Buy iPhone in USA and bring it back to Italy

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Level 1

7 points

Buy iPhone in USA and bring it back to Italy

Hi All,

I am currently in the USA for work and will be here for about 1 more month before going back to Italy where I live, unfortunately my iPhone broke and repair is impossible so my only options are going without a phone for more than a month (actually not real option as I use it for work too) or buying an iPhone here.

I have searched online and see many posts like this but nothing exactly the same.

I checked the 5G and LTE bands and they are different but the USA model have more than the Italy/EU model (I am looking at iPhone 15 specs) so that should not be an issue.

I know USA models now come with eSIM only but my Italian operator can provide me with a eSIM and I am currently using a temporary eSIM from a USA operator while I'm here.

I also saw a lot of people talking about not being able to use warranty outside the country you bought it and that's fine I guess but what about AppleCare+?

Will it work in Italy if I bought AppleCare+ here?

I will I have to wait to get back to Italy and bought AppleCare+ there?

Anything else you should lookout in this situation?

Any OS/App restriction?

Any issue with the Apple ID that only had Italian devices so far?

I really can't go a month without phone but neither I can ship it one from Italy, I guess my only option is buying it here but I don't want to have issue when coming back home.

Thanks a lot.

Gianluca

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 1:34 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ingo2711

Level 9

79,677 points

Oct 10, 2023 3:01 AM in response to Gianlu_98

...

IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD, APPLE TV and HOMEPOD SERVICE.

Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and HomePod to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device.

...

copied from: Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty

Apple Care+ has also some restrictions if it comes to devices, that have been bought in foreign countries.

Apple Care is also tied to the device.

Legal - AppleCare+ - Apple

As for iOS, some features are limited to certain countries and can not be used, enabled or disabled in other countries. For example, an iPhone bought in Japan can't mute the camera clicking sound, it is implemented in the Japanese iOS version. The availability of apps might also vary, for example social media apps on these foreign iOS devices.

You should use an Android phone for the remaining time in the US and buy your new iPhone in the EU or Italy.

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Answer 2

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,892 points

Oct 10, 2023 3:56 AM in response to Gianlu_98

Gianlu_98 wrote:

Hi Ingo2711 and thanks a lot for your reply.

For the carrier coverage I believe it will not be an issue as the USA model support all EU bands plus a few more.

The hardware differences reflect the different frequency bands supported in different regions. If you take a look at

iPhone - Supported 5G and LTE networks - Apple

you will see the North American models are completely different model numbers. They might look like the same list of radio frequencies, but there are differences. Apple would not go to the cost of creating different models unless it was necessary. There is a high probability they will not work well when you take them back to European region. Even if the radio frequency band issues can be worked around, there is a serious risk the Italian networks will refuse or be unable to activate eSIM for a permanent account (not roaming visitor)

You might also find there are problems with regulatory "Type Approval" which for Europe is usually the CE mark, and in USA will be a FCC approval. If the device does not have correct approval and appear on the official list it may cause problems.

My advice is to contact your home network in Italy with details of the USA phone you intend to purchase, and before you purchase, get confirmation it will work correctly when you return home to the Italian network without technical or commercial restrictions.

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Answer 3

Gianlu_98 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 24, 2024 6:53 AM in response to matteo_drago

Hi matteo_drago,

Since it was impossible for me to go without a phone for a month and I didn't want to buy a "temporary" phone I ended up buying it.

So far I have no issue back in Italy neither in other part of Europe where I have been in the meanwhile.

Also the guy in the Apple Store told me that it should not be an issue in any way.

I don't have data or proofs to prove it but so far I had no issue.

Have a nice day.

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Answer 4

Ingo2711

Level 9

79,677 points

Oct 10, 2023 1:53 AM in response to Gianlu_98

As you mentioned, an iPhone is meant to be used in the country of purchase, due to the built in hardware, that has to support local carriers.

And the warranty is also only valid in the country of purchase, Apple Care+ does not make a difference in that case.

And the iOS software is also tied to the country of purchase. An iPhone from the US will always install the iOS US version.

You can use your Italian Apple ID on a device from another country, but you can only install apps or content from Apple, that are available for the region, that your Apple ID is registered to.

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Answer 5

Gianlu_98 Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 10, 2023 2:36 AM in response to Ingo2711

Hi Ingo2711 and thanks a lot for your reply.

For the carrier coverage I believe it will not be an issue as the USA model support all EU bands plus a few more.

Regarding AppleCare+ maybe I was not clear, it was not ment to be a replacement of the Warranty, just wanted to understand if I could activate it and have it standard coverage and support in Italy anyway.

For the iOS version, is there any way to know the difference between the various versions?

I am a long time iPhone user and I never noticed any major difference (just some function release earlier in some cases).

For the apps and AppStore, I would not install any app not available in Italy anyway so I believe that is not an issue as well.

Thanks.

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Answer 6

Feb 14, 2024 3:33 PM in response to Gianlu_98

Ciao Gianlu_98

Vorrei sapere se hai risolto il problema? Anche io vorrei comparare iPhone 15 pro max in USA, ma mi sono preoccupato se Italia non accetta apple care+ che acquistato in USA.

Per cortesia, mi potresti fa sapere se hai risolto questo problema?

Grazie mille!

Chen

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