Apple announced on September 15, 2026, that paid iCloud+ plans in more than 100 countries and regions would include Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no additional cost. The United States is excluded from this special bundle, so US subscribers continue to receive those services separately rather than through iCloud+.
Apple said the rollout is planned to continue through the end of September 2026. The change affects the paid iCloud+ subscription—not the free 5GB iCloud tier—and its practical impact depends on the subscriber’s country.
What paid iCloud+ includes
Every paid iCloud+ tier listed for participating markets qualifies, including 50GB, 200GB, 2TB, 6TB and 12TB plans. The entertainment services are included with the storage subscription; they are not standalone services made free for everyone.
Apple TV brings Apple’s original programming and other available content to the bundle. Apple says the expansion adds 59 countries and brings Apple TV to a stated total of 170 countries, although content and availability can vary by country, region and device.
Apple Arcade adds access to more than 200 games without advertising or in-app purchases. Compatible games can support offline play, and the service works across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV 4K. Family Sharing can extend the iCloud+, Apple TV and Apple Arcade benefits to up to five additional family members.
The bundle does not automatically mean full Apple Music access. In some regions, Apple Music Select provides ad-free curated stations, but full on-demand Apple Music remains a separate service.
What changes for existing subscriptions
Apple’s treatment of existing services varies by market. In some participating countries, Apple TV and Apple Arcade are no longer sold as standalone subscriptions, while Apple One is closed to new subscribers. Existing Apple One customers retain their plans where those terms apply.
For affected subscribers who already paid separately for Apple TV or Apple Arcade, Apple says access can move to iCloud+, with Apple Arcade progress and saved games preserved. The exact subscription transition depends on the market rather than following one global rule.
The United States is outside the bundle
The United States is not included in this iCloud+ arrangement. Apple continues to list iCloud+, Apple TV and Apple Arcade as separate US services, with Apple One available as a separate multi-service option.
| Service treatment | Participating-market iCloud+ | United States |
| Paid iCloud+ 50GB tier | Includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade | Does not include Apple TV or Apple Arcade |
| Apple TV | Included at no additional cost | Offered separately or through Apple One |
| Apple Arcade | Included at no additional cost | Offered separately or through Apple One |
| Free 5GB iCloud tier | Does not qualify | Does not qualify |
| Apple Music | Apple Music Select may provide curated ad-free stations in some regions | Full Apple Music remains separate from this bundle |
That makes the country list more important than the storage amount. A US customer can pay for iCloud+ and still not receive the two entertainment services included with the same paid storage tier in an eligible market.
What to check before changing plans
First, confirm that the Apple Account’s country or region participates in the rollout. Then check that the subscription is a paid iCloud+ tier, because the free 5GB plan does not qualify. Finally, distinguish Apple Music Select from full Apple Music and review how Apple handles existing standalone or Apple One subscriptions in that market.
Apple’s September expansion turns iCloud+ into a broader storage, streaming and gaming bundle—but only where Apple has enabled it. For US subscribers, the practical result is unchanged: Apple TV and Apple Arcade remain separate purchases or part of Apple One.
