Using iTunes Store UK without credit card or itunes card (for teenager)

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Level 1

15 points

Using iTunes Store UK without credit card or itunes card (for teenager)

I've just spent two hours trying to set up my teenage neighbour's iTunes Store account to use with his new iPod Touch - and the experience is a complete usability failure.

He can't have a credit card in the UK yet, and doesn't have an iTunes redepemption card, but the setup GUI doesn't allow him to complete his signup without these. I can see no reason why he shouldn't be able to download free apps or free music.

Why isn't there an option to 'enter payment details later'? I've read articles online suggesting that you can get round this by trying to buy a free app, but it doesn't appear to work. In some countries, apparently there's a 'None' option - but not in the UK. Looks like he'll have to get an iTunes card to get registered. Is there a workaround?

Apple should improve this: the experience wasn't as painless as I'd expect from an Apple product.

This is on the latest iTunes on Windows XP.

MacBook 2.4GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Mar 30, 2011 2:54 PM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Mar 31, 2011 1:28 PM in response to Matt Gumbley

Apple is required by the content owners to verify residence in the country whose iTunes Store you're trying to use for music and other media content, even for free content, and the only practical way to do that is with a credit card or prepaid card issued in your country. So you must have either a credit card or a prepaid iTunes card to get the account set up. The easiest procedure would be for you to enter in your own credit card to get the account set up and then remove the card from the payment information afterwards.

If you only want him to be able to get the free iPhone apps, take a look here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534

Read the steps carefully as the order in which you follow them is apparently critical. This seems to come and go, or only apply to App Stores in specific countries, so you may not see the option for "None" when asked for a payment type.

He will of not be able to get anything other than apps without entering in some sort of payment method (credit card, prepaid iTunes card, gift certificate, etc.)

Regards.

Regards.

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Answer 2

Matt Gumbley Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 31, 2011 2:47 PM in response to varjak paw

Thank you Dave, I'll try this, and pass your reply on to his parents. They may choose the temporary credit card route.

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Mar 31, 2011 2:56 PM in response to Matt Gumbley

Sorry, I missed that this was your neighbor's son, not yours. It will of course be up to his parents to decide what to do.

Regards.

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