Get Cheaper Subscriptions with a Turkish Apple ID

Many digital subscriptions cost significantly less in Turkey due to the weaker Turkish Lira and localized pricing. By creating a Turkish Apple ID and using Turkish App Store gift cards, users outside Turkey can subscribe to services on iOS at a fraction of their usual price. I've personally used this method to cut my subscription costs dramatically, and in this guide I'll explain the process step by step. I'll also list popular services with their Turkish pricing, and discuss the legal/ethical considerations of this money-saving trick.

Why Use a Turkish Apple ID for Subscriptions?

Regional Price Differences

Services often charge different prices in different countries' app stores. Turkey's prices are notably low compared to US or EU rates, thanks to currency exchange disparities. For example, as of mid-2025 Apple Music's individual plan is 59.99₺ (Turkish Lira) per month, which is only about €1.82 - in Germany the same plan costs €10.99/month. This huge gap exists for many services, making Turkey one of the cheapest regions for digital subscriptions.

Real Savings

By paying in Lira, you can access the exact same services for much less. In my experience, the savings are incredible. For instance, I've been getting Apple Music for the equivalent of around €6.90 per year, Disney+ for ~€20 per year, and Deezer music for about €1.20 per month using my Turkish Apple account. Even niche apps like fitness trackers can be far cheaper (MyFitnessPal Premium costs me only ~€4.50/year via Turkey!). These prices are only possible by leveraging Turkey's App Store rates.

No VPN or Turkish Credit Card Needed

Unlike some other region-hacks, this method does not require a VPN to pretend you're in Turkey, nor do you need a Turkish bank card. Apple allows you to create an account in any region, and you can fund it with Turkish gift cards. This makes the process simpler and more "official" - you're using Apple's own systems, just with a different country setting. In fact, Apple's billing system handles everything, so services like YouTube or Disney+ don't even directly know you subscribed via Turkey (they just see an in-app purchase). I'll share detailed steps below.

Services & Prices Available via Turkish Apple ID

What subscriptions can you get with this method? Any app that offers an in-app subscription through Apple's system, and is available in Turkey's App Store, is eligible. This includes many global streaming, music, and software services. Here are some of the most popular ones and their Turkish prices (as of 2025), along with comparisons to standard prices:

YouTube Premium

Ad-free YouTube + Music streaming. In Turkey, the individual plan costs ₺104.99/month and the family plan (up to 6 accounts) is ₺209.99/month. That's roughly $3.80 and $7.60 USD respectively per month - a huge savings given YouTube Premium is about $13.99 (individual) or ~$22 (family) in the US. (Note: Direct YouTube prices in Turkey are even lower, but YouTube charges a bit extra on iOS because Apple takes a cut. Even so, $4 for a family plan is an amazing deal!) I've gotten YouTube Premium this way and it works perfectly across all my devices - my Google account simply shows as Premium. No more ads for a fraction of the cost.

Read also: Step-by-Step Guide: YouTube Premium cheaper via Apple iTunes Turkey

Disney+ Premium

Streaming Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, etc. Turkey had an annual plan for ₺649.99/year (around €35 or $38) for Disney+ Premium. In Europe this plan is €119.90/year, so the savings were tremendous (about €2.97 per month equivalent). I subscribed to Disney+ through my Turkish Apple ID and paid roughly €20-36 for a year instead of €120. However, important update: As of mid-2025, new subscriptions via the Turkish App Store for Disney+ have reportedly stopped working - Disney might have removed the in-app purchase option for Turkey. (The method "no longer works" per recent user reports.) This could be a temporary issue or a permanent change. If you already have it, it should continue for now, but new users might not be able to use the iOS trick for Disney+. Always check current info - by the time you read this, the situation may evolve. (Disney+ is still super cheap in Turkey; if the App Store method is closed, people resort to other tricks like family account sharing services.)

