iOS region won't allow activation

[jboosti]

I have hosted several Ukrainians and they like public mobile for the value and flexibility with activation (previously)

They need a Canadian phone number immediately in order to set up literally everything else in Canada. Unfortunately the new activation process points you to an app that requires iOS to be Canadian region to install. The problem with this is if you have an iOS app subscription in Ukraine or any other country it can take up to a month to end those subscriptions required to change region to Canada required to install Public app required to activate Public sim card. This can delay setting up all other support in Canada and having phone service to navigate a new country.

The entire process is already difficult as they need a phone to open a bank, and a bank to open a phone etc etc.

[dust2dust]

@John_G1- imessage might get confused with that. Is this your phone? Is your phone not in this region? The idea mentioned is that from a different phone that is capable to run the app, you can complete the sign up on it with the app. Then when complete you don't need the app anymore for that account. That account can still use the website.

[John_G1]

I finally persuaded the iPhone to accept my AppleID without making me the contact address for PM. then I was able to download the app and finish the log-in. Not easy - a couple of false starts and having to re-log-in to PM along the way. Fortunately it remembers where one was in the activation process.

Then I was able to choose a phone number in the range I wanted.

Then there was quite a problem getting a verification code as sent to the phone at its new number. An hour of Google later, reading Apple support etc, I found a video that went through steps that others had not and opened the door to the codes.

I still think it would be a LOT easier if PM did not insist on having its app to activate.

I guess I am the AppleID on that phone, but that's not doing any harm, so long as they don't start buying things! and they can get their own ID and change it in due course. Meanwhile they have a working phone.

[John_G1]

I am trying to help them using the iPhone that they will use as their phone here. I have not gone looking (yet) for alternative ways for them to pay for their Apple ID - I don't know the Apple system and its alternatives (and find using an iPhone a proper PITA, no doubt just because it's different). Thanks for the suggestions.

I had PM support on the line by chat for quite a while yesterday, but after a message saying 'let us get back to you on that' (after a string of questions) they disconnected.  It had taken so long to get through and so long to wade through questions (no, i was not trying to port another number, etc) that I gave up, discouraged - and then service was closed when I tried again. 

[softech]

@John_G1  I thought you are helping them on your iPhone

For our friend to get into Canada App store, can they use Visa gift card to register? or those Apple GC?

[John_G1]

can't install the PM  app in the first place because I need an AppleID to do that, and getting an AppleID requires a Canadian credit card in the name of the user of the PM account - but he is a recent immigrant and does not have one - it may be a couple of weeks before he can get one. I had been hoping to set him up with a working phone before then. ONLY the need to have the PM app blocks his setup of a PM account. I can use my credit card to pay PM for the first month or so, but I can't use my credit card on the Apple ID because I already have an Apple ID in my name and I can't have two.

[softech]

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@John_G1 wrote:

I am trying to be that friend but I can't on an iPhone. I could on an Android. 

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@John_G1 

What is the problem you are facing?

Because of app and browser caching issue, couple steps to do to "clean" logoff and login when you switch user

1. logoff from PM app and unsintall the PM app

2. Clear the browser cache for the default browser on your phone (could be Safari on iPhone unless you changed it)

3. reinstall the app

With these steps, it should work

[John_G1]

I am trying to be that friend but I can't on an iPhone. I could on an Android. It's about the need for a personal credit card for the subscriber, and it takes a while for a newcomer to get a credit card (you need a SIN, unless your name is completely unique in Canada) - meanwhile you are stuck for a phone.

[softech]

@John_G1 

I imagine PM would like to have one same experience for activation and people on eSIM do need app for that (the app will install eSIM in the process) .  And I guess from PM's point of view, you want phone service so you have a phone, you are in Canada, and you should be able to change the app store region to Canada and download the app

Again, those who don't have a smart phone, or who do not want to change app store region, they need a friend.  True , it is not convenient   😞

[John_G1]

It's all very well to say 'once you are activated, you don't need to use the App', but if you can't get activated without the app, and you can't download the app ... you don't get through the starting gate. Are other carriers as hard to get started with as P.M. is now becoming?

[John_G1]

This is a SERIOUS impediment to setting up a PublicMobile account - the d**med app. WHY?????????????? it has blocked my attempt to set up P.M. accounts for several recent immigrants - and as the O.P. says, without a phone you can't do much else in today's society.

[John_G1]

AND you need a working credit card to change your Apple ID to a new country. There is a fast(ish) way to change country on iPhone - https://support.apple.com/HT201389 - but at the end of it you still need a credit card or other acceptable payment mechanism (though they say that they won't charge it till you buy something.)

That site basically gives you the list that BKNS27 lists above ... except that he does not mention the need for a credit card at the end. He finishes with 'download the PM app' but you can't do that on an iPhone without an AppleID account - and you can't have an Apple ID account here without having a credit card attached to it.

(Given that P.M. already requires a card to set up an account, why outsource a parallel requirement to Apple or Google? For P.M. I can use my credit card to set up an account for someone else. For Apple, I can't.)

[softech · Accepted solution]

@jboosti 

PM support NO LONGER helping to activation manually. 

Yes, current activation requires the use of the app to complete the second half of the activation.  You might want to help your friends to complete that part of your phone.  If you are already a PM subscriber and using the app, it is best to clear cache and clear data (or uninstall and reinstall) so it won't confuse with your own login.  

But note the app is only a requirement for activation.  Once activated, your friends do not need the PM app on their phones, they can access My Account via web browser like before

[jboosti]

Yes I understand this. The problem is you can't change region instantly - for a Ukrainian I'm helping now the subscription was just paid so they are locked to Ukrainian iOS until the subscription expires. So it can take up to a month and Apple has not been able to help with that.
However Public mobile was able to activate the account manually. This was critical as in Canada you need a phone number. It is basically a major part of your ID for banking and literally everything in Canada. Waiting for weeks would slow everything down and defeat all the efficiencies of an "emergency visa"

[BKNS27]

@jboosti 

When they are in Canada, they can change the country on the App Store.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name, then tap Media & Purchases.
3. Tap View Account. ...
4. Tap Country/Region.
5. Tap Change Country or Region.
6. Tap your new country or region, then review the Terms & Conditions.
7. Tap Agree in the upper-right corner, then tap Agree again to confirm.
8. Download the PM app.

But they need to change the country back when they return to Ukraine.

[dust2dust]

Indeed, it's up the app developer to set up what regions their app can work or install from. Public should have opened the app to anybody (other than maybe unfriendly countries).

@J_PM