How to Score Free Food from The McDonald’s App

Let me tell you a little secret: I rarely pay full price for McDonald’s, and sometimes I don’t pay at all! How? It’s all about knowing how to work the McDonald’s app. I’ve been scoring free food using the app for a while now, and it’s honestly a game-changer. Here’s exactly how I do it, step-by-step.

1. Download the App and Create an Account

First things first, if you don’t already have the McDonald’s app, download it now. Sign up for an account and make sure to enable notifications. This is crucial because McDonald’s regularly sends out alerts for freebies and deals.

Pro Tip: If you have family members who don’t use the app, you can sign up for them too, and double your free food opportunities!

2. Check Daily Deals

Every day, the app refreshes with new deals. The best part? A lot of these deals involve free food with minimal (or no) purchase. My go-to is the “Buy One, Get One Free” deals or the “$1 purchase for a free item” offers. On good days, I can grab a free McChicken or a large fries just for buying a $1 drink.

Hack Alert: Sometimes, there’s a straight-up free item with no purchase necessary, usually when they’re promoting something new. I once scored a free large fries on National French Fry Day without spending a dime!

3. Earn Rewards Points for Free Food

Even if you’re not spending much, you can still rack up points through the McDonald’s Rewards program. You earn points for every order, and the more you accumulate, the more free food you can claim. For example, with just 1,500 points (which you can get after a few small orders), you can snag a free breakfast sandwich or a McFlurry.

My Trick: I stick to the cheapest menu items when I need to make a purchase to earn points. A $1 coffee can add up those points over time, leading to free burgers and more.

4. Sign Up for the Emails Too

In addition to the app, sign up for McDonald’s emails. They sometimes send exclusive coupons or promotions that aren’t available through the app. I’ve gotten codes for free desserts and BOGO deals just from reading my email.

Bonus Tip: Stack these email offers with app deals whenever possible. For example, you might get an email for a free drink while the app offers a free sandwich—boom, a free meal!

5. Take Advantage of Special Promotions and Events

McDonald’s loves to run limited-time promotions that offer freebies. Remember when they did the “Fry Days” promotion, where every Friday you could get free fries with any purchase? Or when they celebrated the BTS Meal launch by giving out extra rewards points? Keep an eye on these promotions—they’re usually heavily advertised in the app. They even have great local deals. When my local sports teams win, so do I!

Hint: During these promotions, you can sometimes find multiple deals for free food on the same day. Stack them up for an even bigger haul when allowed!

6. Refer a Friend for Extra Perks

The app sometimes offers referral bonuses. When a friend signs up using your referral code and makes their first purchase, you’ll both get rewarded. It’s an easy way to get extra points or a freebie just for spreading the word.

Strategy: Share your referral link with your family or on social media groups where people are into free deals. More sign-ups = more free food!

7 . Play the Games and Contests

McDonald’s occasionally adds games or contests to the app, especially during major promotions like Monopoly (I wish that would come back!) or seasonal events. I’ve won free sandwiches and fries just by participating. It’s all about checking in regularly and taking advantage of what’s available.

And there you have it—those are all the ways I’ve been scoring free food from McDonald’s just by being a little strategic with their app. It’s seriously become part of my routine. Whether I’m grabbing breakfast or a late-night snack, I always check the app first to see what I can get for free (or nearly free). Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how much you can save, all while enjoying those McDonald’s favorites!