Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel appears to have expanded its premium content offerings by rolling out Apple Music subscriptions for prepaid users. This move is part of Airtel’s growing content bundling strategy, which already includes access to Apple TV+ and now strengthens its entertainment portfolio with ad-free music streaming via Apple Music.
This development follows the Airtel-Apple partnership announced in August 2024, which aimed at bringing exclusive digital content to Indian consumers. In February 2025, Airtel extended Apple Music and Apple TV+ benefits to its Wi-Fi and postpaid customers, and now prepaid subscribers seem to be the next in line.
Apple Music Comes to Airtel Prepaid
Although Airtel has not issued an official announcement, the Apple Music prepaid offer has surfaced on the Airtel Thanks app. The notification reads: “Get Apple Music at no extra cost for up to 6 months.” This indicates that eligible Airtel prepaid users can enjoy six months of free Apple Music before transitioning to the standard subscription cost of ₹119 per month.
The eligibility criteria are not fully clear at this point, but some users have reported that the Apple Music free subscription is being offered even on non-Unlimited 5G plans. Prepaid subscribers are encouraged to check the Airtel Thanks app to see if the benefit is available to them.
With Apple Music on Airtel prepaid, users can now enjoy ad-free streaming, curated playlists, offline downloads, and Dolby Atmos tracks, making it a major value addition for India’s growing base of music enthusiasts.
Airtel and Perplexity AI Partnership
Interestingly, this move comes just weeks after Airtel announced a strategic collaboration with Perplexity AI in July 2025. Under this partnership, all Airtel subscribers gain complimentary access to Perplexity Pro, a premium plan valued at ₹17,000 annually. The plan includes advanced AI models, file uploads, image generation, and other premium features.
By offering both Apple Music free subscription and Perplexity AI premium access, Airtel is building a strong digital ecosystem to keep users engaged beyond just telecom services. This signals a clear shift towards positioning Airtel as not just a telecom provider but also a lifestyle and entertainment enabler.
Airtel’s Content Bundling Strategy
Airtel’s consistent efforts to bundle entertainment subscriptions with its plans indicate a strategy aimed at boosting customer retention and user acquisition. Competing with Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, Airtel is using Apple partnerships to differentiate itself in the premium segment.
The inclusion of Apple Music with Airtel prepaid plans could potentially attract India’s youth, who prefer prepaid services but also seek high-quality digital entertainment. With the addition of Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Perplexity AI Pro, Airtel prepaid users now have access to a wide range of premium content and digital services at no extra cost for the initial period.
The availability of Apple Music free subscription on Airtel prepaid plans marks another milestone in Airtel’s digital-first strategy. While official details on eligibility and plan-specific benefits are awaited, the rollout on the Airtel Thanks app suggests that prepaid users can now enjoy six months of Apple Music free, followed by a ₹119 monthly charge.
By combining music streaming, video content, and AI-powered services, Airtel continues to redefine the telecom landscape in India. Subscribers are advised to keep checking the Airtel Thanks app for updates on eligibility and activation of the Apple Music prepaid offer.
