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Buying from US store internationally

G

Gulfam

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 30, 2017
34
4
I'm in the UK and have one of my Apple IDs set to the US region. I've so far only linked my Movies Anywhere account to the iTunes account and haven't actually bought anything (which would require redeeming a gift card beforehand anyway).

I was wondering whether others non-US members here use the US iTunes store to buy movies and TV shows (there's definitely more choice and more sales, and now with Movies Anywhere, UV codes can be bought for cheap and the titles transferred to iTunes)?

My main concern is that iTunes will region lock the content so that it cannot be watched outside the US and I'd be locked out of my collection. Is it worth building a collection on a US account if you live outside the US or is it best to stick to your own region?
 
iTunes has been around for almost 15 years and there has never been any sort of geolocation (aside from payment method). You're probably OK.

With that said, I recommend keeping a backup copy of everything (although that's apparently not currently possible with UHD content).
 
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Nermal said:
iTunes has been around for almost 15 years and there has never been any sort of geolocation (aside from payment method). You're probably OK.

With that said, I recommend keeping a backup copy of everything (although that's apparently not currently possible with UHD content).
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying.

Regarding backup copies, one of the reasons I want to switch from physical media to digital is to minimise extra steps (I'm lazy lol). I normally hear most iTunes users talking about backing up their media and that puts me off digital services like iTunes, not just because of the extra steps but more so the idea my movies might be taken away, although I guess that's not too much of a worry as there arent too many instances where users have had their movies deleted from their digital lockers.

One other thing is, is there a way iTunes could notice I'm some dude from the UK using a US iTunes account and suspend my account, as I'm assuming it's against their terms and conditions to be using a different region account to your own?
 
Gulfam said:
Thanks for replying.

Regarding backup copies, one of the reasons I want to switch from physical media to digital is to minimise extra steps (I'm lazy lol). I normally hear most iTunes users talking about backing up their media and that puts me off digital services like iTunes, not just because of the extra steps but more so the idea my movies might be taken away, although I guess that's not too much of a worry as there arent too many instances where users have had their movies deleted from their digital lockers.

One other thing is, is there a way iTunes could notice I'm some dude from the UK using a US iTunes account and suspend my account, as I'm assuming it's against their terms and conditions to be using a different region account to your own?
Click to expand...

You sound an honest guy and respect to you. My experience from Apple is that they don't see you, they see your credit card so as long as they get your money, they won't notice where you are based. As much as I like some of their stuff, i've realised that they want money and lots of it and that's it. It is what it is. Souless. It's business to them. Hey, at least you're not doing what 99% of the rest of the world is doing and just illegally downloading a film from the Internet. You're purchasing :) :) :)

Also, definitely back up a film but it's not a big job, my way around it is easy. I don't have the space on my MacBook to keep them so, I download it once and then I connect my hard drive to the MacBook and perform a back up via TimeMachine. Then I write down the date that the film was backed up in case that I ever need to restore it. I can watch it anytime on my MacBook via iCloud and the same with my Apple TV 4K. Some I keep on my iPhone X for when I travel etc - i download them directly to the iPhone etc. Also, just back up the films that you absolutely love. I'm hoping that Apple prevents films from disappearing now considering they only offer 4K for streaming and of course are pushing ATV like crazy otherwise there could be some serious lawsuits. I mean, how do you tell your 5 year old son that Apple has stolen his favourite film collection in the night???
 
I do it all the time with my US account and I’ve never had any problems. And I’ve been in the UK for almost 10 years...
 
BODYBUILDERPAUL said:
My experience from Apple is that they don't see you, they see your credit card so as long as they get your money, they won't notice where you are based.
Click to expand...

They most certainly do see you and are aware of where you are.
I received this email after downloading an app to my then new ATV4K.
Whether or not they will eventually do anything to prevent this is anyone’s guess but to say they don’t know isn’t strictly true.
9420b76f6c2853be8e00ecd6fe74cc3f.jpg
 
Gulfam said:
I'm in the UK and have one of my Apple IDs set to the US region. I've so far only linked my Movies Anywhere account to the iTunes account and haven't actually bought anything (which would require redeeming a gift card beforehand anyway).

I was wondering whether others non-US members here use the US iTunes store to buy movies and TV shows (there's definitely more choice and more sales, and now with Movies Anywhere, UV codes can be bought for cheap and the titles transferred to iTunes)?

My main concern is that iTunes will region lock the content so that it cannot be watched outside the US and I'd be locked out of my collection. Is it worth building a collection on a US account if you live outside the US or is it best to stick to your own region?
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1514504411][/doublepost]Just wondering how you subscribed to movies anywhere from the uk,

The app itself is geo blocked and also requires a US email account.

In order to have / and or get a US email you need a US phone number for verification.

Geo blocking works for vudu as an example, but screws with other apps on the Apple TV, Amazon app will not allow access to its service with geo blocking on.

Maybe I'm missing something.

My US iTunes account works fine for now , I'm backing up and using a drm stripper for watching offline.
 
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-Gonzo- said:
They most certainly do see you and are aware of where you are.
Click to expand...

They see but they don’t care. If you’re from US store they just treat you like all US customer. No question ask. One support had asked me what my time zone is so he can provide the most appropriate CS call back to me. I gave it to him, he has Singapore support called me. Done. He didn’t question me any further.

This works better than what Netflix & other did. If you’re a Netflix customer and fly to Japan. Tough luck. You have to download things to your devices in advance or you’ll lose access while if you’re an iTunes customer you can go anywhere in the world and still be able to get to your contents. And Apple customers clearly travel a lot.
It’s a much better model.
 
Last edited:
matrix07 said:
They see but they don’t care. If you’re from US store they just treat you like all US customer. No question ask. One support had asked me what my time zone is so he can provide the most appropriate CS call back to me. I gave it to him, he has Singapore support called me. Done. He didn’t question me any further.
Click to expand...
It never worked for me. To register a credit card in US store, you would need a US-issued credit card. Which I don't have. A MasterCard issued by Estonian bank is no good for any other iTunes store, but Estonian.
Are you telling me, that you can register a foreign-issued card in US store account???
 
priitv8 said:
It never worked for me. To register a credit card in US store, you would need a US-issued credit card. Which I don't have. A MasterCard issued by Estonian bank is no good for any other iTunes store, but Estonian.
Are you telling me, that you can register a foreign-issued card in US store account???
Click to expand...



Don't bother with a credit card just buy US issued iTunes vouchers.

I use these

https://mobile.pcgamesupply.com

Very swift, and reliable. For more security use PayPal
 
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priitv8 said:
It never worked for me. To register a credit card in US store, you would need a US-issued credit card. Which I don't have. A MasterCard issued by Estonian bank is no good for any other iTunes store, but Estonian.
Are you telling me, that you can register a foreign-issued card in US store account???
Click to expand...

you can just use iTunes cards from the country on the acct. I do this all the time as I have a US,UK, and an Australian iTunes acct.
 
priitv8 said:
It never worked for me. To register a credit card in US store, you would need a US-issued credit card. Which I don't have. A MasterCard issued by Estonian bank is no good for any other iTunes store, but Estonian.
Are you telling me, that you can register a foreign-issued card in US store account???
Click to expand...

Just use iTunes Gift Card. There’re many sellers selling it online.
 
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