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Q: iTUNES UK TO US ACCOUNT GIFT CARD HELP!

I have British iTunes gift cards that I want to use for my iPad Air, but I have an American account (I can't use pounds on an account that uses dollars). Is there any way I can still use these? Should I create a UK iTunes account and merge them later? If so, how do I do that? Please help! I have gift cards that I don't want to go to waste!

imac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 15, 2014 3:52 AM

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Q: iTUNES UK TO US ACCOUNT GIFT CARD HELP!

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 15, 2014 4:27 AM in response to scrapbooker
    Level 9 (54,543 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 4:27 AM in response to scrapbooker

    It isn't a pounds dollars thing, it's you cannot use a card in a different country's store to that where the card was purchased.  UK cards can only be used in the UK.

     

    You cnnot merge iTunes accounts or transfer purchases.

     

    In order to set up a UK account you would have to have a valid billing method for a UK account, namely a credit card or similar from the UK and billed to a mailing address in the UK.  Technically you are also supposed to be physically present in the country for which you are using an account.

     

    Easy solution?  Find a friend in the UK would would like a gift.

  • by scrapbooker,

    scrapbooker scrapbooker Jun 15, 2014 4:45 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2014 4:45 AM in response to Limnos

    Thank you for your quick response! I am living in the UK, and I have an iPad with a US iTunes account (I got my iPad in the states). On that iPad through iTunes, can I open a UK iTunes account to use my gift cards? Can two accounts (different ID's) co-exist on the same device by logging into each at different times? Also, when I move back to the states, will I loose everything I bought in the UK?

     

    Thanks!

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 15, 2014 4:56 AM in response to scrapbooker
    Level 9 (54,543 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 4:56 AM in response to scrapbooker

    The iTunes Store in a country is intended for use only by that country's residents, and only while they are in the country. To use the iTunes Store in a country you need a credit card (or other card type if acceptable in a country) issued in that country, billed to an address in that country, and also be physically present in that country when using the store.  You are also restricted to waiting 90 days between country changes.

     

    E.g., "The iTunes Service is available to you only in the United States, its territories, and possessions. You agree not to use or attempt to use the iTunes Service from outside these locations. Apple may use technologies to verify your compliance." - http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE

     

    Do you only have an iPad there and no computer?  I don't have an iPad so I don't know if it is possible to run two accounts off one at the same time, but I suspect not.

     

    When changing country you do not set up a different ID, you simply change the country for the current ID.  Before you change country make sure you have downloaded and backed up any purchases from your previous country's store.  You will not be able to redownload them again once you change countries and it won't be easy to change countries to the previous one once you lose your payment method for the former country (as well as a wait period).  As long as you have them on your computer you will be okay.

     

    Change the country of your iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, and Mac App Store account - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht6119

     

    I can't change the country of my iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or Mac App Store account - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5375

  • by scrapbooker,

    scrapbooker scrapbooker Jun 15, 2014 5:33 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2014 5:33 AM in response to Limnos

    Thank you so much for your thorough response. It helped me a lot! Thanks