A cautionary tale for folks considering buying and using an iPhone in Korea

[#basedcowboyshirt]

This is a followup to this thread: http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,13647.0.html

After being unable to purchase of update my apps for over two weeks, and after several emails to Apple customer service, I was told that under there terms of use, I cannot use my Canadian iTunes Store account while in Korea, and that my only option is to use store for the country which I am physically in, for which I need "A permanent address, payment method such as an iTunes card or credit card from that country" etc.

So, basically, what Apple has said is that all the apps I bought from the Canadian store can't be updated now, I can't download anything new, and I need to use the Korean iTunes store, which I can't because I don't have a Korean credit card.


This is just a cautionary tale. I know lots of Canadians and Americans that use their Canadian and US accounts no problem here, but there's always a chance that Apple will single you out prevent you from using content that you've paid for if you're abroad.

[Burndog]

Jailbreak your iPhone.  It's something that I would never contemplate at home, but with the terrible access to applications that we are afforded in Korea, I don't feel any sense of guilt...particularly when most of the apps that I added to my jailbroken phone are apps that I already paid for but can no longer update!!! 

It's incredibly easy to do btw.

[jkaufma1]

thats really interesting. i have friends who haven't had any problems and havent even heard of that happening to anyone else. i personally think a smart phone is a waste of time here but it all depends on how long you are planning to stay, in my opinion.

[Gunpo_Erin]

i just downloaded and updated a bunch of apps on my iphone through my canadian account, using my canadian CC here in Korea

[#basedcowboyshirt]

i just downloaded and updated a bunch of apps on my iphone through my canadian account, using my canadian CC here in Korea

I'm jealous. My Canadian CC and account worked fine for two months, then they blocked it. After about 6 emails back and forth with customer service, they still say they won't help me.

[Arsalan]

Actually, you just need to be persistent with them.  Try sending them a support ticket, and say something along the lines of: "I'm visiting S.Korea and my permanent address is in the USA/CA/AUS/etc (depending on your case). You can ask them to perform the changes for you on your Apple Account, or you can do it yourself.  No need for jail-braking as far as I know.

The only time you'll have trouble is if there is some show left in your purchases history that needs to be downloaded, or you have iTunes credit left.  You'll either have to spend it or ask them to clear it for you.

Not that I'm a mac fanatic of any sort, but thought I'd let you know.  Consider getting an android phone?

[weirdgirlinkorea]

I don't know about Canada itunes, etc, but I have the iPhone and I use my apple account on it. Sounds like it's a problem with your Canadien account. I would set up a new one (if it's not attached to Mobileme) and use your Canadien address and see if that works. My account is attached to Mobileme so maybe that's why I have no problem, I don't know. The only probs I am having is that the software (OSX) on my macbook is outdated so I can't sync and update my phone at the moment. (I'm buying a new laptop).
I would set up a new account if you can and try that. I think Apple (when you call) doesn't know a lot about the iPhone in Korea because they are not set up here the same as other countries.

This is a followup to this thread: http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,13647.0.html

After being unable to purchase of update my apps for over two weeks, and after several emails to Apple customer service, I was told that under there terms of use, I cannot use my Canadian iTunes Store account while in Korea, and that my only option is to use store for the country which I am physically in, for which I need "A permanent address, payment method such as an iTunes card or credit card from that country" etc.

So, basically, what Apple has said is that all the apps I bought from the Canadian store can't be updated now, I can't download anything new, and I need to use the Korean iTunes store, which I can't because I don't have a Korean credit card.


This is just a cautionary tale. I know lots of Canadians and Americans that use their Canadian and US accounts no problem here, but there's always a chance that Apple will single you out prevent you from using content that you've paid for if you're abroad.

[Arsalan]

Actually, you just need to be persistent with them.  Try sending them a support ticket, and say something along the lines of: "I'm visiting S.Korea and my permanent address is in the USA/CA/AUS/etc (depending on your case). You can ask them to perform the changes for you on your Apple Account, or you can do it yourself.  No need for jail-braking as far as I know.

The only time you'll have trouble is if there is some show left in your purchases history that needs to be downloaded, or you have iTunes credit left.  You'll either have to spend it or ask them to clear it for you.

Not that I'm a mac fanatic of any sort, but thought I'd let you know.  Consider getting an android phone?

