NO ITUNES STORE IN ECUADOR??? WHY DID I BUY MY IPHONE???

Question

Level 1

8 points

NO ITUNES STORE IN ECUADOR??? WHY DID I BUY MY IPHONE???

Hello,
I must say I'm very disappointed with my recent purchase of an iPhone for 2 reasons:
1) I can't download applications because for some reason, it requests a username and password, which I assumed is for the iTunes store, well, turns out Ecuador DOES NOT have an iTunes Store ergo, I can't download music, nor applications. This brings me to think: "I bought an iPhone to use only the basic stuff of the phone???"
2)The maps application won't run here, I can see the map when it opens, but it won't find my current location!!! (I certainly hope I won't get the answer "probably your country does not have GPS" YES WE DO!!! and my previous's blackberry maps application worked like a charm here!

I must say I'm really disappointed, hopefully, someone will be able to answer my questions and help me solve my issues

iPhone, Other OS

Posted on Nov 6, 2008 6:42 AM

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Answer 1

Tbo6652

Level 4

1,087 points

Nov 7, 2008 5:46 AM in response to joseEcuador

Look for the "My Store" setting at the bottom of the iTunes Store main window. Make sure its set to Ecuador, if not, set it

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Answer 2

Nov 6, 2008 10:42 AM in response to joseEcuador

I'm confused.

Did you not check the availability of iTunes beforehand. You can still import music to iTunes and transfer it to the phone. I don't know if you can get apps - but an iTunes account won't cost you anything so try it and see. I find that this is a great way of finding out if something can be done, and a lot quicker than posting here.

Have you actually tried the maps outside or only inside? It could be that your phone could not lock onto a signal. I sometimes get this (especially inside buildings), but try in another location. Bit more productive than throwing my toys out of the pram. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick question - how did you activate the phone?

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Answer 3

Nov 7, 2008 2:45 AM in response to Adam Getliff

Adam Getliff wrote:

Have you actually tried the maps outside or only inside? It could be that your phone could not lock onto a signal. I sometimes get this (especially inside buildings), but try in another location. Bit more productive than throwing my toys out of the pram. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick question - how did you activate the phone?

I have to agree with Adam. How did you activate your phone in ecuador? You can still sign up on the US iTunes store and download the apps from the USA App Store.

About your GPS problem it can take up to 15 min to get a GPS signal if you don't network connection active. That is also a common problem with getting the GPS signal for the first time.

//Rob

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Answer 4

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Nov 7, 2008 4:40 AM in response to Robert Engstrom

Robert Engstrom wrote:

Adam Getliff wrote:

I have to agree with Adam. How did you activate your phone in ecuador? You can still sign up on the US iTunes store and download the apps from the USA App Store.

You can only download apps from the US App Store if you're in the US or have a US location.

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Answer 5

joseEcuador Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2008 4:58 AM in response to Tamara

Hi, This is JoseEcuador again, just wiht a different account, you see, Movistar is a provider of iPhone here in Ecuador, if you're wondering, this iPhone is NOT rogue activated. I've tried my GPS outside, inside, atop a building and it just won't work.

I'm sorry about the other reply saying that I should have checked before buying my phone, but if Movistar and Apple are offering the iPhone here, BOTH should make sure that all its features work!!!

Probably this is easy for you to say, because living in countries where the store has been available from its conception, you have never had to deal with these problems...

People, I'm not throwin a tantrum here... I'm just hoping to get someone to hear, and see what solutions we can get to my problems..

indeed I can't create an account in the US, since my credit card, and my whole addres structure is located in Ecuador... when the system notes that I'm trying to register an acct with an Ecuador credit card it immediately rejects it!

thanks again for your help

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Answer 6

Tbo6652

Level 4

1,087 points

Nov 7, 2008 5:20 AM in response to joseEcuador

do you have the iPhone 3G or the original iPhone? Where exactly did you buy it?...iTunes is definitely available in Ecuador.

"*indeed I can't create an account in the US, since my credit card, and my whole addres structure is located in Ecuador...* "

are you in the US trying to do this?

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Answer 7

joseEcuador Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2008 5:20 AM in response to Tbo6652

I have the iPhone 3G, purchased in Ecuador, from the cell phone provider company called Movistar, a branch of Telefonica, and iTunes "software" is definately available in Ecuador... iTunes "STORE" is NOT available in Ecuador

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Answer 8

salons

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2008 9:29 AM in response to joseEcuador

Im from Malta and got the same problem ecuador, i just bought my new 3g iphone but itunes store and app store is not available in our country. I also tried to create an account outside my country but could not work as credit card location was different, i also created a click & buy account but could not work neighter. Can apple tell us when itunes will be available in our country or what can we do to have the full benefits?

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Answer 9

joseEcuador Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 10, 2008 5:44 PM in response to roaminggnome

I did not expect an answer to THAT particular question here.... I know what a FORUM is.... but I've taken my enquiry to other levels and different stages in the Apple chain of customer service and.... AS USUAL, NO ANSWERS!!!

thank you

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Answer 10

Nov 10, 2008 6:00 PM in response to joseEcuador

joseEcuador wrote:
Hello,
I must say I'm very disappointed with my recent purchase of an iPhone for 2 reasons:
1) I can't download applications because for some reason, it requests a username and password, which I assumed is for the iTunes store, well, turns out Ecuador DOES NOT have an iTunes Store ergo, I can't download music, nor applications. This brings me to think: "I bought an iPhone to use only the basic stuff of the phone???"

I'm sure Apple would LOVE to have an iTunes store in Ecuador. If they don't it is because local laws or industry agreements are preventing them.

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Answer 11

Dec 9, 2008 8:42 AM in response to joseEcuador

ok i read the whole conversation here and no one is giving you an answer so I will.

there is only ONE solution to your problem:

1- you need to realize that you will not be able to buy software or music thru the apple store PERIOD.
2- my brother had the same problem and i fix it for him. try to download a FREE song or program in ITUNES and it will ask you to open an account. you need to have a USA address, either a friend or someone you know and put it as yours. it will NOT ask for your credit card and don't try to put any credit card information bc you don't have one. after this you will have an itunes id and you will be able to download anything on the itunes store that it is free.

there you have a solution for part of your problems. if you do want to buy something you need to get someone to buy you itunes gift card in the USA.

hope that helps!!!

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Answer 12

Dec 30, 2008 11:08 PM in response to joseEcuador

jose you are such a baby when i was reading this discussins i could imagine yourself crying because you couldnt get any apps hahaha. i live in ecuador too, and i own an iphone and im buying apps with a credit card from the u.s. thats how i solved my problem! i think that the itunes store should be coming to ecuador really soon so you really stop whining because you cant get any apps. there are some ways for you to get an account, but you wont be able to get anything. at least youll be able download the free apps.

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Answer 13

Jan 9, 2009 10:03 AM in response to coco_vega

You could get iTunes gift cards for the USA iTunes store and use that to buy apps with. You can still register an account with the USA iTunes store even without a credit card opposite to what Tamara have said.

//Rob

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Answer 14

Dec 9, 2008 4:38 PM in response to Tamara

This still works http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534 (Create an iTunes App Store account without a credit card) but it's no help if you don't have an iTunes store in your country.

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Answer 15

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Nov 6, 2008 8:37 AM in response to joseEcuador

What version of iTunes do you have and what OS are you using?

As far as the maps, try rebooting the phone (hold the sleep/wake and home button until the Apple logo appears).

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