Brief Overview
- Apple will increase the prices of Apple Music subscriptions from July 2026.
- This is the first major price hike since 2022.
- The price hike will be observed in markets like India, the US, and the UK.
Apple recently announced that it is raising the prices of Apple Music, marking the service’s first major worldwide price hike since 2022.
For the Indian users, this is only the second price increase since the app launched.
Here is a detailed look at the new pricing and everything you need to know about the changes.
Why Did Apple Music Increase Its Price
Apple said the price increase is due to rising music licensing costs, due to which it now has to pay more to record labels and artists whose songs are on the app.
This is not the first time, however, Apple has given the same reason as the last time it raised prices.
No New Features Added
The most disappointing thing. Even though the price is higher, users are not getting anything extra, meaning there are no new features or extra benefits.
So even after paying extra, you get the same music library and the same playlists.
Apple Music Price Hike 2026
If you use Apple Music in India, here is what changed.
The Individual plan now costs INR 139 a month, up from INR 119.
The Family plan, which can be shared with other people, has gone up from INR 179 to INR 229 a month.
The Student plan now costs INR 69 a month, up from INR 59.
Apple Music first launched in India at just INR 99 a month. Prices stayed the same for years, even when Apple raised prices in other countries in 2022.
The first hike for India came in late 2024, when the price moved from INR 99 to INR 119. Now, less than two years later, prices have gone up again.
What Changed in the US
The price hike is not just limited to Indian users. It is happening in many countries at the same time, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe.
In the US, the Individual plan went from $10.99 to $11.99 a month. The Family plan went up from $16.99 to $19.99, and the Student plan rose from $5.99 to $6.99.
How This Compares to Other Apps
This price change also lines up Apple Music closer to its biggest rival. Spotify had already raised its plan costs earlier this year, with the Indian Individual plan costing INR 139 a month now.
So, Apple Music and Spotify now cost about the same in India.
Other apps like JioSaavn, Gaana, and YouTube Music are still cheaper for people who want to save money.
Part of a Bigger Pattern
This is not the only price increase from Apple recently. Just days before raising Apple Music prices, Apple had already increased AppleCare+ prices for Mac and iPad in India.
Moreover, Apple raised the prices of some iPad and MacBook models in June 2026. Hence, this Apple Music hike is part of a wider trend of Apple products and services becoming more expensive this year.
Should You Still Stick with Apple Music?
For the current users, who already have an Apple Music subscription, you probably will not be charged the new price immediately.
Apple usually applies new prices from your next billing date after telling you about the change first. New users who sign up after the change will pay the higher price straight away.
For now, Apple Music is still a bit cheaper than some other premium music apps in India, but the gap has become much smaller after this hike.
FAQs
Why did Apple Music increase its prices in 2026?
Apple raised prices because the cost of music licensing, the fees it pays to artists and record labels, has gone up.
How much will Apple Music cost after the 2026 price hike?
In India, the Individual plan now costs INR 139 a month, the Family plan costs INR 229 a month, and the Student plan costs INR 69 a month.
Which Apple Music plans were affected by the price increase?
The price hike affected all major plans, including Individual, Family, and Student subscriptions, as well as some Apple One bundles.