Crunchyroll

The Mega Fan annual plan on iOS Turkey is about ₺699.90/year, which came to only €18.48 per year! That same plan normally costs ~€99.99/year in Germany. I managed to get Crunchyroll Premium for under €20/year - basically ~€1.50 a month - using the steps above. No VPN needed, and I can watch my anime on all devices. (Crunchyroll's website now blocks foreign cards for Turkey, so the Apple method is a reliable alternative.)

Apple Music

Apple's own music streaming is ₺59.99/month for an individual plan in Turkey (about $1.50 USD). Before a recent price hike it was even cheaper (39.99₺). The family plan is now ₺99.99/month (~$2.56) for up to 6 people. Compare this to $10.99 and $16.99 in the US - it's a steal. I've subscribed to Apple Music on my Turkish ID and it's by far the best deal: for the price of one month in my country, I get 6+ months in Turkey. Students get an extra discount (32.99₺, ~$0.85). Be aware Apple adjusted Turkish Music prices in 2025, reducing the gap to other regions slightly, but Turkey is still among the cheapest. Also, any songs/albums you buy with the Turkish ID are much cheaper (tracks for around 0.05 €!) and you keep them even if you switch back accounts.

Apple iCloud+ Storage

Need more iCloud storage? Turkey's rates are very low as well. 50 GB is ₺24.99/month (under $1), 200 GB for ₺79.99 (~$3), and 2 TB for ₺249.99 (~$9-10). These used to be about half those prices until an Aug 2024 adjustment, but are still slightly cheaper than US prices (which are $0.99, $2.99, $9.99 respectively). Some thrifty users even share an iCloud storage plan by using Family Sharing with a Turkish ID. Note: Apple One bundles (Music, TV+, Arcade, iCloud) are also far cheaper in Turkey, but Apple News+/Fitness+ aren't available there. For instance, Apple One Family (which includes Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, and 200 GB iCloud) was around ₺99-149 TRY/month (~$4-5) historically.

Discord Nitro

Chat app perks. Discord Nitro's price in Turkey saw a lot of changes, but it's still much lower than $10. In the past, one month of Nitro was ₺26.99 (~$1) via Apple. After some price updates (companies often react to too many foreign subscribers or inflation), Nitro is currently around ₺105 per month for the full Nitro plan (roughly $3.50) according to recent reports. Even after that increase, paying ~$3.50 instead of $9.99 is a nice deal. The method to get it is the same - log into a Turkish Apple ID on an iPhone, redeem gift card, subscribe in the Discord app. (Be aware Discord drastically raised Turkey prices from 27₺ to 105₺ within a year, and could adjust again.) Nitro Basic (if available via iOS) would be even cheaper. Many users online have successfully used this trick for Nitro - I followed a guide and got Nitro for about $1 when it was still 27₺, and even after the price hike I'm saving a lot monthly.

Other Streaming Services

Apart from YouTube and Disney+, other video platforms may have in-app subscriptions:

• Netflix: Not possible via Apple. Netflix no longer allows new subscriptions through iTunes/App Store. They removed that option in 2018 and in fact discontinued billing through Apple for all users by 2025. So, you can't use this Apple ID method for Netflix. (Netflix Turkey is cheap via other means - e.g. VPN + Turkish Netflix gift card - but that's outside this iOS-focused guide.)
• Amazon Prime Video: Amazon doesn't use Apple in-app billing for Prime, so this trick doesn't apply to Prime subscriptions.
• HBO Max / Max: Not available in Turkey currently. No go.
  
• Others: Some regional or smaller services might allow Apple billing; if so and they're on the Turkish store, you could use them. Always check if the app lets you subscribe via Apple ID. If it redirects you to a website (like many do to avoid Apple's cut), then the gift card method won't work for that service.

