How to Handle Apple's Paid Services?
Work out your needs and budget first, then choose your region and plan, and really make use of Apple's paid services.
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#What do you need?
Before you start tinkering, be clear about your needs and budget. Otherwise, in today's flood of information, plus the fact that the hands-on process has a certain barrier to entry, it's easy to lose focus and fall into an endless time sink, which isn't worth it.
If you're only interested in a few specific paid apps in the App Store (such as TikTok, Instagram, and so on), you can simply register an account for a region outside mainland China and download them. For a registration guide, see How to Register an Apple ID.
But if you want a better experience with Apple's built-in paid services, such as Apple Music and Apple Fitness+, then you'll need to do some proper research.
#Apple Paid Services
Let's first look at which services Apple offers in different countries and regions, and how much they cost.
#🇺🇸 US Services
As Apple's home base, the US offers the most comprehensive set of services. Other regions will have fewer services and smaller catalogs, so it's convenient to use the US as a reference. However, US pricing isn't necessarily the cheapest.
| Service | Description | Target Users | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | Streaming music service with over 70 million songs | Individual users, family users | Offers catalog browsing, daily recommendations, DJ-hosted radio and more |
| Apple TV+ | Streaming video service with original shows and films | Individual users, family users | Exclusive original content, such as Ted Lasso |
| Apple Arcade | Game subscription service with 100+ ad-free games | Individual users, family users | Exclusive game content across phones, TVs and other platforms |
| iCloud+ | Cloud storage and cloud services | Individual users, family users | Storage plans ranging from 50GB to 2TB |
| Apple One | Bundles multiple Apple services | Individual users, family users | Combines several Apple services into a bundled subscription |
| AppleCare+ | Extended warranty for devices | Individual users | Extends the warranty period for iPhone, iPad and other devices |
| Apple Fitness+ | Fitness class subscription service | Individual users, family users | Requires an Apple Watch; offers a wide range of workout classes |
#🇺🇸 US Pricing
A summary of the prices for these Apple services:
| Service | Individual Plan | Family Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | $9.99/month | $14.99/month (up to 6 people can share) |
| Apple TV+ | $4.99/month | $4.99/month (up to 6 people can share) |
| Apple Arcade | $4.99/month | $4.99/month (Family Sharing) |
| iCloud+ 50GB | $0.99/month | - |
| iCloud+ 200GB | $2.99/month | $9.99/month (Family Sharing) |
| iCloud+ 2TB | $9.99/month | $19.99/month (Family Sharing) |
| Apple One Individual | $14.95/month | - |
| Apple One Family | - | $19.95/month (up to 6 people can share) |
| AppleCare+ for iPhone | $9.99/month or from $149* | - |
| Apple Fitness+ | $9.99/month | $14.99/month (Family Sharing) |
If what you need is basically the whole Apple family bundle, you can consider finding someone to split an Apple One subscription with you.
The contents and specifications of the Apple One subscription tiers are summarized below:
| Tier | Included Services | iCloud Storage | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+ | 50GB | $16.95 |
| Family | Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+ | 200GB | $22.95 |
| Premier | Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, iCloud+ | 2TB | $32.95 |
Official pricing screenshot: