How to Create an App Store Account Without a Credit Card
Using an iPad without extra apps is dull. So the first thing a new owner does, of course, is play around with the device and see what it can do, and the second is install apps from the App Store.
There are a few options. If you live in Russia, you can create a Russian account, which makes sense. But the Russian store has fewer apps and no music. That’s where a US account comes in, created by entering not-quite-accurate details. I don’t like the idea, but there’s no other way — and by the way, every guide like this uses it.
How to create an account without a credit card
Signing up is simple. Here are the details without which you’ll most likely run into trouble.
- Choose the country. Install iTunes, open the iTunes Store, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the round flag icon. Choose United States from the list of countries.
- Start with a free app. To get the None option among the payment methods, don’t start with the “create account” button — start by installing a free app (you can’t install one without an account). For example, search for Skype (it says Free), click install and start creating the account. This method is also described in Apple’s help pages.
- Address. They say that if you enter Florida as the state, no sales tax is charged (State: FL — Florida, ZIP code 33609).
- Adding funds. You most likely don’t have a US credit card, so you can top up the balance with iTunes Gift Cards. I bought them here: pick a seller with a good price and positive reviews and buy. I bought about five $25 cards for different accounts — all of them were credited and work
- Redeeming the card. Launch iTunes, sign in, click Redeem in the right column of the iTunes Store, enter the code on the Redeem Code page and confirm.
- That’s it — you can check your balance and make purchases
P.S. You can’t top up a Russian account with a gift card (voucher)!
The link to the card store is an affiliate link: it costs you nothing extra, and the blog gets a small reward.