Music/Audio Streaming:

• Spotify - Unfortunately Spotify also removed the option to subscribe via in-app purchase on iOS. They require you to subscribe directly on their website (likely with a region-locked payment). So you can't use Apple ID credit for Spotify Premium. (Spotify Turkey is very cheap, but you'd need a Turkey-based payment method or family plan workaround - again, outside our scope) . Also check out: How to Get Spotify Premium Cheaper with VPN.
• Deezer - Unlike Spotify, Deezer still allows in-app subscriptions on iOS. Turkey's price for Deezer Family, for example, was reported as just a couple of Lira per month in the past. One user noted paying only ~€1.20 per month for Deezer via a Turkish Apple ID - an insanely low price for a music service. If you prefer Deezer, it's a great candidate for this trick.
• YouTube Music - This is included in YouTube Premium, which we covered. Essentially you get YouTube Music Premium as part of it, so it's covered by that ₺104.99 you pay for YouTube Premium.

Other Apps and Services

Virtually any app with a subscription — productivity tools, dating apps, cloud storage, etc. — if they allow Apple in-app subscriptions, you can get the Turkish price:

• Dating Apps: Many dating apps have local pricing. For example, Tinder Plus/Gold in Turkey can be far cheaper than in the US. By using a Turkish Apple ID, you could subscribe to Tinder's premium features in-app and pay maybe a few dollars instead of ~$30. (Tinder does use Apple billing for those who sign up through the app.) Always check the price shown - you might be pleasantly surprised. The same goes for other apps like Bumble Premium, etc., provided they haven't disabled iOS purchases.
• Productivity and Utility Subscriptions: Whether it's a note-taking app subscription, a premium scanner app, or a language learning tool like Duolingo Plus - many have localized prices. Switching your App Store region to Turkey will usually show you those prices. For example, I saw a pro writing app's subscription drop from $40/year to the equivalent of $5/year by doing this. Each app is different, but it's worth checking your most-used paid apps to see if they offer cheaper rates in Turkey.
• Gaming subscriptions/In-app purchases: Game apps that let you buy subscriptions (like certain mobile game VIP passes) or credits through Apple will also charge you in Lira at Turkish rates. Some people use this trick for cheaper in-app currency purchases in games, though be cautious as some games ban regional purchase discrepancies. Pure subscription services (non-competitive) are generally safe.

In short, many services are "on sale" in Turkey. New opportunities pop up as well - I always keep an eye on tech forums for which subscriptions can be had cheaply via Turkey. As of 2025, the ones above are the all-stars of savings.

Step-by-Step Guide: Subscribing via a Turkish Apple ID

Follow these steps on an iPhone or iPad to set up a Turkish Apple ID, add Turkish credit, and subscribe to your desired services at Turkish prices. (If you already have a Turkish Apple ID with balance, you can skip some steps.)

1. Create a Turkish Apple ID

You'll need a separate Apple ID set to Turkey. This will be used temporarily for the App Store to make purchases in Lira.

• Go to Apple's site for creating IDs: Visit Apple's account creation page - appleid.apple.com - and start a new Apple ID registration. Select "Turkey" as the country/region during signup. (On mobile, you may need to click the menu and find "Create Your Apple ID".) No VPN is required - you can do this from your normal internet connection.
  
  
• Use a new email and your real phone number: Provide an email that isn't already tied to any Apple ID, since each Apple ID needs a unique email. You will also have to enter a phone number for verification. You can use your regular phone number from your country (e.g. your German or US mobile number); it does not have to be a Turkish number. Apple just uses it for verification codes. (It's okay even if that number is used on your main Apple ID - Apple allows the same phone on multiple IDs.)
• Set a password and security info: Fill in the rest of the form (name, password, etc.) normally.
• Address and payment not needed upfront: When creating the Apple ID on the website, you typically won't be forced to input an address or payment method yet - you can choose "None" for payment if asked. Later, during your first purchase in the App Store, you'll be prompted to enter a Turkish address, but we'll handle that when we get there.
• Troubleshooting account creation errors: If you see an error like "Apple ID cannot be created at this time", don't worry - this is a common glitch. There are known workarounds: for example, try creating the ID via the iCloud website or the Apple TV app instead. On iCloud.com, click "Create Apple ID" after clicking Sign In; in the Apple TV app (downloadable from your App Store), you can likewise create a new Apple ID and select Turkey. These methods often bypass the error. If all else fails, wait a short while and try again, or use a different email. (Apple may limit how many new IDs you can create on one device too, so you could try using a different device if possible.)

