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How to Register a US Apple ID for iPhone? Do I Need a US Phone Number?

Registering a US Apple ID does not require a US phone number—a mainland China +86 number can receive Apple's verification SMS just fine. Key preparations: a brand new email address that has never registered an Apple ID (most important) + a phone number that can receive SMS + a US address (generated using a US random address generator). The whole process takes 3-5 minutes. After installing Binance, register an account starting from the Binance Official Site, get the APP direct link at Binance Official App, and see detailed steps in the Download Center. This article breaks down the steps.

Preparation Before Registration

Item Requirement Note
Email Never registered an Apple ID before Crucial, do not use your daily email
Phone Number Can receive SMS +86 mainland China number is fine
US Address A real US address Use an address generator
Date of Birth Over 18 years old Mandatory, otherwise features are limited
Device Any device with a browser Computer or phone works

Choosing an Email

The most critical part is that the email must be brand new. Apple's system checks if the email has been registered for an Apple ID; if it has, it cannot be reused.

Recommendations:

  • Create a new Outlook account (free, easy to register)
  • Create a new ProtonMail account (privacy-focused)
  • Use an existing Gmail alias ([email protected] is equivalent to [email protected], but Apple's system may recognize it as a different email)

⚠️ Do not use your daily email to register a US Apple ID—you might want to use the same email to register Apple IDs in other regions later, and if it's taken, it will be a hassle.

Getting a US Address

Open any "US random address generator" website (search "US random address generator"):

  • Fake Address Generator
  • Real Address Generator
  • Random Address

It will generate a complete:

  • Street Address
  • City
  • State
  • ZIP Code

Write down this address; you will need to keep it consistent during registration and later during the App Store review.

Registration Steps

1. Open the Apple ID Registration Page

Visit appleid.apple.com/account in your browser, and click "Create Your Apple ID".

2. Fill in Basic Information

Field How to Fill
First name Any English name (e.g., John)
Last name Any English surname (e.g., Smith)
Country/Region United States (Most crucial!)
Birthday Choose a date making you over 18
Email Your brand new email
Password 8+ characters, including upper/lowercase letters + numbers
Confirm Password Repeat it

3. Set Up Security Questions

Choose 3 security questions and their answers:

  • First question: Avoid easily guessed ones like "birth city"
  • Use English for the answers (to avoid Chinese input method issues)
  • Be sure to write down the 3 answers (in a password manager or on paper)

You will need these questions later to recover your password or unlock your account.

4. Country Code + Phone Number

  • Country Code: You can choose +1 (US) or +86 (China)
  • Phone Number: Enter a real number that can receive SMS

A +86 mainland China number works perfectly—it is personally verified that it can receive Apple's verification SMS. You don't have to have a US number.

5. Receive Verification Codes

After filling everything out and submitting:

  • Your email will receive a 6-digit verification code (within 5-10 minutes)
  • Your phone will receive an Apple verification SMS
  • Enter the two verification codes to complete creation

First Login to App Store

After registering, go to your iPhone's App Store to switch accounts:

  1. App Store → Profile picture in the top right → Scroll to the bottom and "Sign Out" (only signs out of Media & Purchases, not iCloud)
  2. Reopen the App Store and log in with the newly registered US Apple ID
  3. The system prompts "This Apple ID has not yet been used in the iTunes Store" → Agree to terms
  4. For Payment Method, select None
  5. Billing Address: Fill in the US address used during registration (must match)
  6. Phone Number: Fill in the phone number attached to the US address or your Chinese number
  7. Submit to complete the review

If the "None" option is missing for the payment method, it means the account's registered country is not the United States, and you need to double-check.

Common Errors

"This email is already in use"

The email has already been registered for an Apple ID (even if it's for another region). You must use a brand new email.

"Cannot create an account in this region at this time"

Usually an IP address detection anomaly. Fixes:

  • Switch networks (Wi-Fi → 4G)
  • Use a US IP (try with or without a VPN)
  • Restart your browser and clear cookies

"Security question answers are not secure"

Do not use a similar answer for the second security question as the first one. Change it to a completely different answer.

"Incorrect Verification Code"

  • Check if the email went to spam
  • Verification codes are valid for 10 minutes, resend if expired
  • Make sure there are no spaces when copying and pasting

"Account Locked"

If you enter the wrong password or verification code more than 5 times consecutively, it will be locked. Wait 24 hours for it to auto-unlock, or verify your identity through security questions to unlock it.

Uses of a US Apple ID

Registering a US account is not just for installing Binance; you can also use it for:

  • ChatGPT mobile app (initially not in the local store)
  • Telegram (removed from some local stores)
  • US financial apps like Robinhood and Coinbase
  • US streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max (requires US IP to use)
  • US versions of games (some games cannot be found in local stores)

Registering a US Apple ID acts as a "universal key" for many overseas apps.

Differences from a HK Apple ID

A HK Apple ID can also install Binance, but there are differences:

  • The HK region has fewer apps listed than the US region
  • Some apps in the HK region show prices in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
  • HK region registration requirements are similar to the US, but use a HK address

For mainland Chinese users, both work, but the US region has the most complete app ecosystem and is recommended first.

Security Precautions

  • Do not use the same password for your US Apple ID as your local Apple ID
  • Log in periodically to ensure the account has not been compromised
  • Do not log into your US account on untrusted devices
  • Enable two-factor authentication for important actions (like changing passwords or changing Apple ID regions)
  • Never tell anyone your password, including "Apple Support"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does registration cost money? A: Completely free. Select None for the payment method, there are no charges.

Q: Can +86 really receive verification codes? A: Yes. Apple's global verification code service supports mainland China numbers, verified to work.

Q: What happens if I fake my birth date? A: It just needs to be over 18 years old. The exact year doesn't matter, but under 18 triggers parental controls.

Q: Can I change countries after successful registration? A: You can change, but with many conditions (wallet balance must be zero, all subscriptions canceled, etc.). It's best to choose correctly during registration to avoid having to change later.

Q: How many Apple IDs can one phone number register? A: One number can receive verification codes for multiple Apple IDs, but binding multiple at the same time triggers Apple's anti-cheat limits. It is recommended to bind one phone number to one Apple ID.

Q: Does it matter if I pick California or Texas during registration? A: It doesn't matter. Any US state is fine; a random generation from an address generator works.

Summary

Three key preparations to register a US Apple ID: a brand new email (most important) + US address generator + +86 phone number that can receive SMS. The registration process takes 3-5 minutes, select None for payment to avoid fees. Once registered, go to your iPhone's App Store, sign out of your original account, sign into the US account, and complete the review (address must match registration), then you can search for and download Binance. Switching back to your original account after installing the Binance APP does not affect its normal use.