YouTube Premium offers an ad-free viewing experience, background playback, downloads, and access to YouTube Music Premium – all for a monthly fee. While the service is certainly worth it for heavy YouTube users, many people want to try before they buy. This in-depth guide will explore all legitimate ways to get free YouTube Premium trials, how to maximize them, and important considerations.
Understanding YouTube Premium Trials
Before diving into how to get free trials, it’s important to understand what YouTube Premium offers and how their trial system works.
What Does YouTube Premium Include?
- Ad-free viewing across all YouTube content
- Background playback (videos continue playing when you minimize the app or lock your phone)
- Downloads for offline viewing
- Access to YouTube Music Premium
- Original content (YouTube Originals)
- Simultaneous streams on multiple devices
Standard Trial Offers
YouTube typically offers these trial options:
- 1-month free trial for new users
- Occasionally extended 3-month trials during promotions
- Student plans with discounted pricing after trial
- Family plans with shared access
Legitimate Ways to Get Free YouTube Premium Trials
1. Standard 1-Month Free Trial
The most straightforward method is using YouTube’s built-in trial offer:
- Go to YouTube.com or open the YouTube app
- Click on your profile picture
- Select “Get YouTube Premium”
- Choose the individual plan
- You’ll see the “Try FREE for 1 month” option
- Enter your payment details (required even for free trials)
- The trial begins immediately
Important: You must cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged. Set a calendar reminder for 29 days after starting.
2. Extended 3-Month Free Trials
YouTube occasionally offers extended trials through special promotions:
- New Device Promotions: Sometimes buying a new smartphone or tablet comes with extended YouTube Premium trials
- Carrier Bundles: Certain mobile carriers bundle YouTube Premium trials with their plans
- Seasonal Promotions: Look for extended trials around holidays or special events
To find these:
- Check YouTube’s official promotions page
- Search for “YouTube Premium 3-month trial” during holiday seasons
- Look at offers when purchasing new tech devices
3. Student Discount Trials
If you’re a student at an accredited institution:
- Go to YouTube’s student verification page
- Sign up with your school email or verify through SheerID
- You’ll get 1 month free trial
- After trial, it’s 50% off regular price
Verification requires:
- Current enrollment proof
- School-issued email or documents
- Re-verification every year
4. Family Plan Trials
The YouTube Premium Family plan allows:
- 1 month free trial for up to 6 family members
- All members get full Premium benefits
- After trial, single payment covers everyone
Setup process:
- Primary account holder starts Family plan
- Invites family members via email
- Each member must accept invitation
- All get Premium benefits during trial
5. Regional Pricing and Trials
In some countries, YouTube offers different trial lengths or pricing:
- India: Often gets extended trial offers
- Developing markets: Sometimes have special promotions
- VPN method (caution advised – see limitations below)
Important Note: Using VPNs to fake your location violates YouTube’s Terms of Service and could get your account banned.
6. Promotional Partnerships
Look for YouTube Premium trials through:
- Music festivals or events
- Brand partnerships (sometimes offered with other subscriptions)
- Credit card reward programs
- Mobile app bundles
How to Maximize Your Free Trial Experience
Once you’ve secured a free trial, make the most of it:
1. Download Videos for Offline Viewing
- Save your favorite content before trial ends
- Great for flights or areas with poor connectivity
2. Explore YouTube Music Premium
- Create playlists and download music
- Compare to other music services you may use
3. Watch YouTube Originals
- Check out exclusive shows and movies
- Many are only available to Premium members
4. Use Background Play Extensively
- Listen to podcasts or music while using other apps
- Great for tutorials where you follow along
5. Share with Family Members (if on Family Plan)
- Set up everyone’s accounts immediately
- Ensure all members benefit fully
Important Considerations and Warnings
1. Payment Method Requirements
YouTube requires a valid payment method even for free trials. This means:
- You must enter credit card or PayPal information
- The service will automatically bill you if not canceled
- Prepaid cards often don’t work for trials
2. Cancellation Policies
To avoid charges:
- Cancel at least 24 hours before trial ends
- Canceling immediately still gives full trial period
- You lose access immediately if you cancel during trial
3. Multiple Trial Limitations
YouTube’s system tracks:
- Previous trial usage on your account
- Sometimes device or payment method history
- Generally only one trial per account lifetime
4. Potential Workarounds (And Their Risks)
Some people try:
- Creating new Google accounts: May work but violates terms
- Using different payment methods: Often flagged by YouTube
- VPN location spoofing: Risky and may lead to bans
5. Ethical Considerations
While seeking free trials is legitimate:
- Creating multiple accounts artificially is against TOS
- Exploiting systems may lead to service limitations
- Consider supporting creators if you use YouTube heavily
Alternatives If You Can’t Get a Trial
If you’ve exhausted trial options, consider:
1. YouTube Music Free Tier
- Has ads but offers much music content
- More limited than Premium but still useful
2. Browser Extensions for Ad-Blocking
- uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus, etc.
- Doesn’t provide other Premium features
- YouTube is cracking down on ad blockers
3. Background Play Workarounds
- Firefox Android allows background play natively
- Some third-party YouTube apps offer similar
4. Downloading Through Alternative Methods
- youtube-dl for personal archival (check legality)
- Screen recording for temporary offline access
The Value Proposition: Is YouTube Premium Worth It?
After your trial ends, consider whether to pay based on:
Heavy Users Should Consider Paying If:
- You watch hours of YouTube daily
- Hate interruptions from ads
- Frequently want offline access
- Use YouTube Music regularly
Casual Users Might Skip If:
- You don’t mind occasional ads
- Rarely need background play
- Don’t watch enough to justify cost
- Prefer other music services
Final Tips for Managing YouTube Premium Trials
- Always set a cancellation reminder – Calendar alerts prevent unwanted charges
- Explore all features during trial – Don’t just use it for ad-free, try everything
- Check for new promotions regularly – YouTube adds new trial offers periodically
- Consider sharing Family plan costs – Split with friends/family if continuing
- Provide feedback to YouTube – They sometimes offer extensions to engaged users
Conclusion
Getting a free YouTube Premium trial is straightforward through official channels, with the standard 1-month offer being the most reliable method. While there are ways to potentially extend your free access, most require creating new accounts or other methods that violate YouTube’s terms. The best approach is to use your legitimate trial period wisely, evaluate whether the service meets your needs, and then decide whether to continue with a paid subscription or explore alternative options. Remember that YouTube Premium not only enhances your viewing experience but also supports creators through subscription revenue sharing.
By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to enjoy YouTube Premium’s benefits risk-free during your trial period and make an informed decision about whether to continue with the paid service afterward.