Once the account is created and verified (you'll confirm via the email and maybe an SMS code), you have a fresh Turkish Apple ID ready to use.

2. Log In to the App Store with the Turkish ID

Now that you have a Turkish Apple ID, you'll temporarily log your device's App Store into that account to make the discounted purchase.

• Sign out of your current App Store account: On your iPhone/iPad, go to the App Store app. Tap your profile avatar in the top-right, scroll down and tap "Sign Out" (Abmelden). This only signs out the App Store/Media & Purchases - it does not sign you out of iCloud entirely. Your device can actually use a different Apple ID for iCloud vs. iTunes/App Store, so you're just switching the store account here.
  
  
• Sign in with the new Turkish Apple ID: After signing out, the App Store will show a sign-in prompt. Sign in with your new Turkish Apple ID (the one you just created). You might get a pop-up saying "This Apple ID has not been used in the iTunes Store yet" - which is normal for a brand new account. It will then ask you to review the account details.
• Choose Turkey as region and add a Turkish address: During this first sign-in on your device, Apple will ask to complete your account setup. Ensure the region is Turkey (should already be, since you chose Turkey when creating the ID). For billing address, you must input a Turkish address and postal code. You can use any valid-looking Turkish address, as Apple does not verify it against ID or anything. For example, you might enter a random Istanbul address (e.g. a hotel or use a random address generator) - e.g. "Yavuz Sultan Selim Caddesi No: 126, 34000 Istanbul, Turkey". Also provide a Turkish phone number format if required (you can change your own number's country code to Turkey +90 and add random digits, or use a fake number; it won't actually be contacted). When asked for payment method, select "None" - we will be paying with gift card credit, so no credit card is needed.
• Turkish App Store is now active: Once you finish that setup, your device will switch over to the Turkish App Store. You can tell by looking at prices in the App Store - they should now be listed in TRY ₺. At this point, you're effectively "in Turkey" as far as app purchases are concerned.

Don't worry about your apps and data: Signing into another Apple ID for the App Store does not erase or affect any apps or content you already have. Apple explicitly allows this kind of switch. All your previously purchased apps (from your original account) remain installed and usable, and your iCloud data (photos, contacts, etc.) stays on your main iCloud account which you did not sign out of. I regularly switch between my normal account and Turkish account just to grab subscriptions or apps, and everything on my phone remains as it was. When you switch back to your main Apple ID later, it will be as if nothing changed. (The only minor inconvenience is you might need to log into the Turkish account again for future renewals or new purchases.)

3. Buy a Turkish App Store Gift Card

Your new account needs Turkish credit to pay for subscriptions. Unless you have a Turkish credit card (which most people don't), the solution is to use App Store gift cards (aka iTunes gift cards) denominated in Lira.

• Why gift cards? Apple restricts adding foreign payment methods for a different country's store. For example, your non-Turkish Visa or PayPal likely won't be accepted on a Turkish Apple ID. Gift cards let you top-up your Apple ID balance, which will be used for purchases. Turkish Apple Gift Cards (codes) are sold online and work globally on Turkish accounts.
• Where to buy Turkish gift card codes: Several reputable online retailers sell Turkish iTunes gift card codes with email delivery. Popular choices include G2A, Kinguin, MTCGame, Turgame, Eneba, SEAGM, etc. You can search these sites for "Turkey iTunes" cards. Make sure the code is for Turkey (TRY), not another country. Prices are usually a bit above face value due to reseller markup, but still very worth it. For example, as of mid-2025 a 1000 TRY gift card costs around €24-27 on resale sites. That 1000₺ added to your account can pay for well over a year of certain subscriptions (e.g. ~16 months of Apple Music Individual). Larger denominations often have better exchange rates (lower € per Lira), so if you plan to use this long-term, consider buying a bigger gift code (e.g. 1500₺).
• Buying process: Purchase the code from your chosen retailer. They may ask for some verification (since it's a digital code). Once done, you'll receive a 16-digit redemption code (usually via email or on the order page). Copy that code down exactly.

Tip: Stick to well-known gift card marketplaces to avoid invalid codes. Check recent reviews for the seller if possible. While rare, if a code is ever "used" or invalid, contact the seller support for a replacement or refund. In my personal experience, buying Turkish gift codes has been smooth - just pay attention to the denomination and region before confirming the purchase.

4. Redeem the Gift Card on Your Turkish Account

Now add the Lira balance to your account:

• Open App Store account settings: Still on the Turkish Apple ID (App Store), tap your profile icon in the App Store and choose "Redeem Gift Card or Code".
• Enter the code: Manually input the 16-digit code you received. (Alternatively, you can tap "Use camera" to try scanning a code QR, but typically you'll just type the code from the email.)
  
  
• Confirm redemption: Tap Done or Redeem to confirm. After a moment, your account credit will update. You should see your Apple ID balance now shows the TRY amount you redeemed (e.g. ₺1000.00). This balance will be used to pay for subscriptions and any app purchases while you're using the Turkish account.
• Ensure sufficient balance: Check the price of the subscription you want (see next section for prices). It's wise to load a bit more than needed for at least a few months or a year of the service, to avoid your sub lapsing. For annual subscriptions (like Disney+ annual plan), you need the full annual amount available upfront. For monthly subs, having a few months' worth loaded means you won't need to top-up for a while. (If your balance is too low when a renewal is due, the subscription will simply fail to renew, but you can always add more credit later to resubscribe.)

5. Subscribe to Your Desired Service at Turkish Prices

With your Turkish ID logged in and Lira credit ready, you can now subscribe to services through their iOS apps. Here's how:

• Install the app if not already: Download the app for the service you want (YouTube, Disney+, Crunchyroll, etc.) on your device. You can do this while still logged into the Turkish App Store - all apps available in your home country are generally available in Turkey's store too. (If an app isn't available in Turkey for some reason, you might need to skip it, but most major ones are available. For example, as of writing Disney+ and YouTube apps are available in Turkey's store.)
• Initiate the subscription in-app: Open the app and navigate to its subscription or premium purchase section. For example, in YouTube app go to Settings > Purchases and Memberships and select YouTube Premium; in Disney+ go to upgrade to Premium plan; in Crunchyroll app go to Premium and choose a plan. The app will show you the pricing in TRY ₺, confirming you're seeing Turkish prices. (It might offer monthly or yearly options depending on the service.)
• Purchase via iTunes: Proceed to subscribe, and the payment will be handled through Apple's in-app purchase. You'll see a standard Apple confirmation prompt with the price in Lira and a "Subscribe" or "Buy" button. Approve it (using Touch ID/Face ID or password). Apple will deduct the amount from your Turkish Apple ID balance. Congrats - you've now unlocked the subscription at the Turkish rate!
• Provide any remaining account info if prompted: In some cases, if you hadn't fully entered an address during account setup, Apple might ask for a Turkish billing address confirmation at this point (especially for the first purchase on the account). Just fill in the same fake Turkish address and phone number you used before. This data isn't verified against credit cards or anything, so any valid format will do. After entering the address one time, you shouldn't be asked again for future purchases on that Apple ID.
• Enjoy your subscription: The subscription is now active on your service account. For services like YouTube, Disney+, Crunchyroll, etc., you'll log into your usual user account in those apps (your Google/YouTube account, your Disney+ account, etc.) and you'll have Premium status. The beauty is that your login and content library stay in your home region - you're not actually switching to Turkish content libraries or anything. For example, I used my same YouTube account and just changed the billing; all my saved videos, region settings, etc. remained as before, I simply stopped seeing ads and gained downloads thanks to Premium. Similarly, Disney+ or Crunchyroll will show you content available in your region (based on your login or IP) even if you paid via Turkey - there's no content difference at all. Essentially, only the payment route is Turkish, not your usage of the service.
• Log out (optional): After completing the purchase, you can go back to the App Store settings and sign out of the Turkish Apple ID, then sign back in with your main Apple ID (the same way as in Step 2). This lets you continue using your device normally for other app updates and purchases on your main account, while your new subscription keeps running. You do not need to stay logged into the Turkish account to enjoy the subscription. Apple's system will simply deduct from the Turkish balance whenever the renewal comes due. (Do remember that if your balance runs out, you'll need to sign in again to top-up using another gift card.)

