Can I REJECT Creator Studio Free Trial on new M4 Mac mini?

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Level 2

282 points

Can I REJECT Creator Studio Free Trial on new M4 Mac mini?

I just got my new M4 Mac Mini up and running today. The migration utility moved everything from my old M2 Mini, with a few exceptions. Final Cut Pro, Compressor and Motion all give me this error message:

I went to the app store and downloaded the stand-alone version of Final Cut. When I attempt to start Final Cut, I get this:

I do NOT WANT Creator Studio, but there is no option to REJECT the free trial of it. What happens if I click the Accept Free Trial button? How can I get back to the stand-alone version of Final Cut Pro 12.2?

Mac mini

Posted on Jun 22, 2026 10:39 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old_Video_Guy Author

Level 2

282 points

Jun 22, 2026 12:15 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Luis, Apple was going to force me to accept the free trial. That was the issue! However, we can forget the whole thing. I found the problem. Apple offers TWO Final Cut downloads.

When I clicked on the "Go to App Store" link that Apple provides in this error message, it took me to the "purple"

version of the app, which is the SUBSCRIPTION version.

However, if you go directly to the app store and search for Final Cut Pro, you see this:

The Final Cut Pro app is the stand-alone version. The Final Cut Pro: Create Video app is the subscription version. I uninstalled the Create Video app and installed the Final Cut Pro app. Everything is OK again.

I attempted to edit my original post to update the situation, but even though I was able to edit it, the system would not allow me to save/update it.

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Answer 2

Jun 22, 2026 10:48 AM in response to Old_Video_Guy

Macs don't come with free trials of Final Cut. If you added Final Cut to your order of the Mac mini on Apple's Website you get the full version. Otherwise, you won't get Final Cut Pro at all.

If you just downloaded the app and it started a free trial, then you can cancel it before it renews from your account subscriptions.

click here ➜ If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support

Otherwise there should not be any mention of Final Cut anywhere on a new Mac.

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Answer 3

Jun 22, 2026 11:09 AM in response to Phil0124

I see you edited your post after the fact.

Anyway,

The new versions of those apps require a subscription, there is no way around it. If you don't want the subscription and by extension the free trial, then don't download the newer versions.

Your older versions should have found the purchase unless you logged in to the new Mac with a different Apple Account that does not have those purchases.

Make sure the Apple Account in System Settings ➜ Apple Account ➜ Media & Purchases is the same one you used with old M2 Mac mini and that purchased the Apps originally.

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Answer 4

Jun 22, 2026 10:46 AM in response to Old_Video_Guy

Old_Video_Guy wrote:

I do not want the Final Cut Free Trial on an new M4 Mac Mini

Nobody forces you to get the free trial... what is the problem?

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