription before, you likely won’t be eligible again.
- You need a valid payment method to start the trial.
- You need to manually cancel the subscription before the trial period ends to avoid being charged.
2. Bundled Offers with Other Services:
- What it is: Sometimes, other companies offer YouTube Premium as part of a bundle with their own services.
- Examples:
- Mobile Carrier Promotions: Some mobile phone carriers might offer a limited-time free trial or even include YouTube Premium as part of certain phone plans.
- Hardware Purchases: Occasionally, purchasing a new Google Pixel phone or other Google devices might come with a free trial of YouTube Premium.
- Other Subscription Bundles: Keep an eye out for potential partnerships where YouTube Premium could be bundled with other subscription services.
- How to find them: These offers are usually specific to the provider. Check with your mobile carrier, look at the terms and conditions when purchasing new Google hardware, or be aware of any promotional emails or announcements from other services you use.
- Important Considerations:
- The duration of these bundled free trials can vary.
- You might need to meet specific conditions (e.g., be a new customer of the bundled service).
- As with the direct trial, you’ll likely need to cancel before the free period ends if you don’t want to continue paying.
3. Promotional Offers and Contests:
- What it is: YouTube or other companies might occasionally run limited-time promotions or contests where you can win a free subscription to YouTube Premium.
- How to find them: Keep an eye on official YouTube social media channels, creator promotions, and tech news websites for any such offers.
- Important Considerations: These are usually rare and have specific terms and conditions.
Things to be Cautious Of (Not Legitimate “Free” Options):
- “Hacks” or Unofficial Methods: Be very wary of websites, apps, or videos claiming to offer “free YouTube Premium” through unofficial methods. These are often scams, can involve downloading malware, or might require you to share personal information that could be misused. It’s best to stick to official channels.
- Shared Accounts: While you might be tempted to share a YouTube Premium account with family or friends (which is allowed within a household for a family plan), this isn’t a “free” way for everyone involved. Someone is still paying for the subscription.
In summary, the only legitimate way to get YouTube Premium for free is through the official free trial or through bundled promotional offers that provide a limited-time free subscription. Be cautious of any other claims of permanently free access, as they are likely to be unreliable or even harmful.
Your best approach is to:
- Check the official YouTube Premium page for their current free trial offer.
- Inquire with your mobile carrier about any potential bundled promotions.
- Keep an eye out for legitimate contests or giveaways.
Enjoy your temporary ad-free YouTube experience! Just remember to manage your subscription accordingly if you don’t plan to continue with a paid membership.