That's it - you're now subscribed at the budget-friendly Turkish price! The whole process usually takes about 10-15 minutes. I've done it multiple times and it works like a charm for many services.

Managing or Canceling Subscriptions: If you ever want to check the status of the subscription or cancel it, you'll have to be logged into the Apple ID that bought it. For example, to cancel, sign in to the Turkish Apple ID on your device, open the App Store > your profile > Subscriptions, find the service and choose Cancel Subscription. (After canceling, it will remain active until the end of the period you paid for.) You can then switch back to your normal Apple ID. It's a good idea to set a reminder for when annual renewals are due in case you want to cancel before it renews.

My Experience and Tips for Smooth Sailing

I've been using this Turkey method for over a year now across multiple subscriptions. Here are a few of my personal tips and observations:

• Switching accounts frequently: It's a bit clunky to sign in/out each time you want to redeem a gift card or subscribe to something new. What I do is keep the Turkish Apple ID on an old iPad dedicated to these purchases. But even on my iPhone, it's not too bad - just remember your Turkish ID password. Nothing gets deleted when switching Apple IDs for the App Store, so you can do it anytime. If you have a family member with an iPhone, you could also use theirs to set up the sub (since once active, it works on your account regardless of device).
• Keep your Turkish ID balance topped up: If you're on a monthly plan, ensure you have enough Lira balance for the next renewal. I tend to buy a large gift card once a year (e.g. 1000₺) and that covers multiple services for many months. Apple will deduct renewals from the balance until it's exhausted. If a renewal fails due to low balance, you usually get a grace period or warning, during which you can add another gift card and resume the sub. To be safe, load more than you need. As a bonus, higher-value gift cards usually cost less per Lira (you pay less markup).
• Gift cards availability and cost: Over the past year, I've noticed Turkish gift cards sometimes sell out or their prices fluctuate. When the Turkish Lira sharply drops in value, demand for these gift cards surges (since deals get even better). Sellers then often raise their prices or run low on stock. For example, earlier I could get 1000₺ for €20, but later it was €25+. It's still worth it, but just an observation: if you find a good price, it might be smart to buy a bit extra credit in advance. The gift card codes themselves don't expire.
• Apple ID security: Treat your Turkish Apple ID securely like your main account. It will have a balance, so use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication if possible. Do not share this account with others (except maybe family members you trust if you're pooling subscriptions). Also, don't use this ID for anything shady - keep it just for purchases. Apple has never flagged mine, but I also don't use it on multiple people's devices simultaneously or anything that might look like fraud. I simply log in when I need to buy, then log out.
• Content and region locking: A question I often get is: "Will I see Turkish content or lose access to my region's content?" The answer is generally no impact. For example, my Disney+ is Turkish-billed but I still watch the German content library when I log in from Germany. My YouTube Premium is paid in Lira but I still see all content as normal (and region-restricted videos are based on your IP or account settings, not billing country). One exception can be Apple's own services: Apple Music and App Store media might show prices or content for Turkey while you are logged in with that ID. For instance, Apple Music Turkey might have some songs not licensed in other countries and vice versa. However, once you switch back to your home Apple ID for Apple Music, your library and recommendations restore. If you buy songs or movies on the Turkish ID, they remain in that ID's purchase history - you'd need to stay on that account to access those specific purchases. I mostly use it for subscriptions, so this isn't an issue for me.
• Family Sharing (advanced): Some advanced users create a Family Sharing group where the Turkish Apple ID is the "family organizer" with an iCloud storage plan or Apple Music, then invite their main account to share those benefits. This way, your main Apple ID can enjoy the subscription (like Apple Music or iCloud storage) without constantly switching accounts. This can be a bit complex to set up, but it's an interesting approach if you want to integrate the services into your main ID. Do note that Family Sharing doesn't help with third-party apps like YouTube - it only shares Apple subscriptions.