[wong812]

I use my account from the UK iTunes store. You can make multiple accounts in various countries. http://www.iphonefreak.com/2010/03/how-to-create-an-itunes-account-in-another-country.html

[#basedcowboyshirt]

Actually, you just need to be persistent with them.  Try sending them a support ticket, and say something along the lines of: "I'm visiting S.Korea and my permanent address is in the USA/CA/AUS/etc (depending on your case). You can ask them to perform the changes for you on your Apple Account, or you can do it yourself.  No need for jail-braking as far as I know.

The only time you'll have trouble is if there is some show left in your purchases history that needs to be downloaded, or you have iTunes credit left.  You'll either have to spend it or ask them to clear it for you.

Not that I'm a mac fanatic of any sort, but thought I'd let you know.  Consider getting an android phone?

Thanks Arsalan,
That's exactly what I told them, though. I said that I'm a Canadian, with Canadian bank accounts, credit cards, and a permanent address in Canada, and they still say that I need to return to Canada to use the Canadian store front.

As for my account, I use my Canadian address (my parents' place) as well as all my Canadian billing info.

Here's a copy and paste of what he said
"Dear [my name],

I am very sorry, but you will not be able to update apps from the iTunes Store with that account.

[my name], the blocks can be removed once you are in the country your account shows.

[jonpurdy]

I have both an iPhone and older iPod touch here. They both work with my Canadian (with Canadian CC and parent's address), American (no CC) and Korean (no CC) accounts completely interchangeably. I've had no problems updating or purchasing new apps using any account.

I would suggest escalating to a higher level of technical support.

[paladin777]

I wonder if the iphones here will work with our networks back home. Like Vodacom or Mtn (Im from South Africa). Anyone know?

[oskinny1]

I had the same problem a few months ago with the US store. Call them. Tell them to remove the block. Emailing them will be pointless, even after I had the block removed I got an email saying removing the block was impossible. Call and be insistent
.

[kaymac]

They told me it would, so long as you pay out your contract when you leave the phone will be unlocked for when you return to your home country.

[Pierogi]

I don't think this should have been titled as a warning not to get an iPhone in Korea.  You should have just asked for help. I have an iPhone in Korea and I can download from the Canadian store. And if there was a problem, then there are always ways to fix it, like jailbreaking, or opening up a new account back home(set your computer country code to Canada, or whatever your home country of choice would be, then install a new iTunes), or even just getting a family member to buy the apps for you, there are probably lots more ways too. Also, even without paid apps, there are still lots of good free apps like Kakaotalk for free picture and text messaging, and Skype for free video calling. The iPhone 4 is great to have in Korea since the battery life is awesome on it compared to other phones that are out there, the camera is one of the best when it comes to cell phones, and the GPS comes in handy so often here for find things, help when you are lost, or sending a map to friends of where you are. There are lots more reasons, but just those alone are enough...

[#basedcowboyshirt]

I had the same problem a few months ago with the US store. Call them. Tell them to remove the block. Emailing them will be pointless, even after I had the block removed I got an email saying removing the block was impossible. Call and be insistent
.

Really? Because I'm almost at the point of giving up hope.

Have you had any problems since?

[#basedcowboyshirt]

I don't think this should have been titled as a warning not to get an iPhone in Korea. 

I said it was a warning to folks who were considering buying and using one in Korea. I never said people shouldn't, but I wanted to let people know that there's a chance they won't be able to use it to its full functionality without a giant pain in the neck.

[robotco]

should've got an android and rooted that *****

[likendogo]

Android is the better OS imo anyways

[cgreen]

The less information you give them, the better...

Same thing happened to me (American citizen), last year.  They would not allow me to update my credit card.  At first, I told them them my situation (living in Korea, permanent address in the U.S., etc...) and they responded also by saying that I cannot have access to the U.S. iTunes store because I live in Korea. 

A month later, I sent a service ticket saying that something was wrong with my account and that I needed it to be reset.  3 days later, without any inquiry about where I lived, etc..., they reset my account and sent me an email of apology.  I was able to update my credit card info and have had access to the U.S. iTunes store ever since.    I have since purchased an iPhone here in Korea and still have not had any problem accessing the U.S. store.  You're right though that they seem to randomly single people out because my husband has never had a problem.