Why Binance Isn't in the China App Store
If you search for "Binance" in the China region App Store, you'll find it doesn't appear at all. This is because the Binance app has been removed from the China App Store.
App Store content is divided by region, and each country or region's App Store may offer different apps. Developers can choose which regions to publish their apps in, and apps may also be removed from specific regions due to local regulatory requirements. Binance is not available for download in the China App Store due to policy reasons.
So to answer the title's question: yes, to download the Binance app on an iPhone, you must use an Apple ID from a region outside mainland China.
Complete Steps for Creating a Foreign Apple ID
Registering a foreign Apple ID is actually quite simple and completely free. A US Apple ID is recommended because the US App Store has the most comprehensive app selection.
Step one: Prepare a new email address.
You need an email address that hasn't been used to register an Apple ID before. You can use QQ Mail, 163 Mail, Gmail, or Outlook. If you don't have a spare email, you can quickly register one.
Step two: Go to the Apple ID registration page.
In a browser on your phone or computer, visit appleid.apple.com and click the "Create Your Apple ID" link on the page.
Step three: Fill in your registration information.
- Name: You can use pinyin or an English name
- Country/Region: Select "United States"
- Date of Birth: Enter a date that makes you at least 18 years old
- Email: Enter the new email address you prepared
- Password: Set a password that meets the requirements (at least 8 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers)
- Phone Number: You can enter your +86 Chinese phone number to receive verification codes
Step four: Complete verification.
The system will first send a verification code to your email, then send one to your phone number. Enter both codes, and your Apple ID registration is complete.
Step five: First-time App Store login setup.
On your iPhone, open the App Store, sign out of your current China-region Apple ID, and log in with your newly registered US Apple ID. On first login, the system will prompt you to "Complete Account Information." You'll need to:
- Agree to the Terms of Service
- Select "None" for payment method — this step is crucial; choosing "None" means you don't need to link any payment method
- Enter a billing address: You'll need a US address. You can search online for an address in a US sales-tax-free state (such as Oregon, Montana, or Delaware), making sure the ZIP code and state match
After completing these steps, your US Apple ID is ready to use.
Downloading the Binance App with Your Foreign ID
Once the Apple ID is set up, downloading Binance is straightforward:
- Make sure your App Store is logged in with your foreign Apple ID
- Search for "Binance" in the search bar
- Find the official Binance app (the developer name should be "Binance Inc.")
- Tap "Get" to start downloading
- Wait for the download and installation to complete
After installation, you can sign out of the foreign Apple ID and sign back in with your China-region Apple ID. The already-downloaded Binance app won't disappear when you switch Apple IDs — it works normally.
However, note one issue: if the Binance app needs updating in the future, you must switch back to the foreign Apple ID in the App Store to update. If switching is too inconvenient, you can disable Binance's automatic update prompts and batch update after several versions accumulate.
Switching Apple ID Region vs. Creating a New ID: Which to Choose
Besides registering a new foreign Apple ID, you can also temporarily switch your existing China Apple ID to another region. Each approach has pros and cons:
Registering a new foreign ID:
Pros:
- Your original China ID is completely unaffected
- You can switch at any time, very flexible
- No concerns about subscription services or balance
Cons:
- You need to manage two Apple IDs
- You need to remember two sets of login credentials
Switching your existing ID's region:
Pros:
- No need to manage multiple IDs
- Slightly fewer steps
Cons:
- If you have App Store balance, you need to spend it first before switching
- Active subscription services may be affected
- China-exclusive apps may not update after switching
- Each switch is somewhat cumbersome
Overall, registering a new foreign Apple ID is the more recommended approach. Register once, use it long-term, no interference between accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you need a US phone number to register a US Apple ID?
No. The phone number during registration can use a mainland China +86 number, as long as it can receive verification codes.
Q: Can a foreign Apple ID use Chinese payment methods to add funds?
US Apple IDs don't support Alipay, WeChat Pay, or other Chinese payment methods. But downloading the Binance app is free, so no payment is needed. If you later need to purchase paid apps in the US store, you can buy US App Store gift cards online to add balance.
Q: Can two Apple IDs be used on the same iPhone?
Yes, but not simultaneously. The App Store only supports one Apple ID at a time. You need to manually switch between the two. However, iCloud and App Store can use different Apple IDs, so your iCloud data remains unaffected.
Q: Are apps downloaded with a foreign ID safe?
Apps downloaded through the App Store have all undergone Apple's security review, regardless of which region's App Store they come from — the security level is identical. Just make sure you're installing from the App Store and not from other sources.
Q: Will the Binance app be deleted after switching back to the China ID?
No. Apps already downloaded and installed won't be deleted when you switch Apple IDs. The app will remain on your phone and function normally. You'll only need to switch to the foreign ID again for updates.
It's recommended to save your foreign Apple ID login credentials securely when you register. You'll need this ID each time you update the Binance app, and forgetting the password means going through the recovery process, which is quite troublesome. If you're an Android user instead, you can download the Binance App directly from Binance Official without any of these Apple ID hassles.