Now that we've covered the how-to and the amazing deals, let's discuss the important question: is this all legal and ethical?

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Before you dive in, it's wise to understand the rules and the moral aspects of using a foreign App Store for cheaper prices.

Apple's Terms of Service

When you create an Apple ID, you are supposed to provide accurate information. Using an address in Turkey when you don't actually live there could be seen as a violation of Apple's terms or the App Store rules. So, technically, this method lives in a gray area of the rules. In theory, Apple could terminate an account if they realized it provided false info or was being used to circumvent pricing policies. In practice, however, Apple seems to tolerate it or at least doesn't enforce region locks strictly. This trick has been used for over a decade by many users for various apps, and there have been no known cases of Apple banning accounts for this. I even came across someone who wrote to Apple Support to ask if developers can see which country a purchase comes from; Apple replied that developers only see anonymous sales stats, not personal details like your name or location. That gave me some peace of mind. Additionally, creating a second Apple ID for a different country is not illegal in any way - at most it might breach terms of service, but it's not a criminal issue. In fact, deal sites and forums openly discuss this method weekly, and Apple hasn't taken action.

Safety of your main account: One relief is that you're doing all this on a separate Apple ID. So your primary Apple ID (with all your iCloud data, purchases, etc.) isn't directly risking anything. Worst case, if Apple did crack down, the Turkish Apple ID might get closed. You would lose any remaining gift card balance on it and any active subs on it. But your main account would remain untouched. Again, this hasn't happened to anyone I know, but it's a hypothetical risk. In my opinion, Apple profits from selling gift cards and getting their 30% cut on these in-app purchases, so they aren't highly motivated to stop this loophole. Apple is actually earning money from me that they wouldn't have gotten otherwise (since I wouldn't subscribe at full price). So it's a "no harm, no foul" situation from Apple's perspective so far.

Service Providers' Stance

Services like YouTube, Disney+, etc. set regional prices for a reason - usually to reflect local incomes. They generally frown upon users from high-income countries exploiting lower-income country prices. It arguably violates their terms of service if they catch you falsifying location or payment info. Using the Apple method, however, you aren't using a VPN or a fake GPS, so you aren't explicitly lying to YouTube about your location - you're simply paying through Apple. Google/YouTube's terms do say you shouldn't circumvent geographic-based pricing, so there is a slim risk they could try to cancel your sub if they detect it. But according to Apple, developers don't get personally identifying info for App Store purchases. In my case, I've never been contacted or penalized by any service for doing this. They often can't tell - my YouTube account still lists my home country and I just appear as a Premium member. That said, it's wise not to brag to the service's support team that you're doing this.

