For a long time, I subscribed to ChatGPT Plus using a US-based Apple ID. Even in tax-free states, the cost was a flat $20 per month (approximately 145 CNY). In an effort to optimize my digital expenses, I switched to the Turkey region. The price there is currently 499 TRY (inclusive of tax), which works out to about 92 CNY per month—a significant saving.
1. Register a Turkish Apple ID
Visit the Apple ID creation page and follow these steps:
- Click “Create Your Apple ID”.
- Set the country/region to Turkey.
- You can use your existing mobile number (including +86 numbers) for verification; Apple generally allows one number to be linked to multiple IDs across different regions.
- For the required Turkish address, you can use a random address generator to fill in the placeholders.
2. Signing In
Sometimes, logging into a new regional ID directly on your device can trigger errors or verification loops. If this happens, try logging in through the web portal at account.apple.com using a reliable proxy set to a neutral location (like Japan or the US). Once the account is verified on the web, it usually works smoothly on your iPhone or Mac.
3. Funding Your Account
This is the most critical part, as standard international credit cards (like a Chinese Visa/Mastercard) cannot be linked directly to a Turkish Apple ID.
- No Digital Gift Cards: Apple does not sell official digital gift cards on its Turkish website.
- Third-Party Sellers: You will need to purchase Turkish Apple Gift Cards from marketplaces like Taobao, Xianyu, or SeaGM.
- Tip: Only buy from reputable sellers with high ratings to avoid “black cards” (purchased with stolen credit cards), which can lead to your Apple ID being banned.
- For reference, I recently purchased a 1,000 TRY gift card for approximately 182.5 CNY.
Once you redeem the code in the App Store, your balance will be updated, and you can complete the ChatGPT Plus subscription within the app.
What About the Nigeria Region?
You might have heard that Nigeria is even cheaper, with ChatGPT Plus costing around 9,900 NGN (~43 CNY/month). However, Nigeria is much harder to access:
- They do not support Apple Gift Cards.
- You need a local Nigerian bank card (like those from Chipper or Geegpay).
- Registration often requires a local phone number. Unless you enjoy extreme “digital nomad” challenges, I wouldn’t recommend it. Turkey offers the best balance of ease and savings.
Final Thoughts
- Once you’ve set up a Turkish Apple ID for ChatGPT, you can also use it to save on other services like YouTube Premium, iCloud storage, or Netflix.
- Compared to the standard US pricing, this method cuts your monthly cost by roughly 35%, adding up to significant savings over a year.
