Apple has restructured its most affordable cloud tier: the 50 GB iCloud+ subscription, which costs US$0.99 per month in Ukraine, now automatically includes access to the Apple Arcade game catalog and the Apple TV library of films and series. No additional payment is required for these services — they are activated together with the basic cloud storage. The changes are already in effect in more than 100 countries worldwide, including Ukraine, India, Moldova, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Turkey.
What changed in the basic iCloud+ tier
Previously, users who subscribed to 50 GB iCloud+ received only extra cloud space for photos, backups, and documents. Now this set is supplemented by two entertainment services: Apple Arcade, with its library of ad-free games and no in-app purchases, and Apple TV, with its catalog of films and series. For subscribers this means that for the minimum monthly fee they get cloud storage, gaming, and video content all at once, which significantly increases the value of the ecosystem's cheapest tier.
A strategy for small and price-sensitive markets
Essentially, Apple is changing its approach to promoting services in markets where users are more sensitive to price. Instead of aggressively selling more expensive Apple One bundles, the company is betting on the most mass-market and affordable iCloud+ tier, turning it into a "ticket of entry" into the ecosystem. This is especially relevant in countries where part of the Apple TV content is not fully localized: the availability of games and additional services becomes an incentive to subscribe even for those who do not critically need cloud storage itself. Notably, the US and other developed markets are not on this list — there the company continues to promote more expensive combined Apple One bundles.
Apple Music Select: a new experiment with ad-free radio stations
In parallel, in certain markets Apple is testing a new subscription tier called Apple Music Select, which offers a selection of ad-free radio stations. Customers of this tier will subsequently be able to switch to the full version of Apple Music at a special reduced price. Thus, the company is building an additional "ladder" of engagement: from free or cheap entry-level services to full-fledged paid products of the ecosystem.
Geography and global streaming expansion
The updated offer covers more than a hundred countries, as confirmed by data from several independent sources, including Macworld, RBC-Ukraine, Championat, and Gadgetbridge. At the same time, as part of a large-scale launch, the Apple TV service officially started operating in 59 new countries for the first time, expanding the company's presence to 170 regions of the world. This makes the "iCloud+ + Apple TV + Apple Arcade" bundle one of the geographically widest Apple offers at the current moment.
What this means for users in Ukraine
For a Ukrainian user the practical meaning is simple: by subscribing to 50 GB iCloud+ for US$0.99 per month, they immediately get access to Apple Arcade games and the Apple TV catalog without separate subscriptions. This makes the basic tier one of the most cost-effective ways to get Apple ecosystem entertainment content on minimal terms, especially given that more expensive Apple One bundles are not promoted in the local market. As of September 15, 2026, the changes are already in effect, and the new services are activated automatically when an active subscription is present.