Ethical Concerns

• Adjustments and losing the advantage: One ethical concern is that if too many people abuse a region's pricing, the provider might raise prices in that region, defeating the purpose and hurting local users. We've arguably seen this happen: YouTube Premium via Apple was 149.99₺ for family and then jumped to 209.99₺ - possibly because so many abroad started using Turkey. Discord Nitro quadrupled its price from 27₺ to 105₺ in a short time, shocking Turkish users. Companies are not naïve; if their revenue in Turkey surges with mostly foreign IP addresses using the service, they may react by hiking prices or closing loopholes. Netflix, for example, stopped selling gift cards in Turkey in 2023 and forced Turkish-billed accounts to verify local phone numbers - measures aimed at foreign deal-seekers. Disney+ apparently disabled in-app purchases in Turkey (as noted earlier). So, ethically, one could argue that we "deal hunters" contribute to price increases that hurt actual Turkish residents who can least afford it. It's something to be mindful of. Of course, global companies are adjusting for rampant inflation in Turkey too, so it's not all because of foreigners, but it can be a factor.
• Account sharing and reselling: One thing I do not recommend is turning this into a commercial "reselling" or massive sharing scheme. There are services (and shady sellers) who use methods like this to create cheap accounts and then sell access to others. That likely does violate terms in a more serious way and could get those accounts banned. My guide is intended for personal use - you subscribe for yourself or your family. That is relatively low-risk. If you start selling $2/month YouTube Premium family slots to 50 strangers, you're entering a sketchy territory. Not only is it against terms, but you could lose the account and money. Stick to saving money for your own use in a reasonable manner.
• "At your own risk" disclaimer: To be transparent, this method, while currently working beautifully, is not guaranteed to work forever. There is always a small risk involved. Use this method at your own discretion. From a legal standpoint, you're not committing a crime; at worst you might breach some user agreement. From a practical standpoint, thousands of people (including myself) have done this for years with no problems. Deal sites even label it as safe and commonly done. Just know that if one day Apple or a service changes policy, you might have to revert to your local subscriptions or find another workaround. Personally, I feel the savings are worth the extremely low risk - I've saved hundreds of dollars on subscriptions in a year, which far outweighs the cost of a lost Turkish gift card or two if it ever came to that.
• Is it fair? This enters the ethical grey zone. You are taking advantage of a system meant to make services affordable in a lower-income market. Some might call it unfair or even exploitative. Others argue that digital goods have no real "cost" per extra user, and if one wouldn't subscribe at full price anyway, the company isn't really losing revenue - they're gaining a subscriber who pays something rather than nothing. As a consumer, I see it as making an informed choice to purchase from a different market. It's similar to traveling to another country to buy cheaper products (which people physically do as well). Ethically, it's a personal judgment. If it makes you uncomfortable, you can always stick to paying the standard prices. If you do go ahead, just remember that overuse might force companies to respond, and be respectful - e.g., I wouldn't publicly post on official forums about how to get their service cheap in Turkey; that's just poking the bear. In the Reddit community, some locals have expressed frustration that outsiders might be contributing to their prices going up. It's worth considering that impact.

In summary, using a Turkish Apple ID to score cheap subscriptions is a clever workaround that is broadly legal (no laws broken), against strict interpretation of terms (so use quietly), and carries minimal risk if done for personal use. Millions of users take advantage of regional pricing differences with VPNs or foreign payments - this method is arguably more above-board since you're actually paying through Apple in that region. I treat it as a savvy life hack, but with eyes open to the potential downsides.

I hope this detailed guide helps you save big on your subscriptions! With the step-by-step instructions above, you should be able to set everything up confidently. As someone who has done it, I can attest that it's not too difficult - and seeing prices like "₺75,99" for a service that used to cost me €11 per month feels like winning a jackpot. The key points are: use a new Turkish Apple ID, fund it with gift cards, and subscribe via the iOS apps. Enjoy your favorite apps and media at a budget price, and treat yourself with the money saved! Just keep an eye on the news for any policy changes. Happy savings, and thanks to the power of the Turkish Lira for these great deals!

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