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Purchase US app from another country

J

Joshuan

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 22, 2015
16
1
Hello everyone,

I was looking to purchase an app to aid in an academic research project for college but it's only available in the US App Store. I'm European and have a local App Store account associated with my country where I make all my purchases, but the app isn't available there. I also have an US App Store account but with no associated credit card since I don't have an US card. I tried to add funds using PayPal but again it doesn't allow me to do that using an European PayPal account.

Is there any way for me to purchase this app with my US App Store account without an US credit card? I do have the account, just no way to add funds to it. What about if I gift that money through PayPal to someone willing to help and then you give it back to me as some form of gift code or App Store credit transfer. Would that even work? And would anyone be willing to help?

This is not a game app or anything, just something I could use for a specific college work. The cost is $3.99

Thank you very much if anyone can come up with a working solution.

Much appreciated!
 
WordsmithMR said:
Can't you purchase a digital US gift card and add the funds that way? Should be relatively easy via eBay.
Click to expand...
Not sure how to purchase a digital gift card on eBay; aren't most deals there a scam? I did try to purchase an US gift card directly from Apple's website but again it was rejected because I don't have an American credit card.
 
I've purchased them a handful of times with no issue when they're on sale. Another option, if you don't trust eBay, is Gyft who also accepts PayPal and are legitimate. However they can take a few hours to send you the code.
 
WordsmithMR said:
I've purchased them a handful of times with no issue when they're on sale. Another option, if you don't trust eBay, is Gyft who also accepts PayPal and are legitimate. However they can take a few hours to send you the code.
Click to expand...

I wasn't familiar with Gyft. Can I purchase a code there without an US residence?
Also, will the App Store allow me to add the purchased gift code without having a credit card on file?
 
I believe you don't need one as long as you're paying through PayPal.

And yes, absolutely. That's how my mother used to let my sister make purchases on her iPhone. She gave her a gift card allowance bi-weekly.
 
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WordsmithMR said:
I believe you don't need one as long as you're paying through PayPal.

And yes, absolutely. That's how my mother used to let my sister make purchases on her iPhone. She gave her a gift card allowance bi-weekly.
Click to expand...

Man you're a saviour! I hope this works. I will definitely try it.
Your sister's account, are you sure that it never had a credit card reference in the past to activate it somehow? I worry if I purchase the code and then can't apply it to the account.

Also, Gyft's minimum purchase is $20 and the app I need is $3.99. Are you familiar with any similar service that would allow me to purchase a digital card of $10?

Thanks again. Feeling hopeful. :)
 
Yes definitely sure she didn't have a card. I was the one who set up their devices.

And unfortunately those are the only retailers I can vouch for. Amazon is an option but they usually sell their iTunes GCs at a higher price so I've never bothered.
 
WordsmithMR said:
Yes definitely sure she didn't have a card. I was the one who set up their devices.

And unfortunately those are the only retailers I can vouch for. Amazon is an option but they usually sell their iTunes GCs at a higher price so I've never bothered.
Click to expand...

Are they available in $10 on eBay? Do you know any trustworthy sellers there that provide the codes digitally?
 
I have an US account and there are $11.5 in that account. If you need, I would like to sell you and you can get all the details. Of course, you can change the password. I would never use it again. Do not worry:)
 
Joshuan said:
Are they available in $10 on eBay? Do you know any trustworthy sellers there that provide the codes digitally?
Click to expand...
I don't know how US gift card goes. But, $20 is supposed to be the minimum amount you can buy. Same here in Australia.

After buying that $3.99, you can just leave the remaining balance in account there, just in case you want to buy something more in the future, such as books or music.
 
Do you have a US colleague who could add more to your account via gift or even just gift the app? They can add the amount and you can then PayPal them the amount directly for no fee on either side. I've done that when I needed a UK balance for TV shows and for my UK friend when she need US dollars for US TV.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201783
 
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