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Get the Pandora and ABC player app on your UK iPad
Posted by Marcus in News, Tricks'n Tips
As the UK iPad launch fast approaches here’s some advice about how to get hold of, and use some US only applications. Pandora Radio and the ABC Player app will soon be streaming to your UK (or European) iPad by following this short guide.
To get up and running you will need to follow these 2 stages.
Stage 1.
A number of iPad and iPhone applications are only available in the US market, usually due to marketing rights so first you need to be able to download US only applications, so you will need a new US iTunes account. There are a number of ways to obtain a US iTunes account, however the following is the easiest I’ve come across.
Obtain a US postal address.
This can be any random US address, either google one or generate one at http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/ (You only need the US address, not fake name!)
Then follow these instructions. (The original instructions are on the CultofMac site, i’ve duplicated them here for easy of use)
1) Open iTunes and Log out of your iTunes Store account.
2) In the bottom of the iTunes Store window you’ll see a “flag” icon. Click on the icon or select Change Country. This where you can navigate to the other international iTunes stores.
3) Choose the United States iTunes Store.
4) Once you’re in the U.S. iTunes Store, DON”T create an account!!!!!! That’s the SECRET. Simply start browsing the App Store and find any FREE app and click to download it…
5) You’ll be prompted to log in or create a new account. Choose Create New Account.
6) Fill in your email address, password and security question.
7) The next window asks you to register a credit card, but if you register an international credit card, Apple will block your registration as it won’t accept your card (your international billing address will make you ineligible) BUT if you choose “None” you’re good to go. Note: This option is available ONLY if you try to download a free app first… When prompted use the fake US address you you made earlier.
You now have a working USA iTunes store account!! This account is good for any free app you want to download right away.
Stage 2.
Great, you have a working US iTunes account, next you will need to access a VPN that ‘lands’ in the US. The reason we use a VPN connection (Virtual Private Network) is to make it look like our request for streaming data originates from a US IP address. The diagram below shows how using a VPN it can give the website it’s accessing a differnt IP address. For our purposes this will fool Pandora/ABC that your request originated in the US.
Free VPN’s
I’ve not had much luck using free VPN services, however you may! Searching Google is the best option, heres one that offers an iPhone/iPad VPN connection but I was not able to get it to work.
http://www.hotspotshield.com/
Paid VPN’s
Personally, paying for a VPN makes sense to me not just for my iPad but also my Laptops. When I’m using an unsecured WiFi at my local coffee shop anyone could be listening in but if I’ve got my VPN encrypting the data it’s a great deal safer! I also use it on my media centre PC to gain access to Hulu .
My personal recommendation here would be WiTopia and it’s PERSONALVPN – PPTP plan at $39.99 a year. This allows you to use the VPN on your iPhone/iPad and PC/Mac, only one at a time though! In the 2 years I’ve used WiTopia I’ve never had a problem with the service and always found them responsive to any questions I’ve had.
If you go for another VPN provider just make sure that their VPN servers are located in the US before you buy, or you will not be able to stream US content!
Here are the instructions to configure your iPad/iPhone to the WiTopia VPN service. If you opt for another VPN provider things maybe a little different, but the method will remain the same.
SETTING UP THE VPN on your iPad/iPhone.
1. Choose “Settings” from Main Screen.
2. Choose “General”
3. Choose “Network”
4. Choose “VPN”
5. Choose “Add VPN Configuration”
6. Choose “PPTP”
Description: WiTopia PPTP (or whatever you want to call it)
Server: pptp.witopia.net
Account: “your WiTopia username”@witopia EXAMPLE: stevejobs@witopia
RSA SecurID: OFF
Password: Your WiTopia Password
Encryption Level: We recommend “Auto” BUT have seen where selecting “Maximum” was necessary.
Send all traffic: ON
7. Save these settings and connect.
TO CONNECT THEREAFTER:
1. Choose “Settings” from Home screen.
2. Switch VPN to “ON”.
Conclusion.
Your now all setup to enjoy free US apps and stream US only content to your iPad, next I’ll look at ways of financing your US iTunes account without a US credit card.
If you have any problems, leave a message and I’ll do my best to answer them!
Witopia blocks half the internet. I highly recommend http://www.acevpn.com over witopia. Pricing is about the same.
Hi, sounds interesting, I have found a site that gives you 33% off UK iTunes codes without having to do anything.
http://www.itunescodes.co.uk/pay
Thanks for info. I use ebay to buy US gift cards. Usually get the same exchange rate so about £65 for $100
what about those countries that block foreign content say china or UAE, will your suggestions work thru these.
Fantastic guide. Works perfectly and hotspotshield does a good job. On pandora now!
Too bad iTunescodes.co.uk doesn’t work anymore, I just found out that http://www.itunescode.co.uk does work
Thanks i purchased Witopa and set everything up but ABC doesnt work but hulu does any help please because it was pretty much a waste of £25
Thanks for the advice on setting up a US account with iTunes. I am in the USA for six weeks, have set up a VPN that allows me to watch BBCiPlayer, but couldn’t figure out why my iPad would not download the ABC Player app. Now I know. For the VPN I use IAPS-Alliance.
Thanks – got Pandora working on my computer and iPhone thanks to this!
Can you sign into your UK Apple ID after downloading the app?
Please reply.
Yes, you need to change accounts afterwards but it wont do any harm.
Can you transfer the US apps over too your UK account? So I could have pandora/abc and bbc Iplayer on the same iPad/iPhone? Because I’ve had my pad/phone for ages now and have lots of apps, documents, etc on it so wouldn’t really want to start a new account, but would love to have a few US apps on them?? Please reply..