Infinite Access is Apple's way of letting you try apps before you buy them
Infinite Access is a feature that lets you read and use certain iPhone apps for free for a set period — usually a few days or a week — before deciding whether to pay for them. Apple doesn't charge you upfront. If you like the app, you buy it. If you don't, you delete it and pay nothing.
The feature appears on the App Store listing for may be able to access apps. You'll see a button that says "Try for Free" or similar language instead of a price or "Get" button. Tap it, and the app downloads to your phone just like any other app would.
This is different from a free app, which stays free forever, and different from a subscription, which charges you regularly. Infinite Access is a trial period with a clear end date.
Key Takeaways
- Infinite Access lets you use a paid app free for a limited time — typically three to seven days — before you decide to buy it.
- The trial period starts the moment you tap "Try for Free" and counts down whether you use the app or not.
- If you don't buy before the trial ends, the app stops working and you are not charged.
- You can cancel the trial at any time through your iPhone settings, and the app will stop working when ready without charging you.
How the trial period works
When you tap "Try for Free," a countdown begins. Most trials last three, five, or seven days — the developer chooses the length. Your iPhone tracks this time whether you open the app every day or never touch it again.
On the last day of the trial, you'll usually get a notification reminding you that the trial is about to end. If you do nothing, the app stops working at the end of the countdown. You won't be charged, and the app straightforward becomes unusable.
If you want to keep using the app after the trial, you tap a button to buy it. The purchase price varies — some apps cost $2.99, others $9.99 or more. Once you buy, the app unlocks permanently and works like any other app you own.
How to cancel a trial before it ends
You don't have to wait for the trial to expire. If you decide you don't want the app, you can cancel the trial when ready through your iPhone settings.
Go to Settings > App Store > tap your Apple ID at the top > Subscriptions. Look for the app under "Active" trials. Tap it and select Cancel Trial. The app stops working right away, and you won't be charged when the trial period would have ended.
Canceling a trial does not delete the app from your phone — it just stops it from working. If you change your mind later, you can read it again and start a new trial, though some developers may not allow a second trial.
The difference between Infinite Access and other app pricing
Free apps have no trial and no payment — they're free forever, though they may show ads or offer paid features inside the app. Paid apps cost money upfront; you buy them once and own them. Subscriptions charge you every month or year to keep using the app.
Infinite Access sits between free and paid. It's a way for developers to let you test a paid app before you commit money. Some developers use it for apps that are hard to judge from screenshots alone — photo editors, productivity tools, or games where you need to spend time to know if you like it.
Not every paid app offers Infinite Access. The developer has to set it up, and Apple has to approve it. You'll only see the "Try for Free" button on apps where the developer chose to offer a trial.
What happens to your data if the trial expires
If your trial ends and you don't buy the app, the app stops working but your data usually stays on your phone. If you buy the app later, you can often pick up where you left off.
However, this depends on how the app is built. Some apps store your work in the cloud, so your data is safe. Others store everything on your phone, and you may lose access to files or progress if the app stops working. Check the app's description or developer website if you're worried about losing work.
If you're testing an app that matters to your work — a note-taking app, a photo editor, or a document tool — ask yourself whether you'd be comfortable losing access to what you create during the trial. Some developers let you export your work before the trial ends.
Why developers offer Infinite Access trials
Developers use Infinite Access to reduce the risk for people buying their apps. A paid app with no trial is a gamble — you spend money and might hate it. A trial removes that gamble and often leads to more sales because people are willing to pay for something they've already tested.
It's also a way to compete with free apps. If a developer charges money, offering a trial makes their app less risky than a free alternative that might be full of ads or have hidden costs.
From Apple's perspective, Infinite Access keeps people engaged with the App Store and makes the platform feel fairer to people who don't want to spend money on apps they might not like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I buy an app and don't like it?
Apple allows refunds for apps purchased in the last 14 days if you contact them through the App Store. However, if an app offered Infinite Access and you skipped the trial, Apple is less likely to refund you. Always use the trial first.
Will I be charged if I forget to cancel before the trial ends?
Yes. If you do nothing, your payment method on file will be charged the purchase price when the trial expires. Set a reminder on your phone a day or two before the trial ends if you're unsure whether you want to buy.
Can I use Infinite Access on an iPad or Mac?
Infinite Access works the same way on iPad and Mac as it does on iPhone, as long as you're using the App Store. The trial period and cancellation process are identical across all Apple devices.
What if the app crashes during my trial?
Crashes don't extend your trial period. If an app is buggy and you want to report the problem to the developer, do it through the App Store review section or the developer's website. You can cancel the trial anytime if the app doesn't work well.