The iTunes software is performing a check when a user creates a new account to verify that the address of the user and his payment address are related. A credit card for instance would have to be from the United States as well if the user would select the United States as his country of residence. It is therefor not possible to create a US iTunes account the “normal” way unless US address and credit card are at hand. One way to get past this verification is to buy gift certificates and use them to create the account.
Some users probably prefer not to pay any money for the account because they just want access to the free contents and never make a payment in the store. The good news is that it is possible to use used coupons as well to create a free US iTunes account. Gift certificates could later still be used to add money to the account in case a purchase has to be made.
The benefits of having an US account are access to free songs which are updated regularly, to better promotions and music, movies or tv shows that are not available in other iTunes store yet.
The first thing you do is to download the iTunes software and install it. Once that is done start it and locate the Redeem link in the top right Quick Links menu.
This will load a page with a form that accepts coupons and gift certificates. All you need to is to paste a coupon code into the form and click on Redeem to send it to iTunes. Coupons can be found here or here.
The iTunes software will throw an error message if the gift certificate or coupon is no longer valid. That however is not a problem at all. Return to the homepage by clicking on the home icon in the upper left corner of the iTunes store.
Once the homepage has loaded it is time to create the account. You can do that by clicking on the Sign In button on the upper right corner of the iTunes store. It offers you login possibilities and a button to create a new account. Click on that button.
Click continue on the welcome page and accept the terms and conditions of the iTunes store in the second. This finally leads to the account creation page.
Enter your details on that page and continue to the next and final step of the account creation.
If everything went well you should now see the page where you can select a payment method and enter the address of the account. The payment method has to offer None as one option for this to work. If that is the case choose none. Now you need to enter an US address in the last step to create the account.
The zip code, state and city have to match. Everything else does not. Just select the location of a friend or relative to be on the safe side but it is practically possible to enter any information you like.
The account will be created in the last step and the contents of the US iTunes store are now available.
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Thankx for this informative post.
WHY COULDN’T YOU HAVE POSTED IT 10 HOURS EARLIER???
I was in the same dilemma, and was thinking of the exact same thing, but I bought in to it, and purchased a $15 iTunes Card.
At least I have this to turn too after the $15 is up. I’m going to find a couple of good iPhones apps and Music Videos to use the card with.
amazing thanks soo much its so annoying that apple dosent give u this option normally
It does say “US” account, but I thought I would try in Australia, but unfortunately it doesn’t work :-(
Im from Australia too..FARROUT THERE IS NO “NONE” OPTION
Im from US and der is no option NONE
Help me pls
Any way to do this for other countries???
I just did it without a coupon code. I couldn’t find one that worked, so I just made a new account, and had the “None” option just like your screenshot.
James, a non-working coupon is just fine. Without it you will not see the None option though as I recall.
Well, I tried in Brazil and it worked.
But I must say, before I started it, I went all the way down in the store and changed the country from Brazil to United States.
Had to use the address of a random restaurant…
Is there anyway to do this for the U.K. iTunes store?
Works brilliantly… Although the Oppenheimer Hotel in upstate NY might wonder why they have an iTunes account now. Thanks for this! Finally I can download HD content in the UK.
So…. Now that I’ve done that, how do I get US iTunes vouchers?
Looks like that feature no longer exists. I’ve been trying to over an hour different ways and can’t get the ‘none’ option to appear. :(
Hey, there’s a much much easier way:
- go to iTunes Store > App Store inside iTunes,
- choose any free iPod/iPhone application and click Get App
Voila – you will have the option to create the account without entering any credit card number (a *none option will appear near Payment Method)
in spanish, from the Mac Users Group Argentina
http://www.macusergroup.com.ar/foro/viewtopic.php?pid=87759#p87759
No none option in the credits page anymore… Or is it block from an Israeli IP :-(
I setup a US account (I live in the Netherlands) some time ago using a gift card I bought from ebay, because I want to purchase certain TV Shows that aren’t available here (no TV Shows in this part of the planet), and it works fine. I used my brother in law’s address as he is in the US.
I did notice you can use paypal these days, which is great improvement I think!
Well written, clear post!
Does not work from Israel.
Wow. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
To E.M:
I am connected from Israel. I tried a few coupon codes until I got the “None” option in the payment page.
thanks for this guide. been trying to find a way to make an account without giving my credit info. THANKS. gHacks FTW!
this is not working for me. neither is the coupon validated nor can i see the NONE option
Thanks for this tip!
I wanted to use the genius feature and was bummed that I had to put forth a credit card number.
After reading this article, I tried a few expired coupon codes and tried to make an account anyways.
The none option was there! Thanks!
[..]Hamza Saleem Ahmed says:
this is not working for me. neither is the coupon validated nor can i see the NONE option[..]
Salaam brother,
try to use the code from the picture above, it worked for me
;)
Redeem codes did not work for me, but the tip about downloading free iphone app was genius. Worked like a charm.
I followed the steps outlined and it didn’t work well (I am from India). But following the instructions from Deal Robot it was quite easy. !!!
It worked wonders! I had to try a few codes though.
Even if the coupon has expired,
If you followed the steps (to reach redeem from the quick links) you can still proceed to home page and create an account. Remember to have changed the country to US and you’ll see the ‘none’ option.
I am getting an “unknown” iTunes error 11111, “please try again later” when I try this trick (from Canada, on a US VPN). I wonder Apple has closed the loophole?
For those lovers of Japanese music (Jpop or Jrock), you can get an account at the Japanese iTunes store as well as prepaid cards at http:://www.jpopmp3s.com
Hi.. It looks like it worked.. as now I am able to download free tv shows, iphone apps, …
But I am still now able to purchase
Is it correct behaviour?
I did everything but the NONE payment method didnt appear? :(
In US, just tried the Free App method and it worked (11/4)
Thanks!
Sadly, it doesn’t seem to work now – at least for me. Oh well.
email me if it doesnt work for you, i got a way to make free itunes account m.tholel (at) g m a i l . c o m
I live in CR and I configued the account on US and is up and running..
Thanks for the help !
Oh i have solved a ‘BIG’ problem by your help…thankyou!!!!
-Deal Robot-
One question once you already establish your free iTUnes acct. will you be billed by mail or NO?
Hey,
it worked, but the drm-protected movies don’t work. It says “you need to authorize this computer” but even if it’s authorized with the new american account the movies won’t play. Any ideas? Please help.
g.
it’s not working after showing none option. Please enter valid Credit Card Details.
hey
will i tried ur way and it worked …i saw the none option..but even though when i filled the information and continue it returned and said : chose a method of payment!!!
i really need this account for my i-phone
plz ppl can any help :(
followed all tha steps and 4 sum reason after i choose the “none” option and enter the name.city,state,etc info and then hit continue
it says you need to enter a valid payment type y is this happening
The “none” option does not exist anymore?
U CANT CREATE AN ACCOUNT … ( ON THIS WAY ) THEY FIXED IT !
It dosen’t worked.
i tried it and the none option was there but underneath where there was the coupon number from before it said that the number was invalid, and i needed to put a new one in, so i guess it doesn’t work anymore
but then i tried the app thing and that worked! so thanks a lot for that :)
How Can You Do This In Australia??
Thanks
Unfortunately that loophole has been plugged by Apple too!
Now even with the FREE APP it asks for a mode of payment (even if you have clicked NONE), it shows an error message (at least in India).
Any new ideas?
Can Anyone provide me a US address. I know none.
tytytytyty this worked so much better tytytytyty peaceee
it’s not working any more, if anyone can help me would be great, thnx in advance
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