As of early 2026, Microsoft no longer offers a standard free one-month trial directly through its Game Pass subscription pages like it used to in previous years. The popular $1/14-day trial and free one-month trials have been discontinued by Microsoft as part of subscription offer changes.

Instead:

  • New Game Pass subscribers typically purchase the full plan without a built-in free month.
  • Some regional or limited promotions appear from time to time, but they are not guaranteed or permanent.

So the short answer: there’s no universal free month offer directly from Xbox today — but that doesn’t mean you can’t get Game Pass for free or at a discount.

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Ways to Get Game Pass for Free or Cheap in 2026

Limited Time Promotional Offers

Occasionally, Microsoft partners with other brands or platforms to offer free Game Pass codes as a promotion. In early 2026, some users reported a limited-time offer tied to reading the Sea of Thieves manga on a Webtoon-style platform — which provided a free 1-month Game Pass code.

Note: These are temporary and may expire after the promotional period ends (e.g., around mid-February 2026 for this specific campaign).

Microsoft Rewards Points

Microsoft Rewards lets you earn points by searching with Bing, completing tasks, and shopping in the Microsoft Store. You can then redeem these points for Xbox Game Pass or gift cards, effectively giving you a free subscription if you earn enough points.

This isn’t a “free month” in the traditional sense, but it’s a legit “free” way to get Game Pass without paying money — if you invest time in earning points.

Retail & Hardware Bundles

Sometimes Game Pass trial codes come bundled with hardware purchases — like controllers, laptops, or accessories — which add a free month or trial code at checkout. These offers are intermittent and product-specific.

Special Events & Perks

Xbox often runs limited events like Free Play Days where certain games are playable for free over a weekend — but this doesn’t equate to a free Game Pass month. These events are perks for active subscribers or broader Xbox users and shouldn’t be confused with subscription trials.

How to Get Xbox Game Pass for Free or Cheap in 2026 (Legal Ways Only)

While an official Xbox Game Pass free month is no longer widely available, there are still legitimate and legal ways to get Xbox Game Pass for free or at a very low cost in 2026. Below are the only safe methods that actually work.

Xbox Game Pass $1 / ₹50 Promotional Offer (Limited Availability)

Microsoft occasionally brings back introductory pricing offers, such as:

  • $1 Game Pass trial (USA & select regions)
  • ₹50 or ₹99 introductory offer (India)

These offers are:

  • Usually available only for new subscribers
  • Limited-time and not always active
  • Shown directly on the official Xbox Game Pass page

Tip: Always check the Xbox website while logged out or using a fresh account to see if the promotion is available.

Get Xbox Game Pass Free Using Microsoft Rewards (Step-by-Step)

Microsoft Rewards is one of the best legit ways to get Xbox Game Pass for free.

How it works:

  1. Sign in to Microsoft Rewards
  2. Earn points by:
    • Searching with Bing
    • Completing daily quizzes
    • Playing Xbox games
  3. Redeem points for:
    • Xbox Game Pass (PC / Console / Ultimate)
    • Microsoft Store gift cards

With consistent use, many users earn enough points for a free month every 1–2 months.

✔️ 100% legal
✔️ No payment required
✔️ Works in USA, India and globally

Free Xbox Game Pass with a New Xbox Console

If you’re buying a new console, this is a bonus worth checking.

Microsoft and retailers often include:

  • 1 to 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
  • Pre-loaded or redeemable via code

Available with:

  • Xbox Series X
  • Xbox Series S
  • Special festival or seasonal bundles

Always read the product listing or box details before purchase.

Bundled Offers (Laptop, Controller & Telecom Deals)

Xbox Game Pass is sometimes bundled with other products, such as:

  • Gaming laptops
  • Xbox controllers
  • PC accessories
  • Telecom or ISP plans (region-specific)

Examples:

  • Laptop brands offering free Game Pass for PC
  • Controller bundles with trial codes
  • Limited telecom or broadband offers (varies by country)

These offers are not permanent and depend on the retailer or partner.

Trials Using a New Microsoft Account (With Limitations)

Some promotions still work only for first-time Microsoft accounts.

Important limitations:

  • Requires a new email & Xbox account
  • Often still needs a payment method
  • Not guaranteed to work every time
  • Repeated use may violate Microsoft’s terms

Best used once, not as a long-term strategy.

Summary:

In 2026, Microsoft no longer offers a standardized Xbox Game Pass “free month” trial across all regions — the official $1 or free trial that once existed has been discontinued.

However:

  • Limited promotions and partner offers can still grant you a free month.
  • Microsoft Rewards points can be redeemed for Game Pass.
  • Retail and hardware bundles can include extras.

So while the classic free month is rare in 2026, savvy players can still find ways to enjoy Xbox Game Pass for free or at a discount — if they know where to look.