My previous shared YouTube family plan was canceled, likely due to Google’s stricter enforcement of regional IP consistency within families. To ensure stability, I decided to manage my own subscription. Since direct card payments in the Turkey region usually require a locally issued bank card, I opted for the Apple App Store subscription method instead. Here’s how I did it.
Prerequisites
- Turkish Apple ID: You can easily create a new one or switch an existing account to the Turkey region. I already had one on hand, so I used that.
- Google Account: Ensure the account you want to use is not currently part of any active subscription or family plan.
Funding Your Turkish Apple ID
I purchased a 500 TRY (Turkish Lira) Apple Gift Card from a third-party marketplace (like Xianyu or SeaGM). The cost was approximately 88 CNY. Once you receive the code, redeem it directly on your Turkish Apple ID.
The Subscription Process
- Set your proxy/VPN: Set your global proxy to a neutral region (or Turkey if possible).
- Log in to YouTube: Open the YouTube app on your iPhone using the Google account you intend to upgrade.
- Check Pricing: Navigate to Account > Get YouTube Premium. Because you are logged into a Turkish Apple ID, YouTube should display the price in Lira (currently 104.99 TRY/month).
- Subscribe: Confirm the subscription. Since your Apple ID already has a balance from the gift card, it will use that for payment—no need for a Turkish credit card or PayPal.
- Confirmation: You’ll receive a notification once the subscription is active.
Since I used a fresh account, I received the first month for free, with billing starting in the second month.
Annual Cost Breakdown
For those who want a quick estimate:
- Monthly Cost: 104.99 TRY
- Annual Cost: 104.99 * 12 = 1,259.88 TRY
- CNY Equivalent: At a gift card rate of 88 CNY per 500 TRY, the total annual cost is roughly 221.34 CNY.
(Note: Prices may fluctuate slightly due to exchange rate changes and gift card pricing.)
Important Tips
- Avoid frequent IP switching: I generally use a consistent proxy region (like Japan) for daily viewing to avoid triggering security flags.
- Auto-renewal: Ensure you keep enough balance in your Apple ID to cover the monthly renewal.
Final Thoughts
- For me, YouTube Premium is a must-have—the ads have become unbearable. If you’re looking for a cheaper way to subscribe, the Turkey region via Apple ID is a solid, relatively low-maintenance option.
- Enjoy it while it lasts! These “regional loopholes” are often patched by Google eventually, so cherish the savings while you can.
