Verizon to End Free Subscriptions on Phone Plans Starting September 22, 2025

Verizon will discontinue free Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass subscriptions on its phone plans starting September 22, 2025. Customers with six months of free subscriptions will be charged if the promotional period ends before September 25, unless they cancel. The change follows other price hikes, including a $4/month increase in March 2024 and a January 2025 increase due to rising operational costs.

Verizon Communications Inc. has announced that it will discontinue free subscriptions to Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass for customers on select legacy 5G plans, effective September 22, 2025. This decision follows a series of price adjustments and operational cost increases, including a $4/month increase in March 2024 and a January 2025 increase [2].

The change affects customers who have been enjoying these perks as part of their older 5G Get More and 5G Play More plans. Verizon has notified affected customers via email and through their My Verizon app, informing them that the perks will be discontinued on September 22, 2025, and will be removed from their accounts on September 25, 2025 [1].

The free subscriptions to Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass were valued at $6.99/month and $4.99/month, respectively. Customers on these plans will need to cancel their subscriptions before September 25, 2025, to avoid being charged for the remaining promotional period. Verizon has encouraged customers to consider upgrading to their new myPlan options, which offer different incentives and are more aligned with the company's current business model [3].

This move is part of Verizon's broader strategy to streamline offerings and boost revenue in the face of intensifying competition and rising operational costs. Industry observers note that similar actions have been taken by competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile, who have also scaled back on bundled extras [2].

The discontinuation of these gaming perks could push subscribers toward paid subscriptions directly through Apple or Google, potentially altering user spending habits in the mobile entertainment sector. Verizon's new plans with add-ons are more expensive than the bundled plans that it offered in the past, which may lead to higher churn rates if not offset by compelling alternatives [2].

Looking ahead, Verizon's moves could influence how other providers structure their offerings. The company's recent initiatives, such as partnering with streamers for discounted bundles, suggest a shift toward entertainment-focused perks rather than gaming. This evolution aims to capitalize on households' growing number of connected devices and streaming subscriptions, potentially creating new revenue streams [2].

References:
[1] https://www.droid-life.com/2025/07/31/verizon-removes-free-apple-arcade-and-google-play-pass-perk-from-plans/
[2] https://www.webpronews.com/verizon-ends-free-apple-arcade-play-pass-for-legacy-5g-plans-in-september/
[3] https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/01/verizon-ending-perks-and-discounts/