How to Purchase Kindle Books from Singapore

SUN, 25 JUL 2010

I just got my iPad two days ago. I bought iPad primarily because I wanted to read eBooks and save the environment (actually my bookshelves kind of full). The Cloud-9 feeling of owning an iPad does not live long when I could not find Amazon Kindle app in iTunes App Store.

After some Sherlock-Holmes investigation, I found out that Amazon Kindle app is only available in iTunes US store and some other countries – definitely not in Singapore. Well, your dad probably ever told you that you should not give up on your first attempt, thus we all are looking for another way.

And I found a way to get it installed, but only to find another major problem. I couldn’t buy any Kindle books from Asia Pacific region. If you are like me, that’s probably another moment you utter the word, “Sh*t!”

Asia Pacific Kindle Store

With a little bit of common sense and luck, I worked my way out; a happy man I am, I bought The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Delivering Happiness. Let me share with you the steps, and hopefully it will work for you, so the excitement of working your fingers like in Minority Report - on the iPad, lives on.

How to Install Amazon Kindle on Your iPad

Ignore this step if your iTunes account is already a US account.

  • Create iTunes App Store US Account, follow Apple’s instructions on how to create an App Store account without a credit card (Remember to select United States for the country, and google for a US address).
  • Then go to your iTunes application, sign out from your current account, click on Store>Sign Out menu, then click on Store> Sign In again, once signed in with your US account, it should prompt a message to redirect you to iTunes US App Store, click OK to continue (Don’t worry the apps you have purchased using your Singapore account, they can still be sync-ed with your iPad)
  • Go back to iTunes Store, search for Amazon Kindle, and you should see it now, and install it right away (Tip: You may be interested with other US only apps, like Google Mobile App, Last.fm, and Yahoo! Entertainment).

How to Purchase Kindle Books

  • Create an Amazon account if you do not have one, enter your Singapore address and your Singapore Credit Card information as well.
  • Next, go to this page, change the country to be associated with your Kindle account, scroll down a little bit under Your Country heading. It should be empty. Add a US address (Google for one if you have no idea).
  • And now you are ready to purchase, search for a Kindle book and click the Buy button. If it prompts for payment, choose your Singapore credit card, and it works like charm. The book will be automatically downloaded when you start your Amazon Kindle on your iPad, pretty neat.

And just in case if you are wondering if you can use the same trick for iBook purchase, I’m really sorry, you can’t, cause it checks for a US credit card. If you know of a way, please let me know.

I’m happy with Kindle Store for now. By the way, what are you reading? I may be able to get some inspirations from intelligent people like you. And well, you can check out mine as well at BookJetty.

Happy reading, and I freaking love my iPad.

UPDATE:

  • A friend suggested that you can use US Unlocked service to get a US credit card. That could be an answer to your iBooks purchase, but it charges an nominal rate if you do not mind.
  • After purchasing the book, you may be getting an email from Amazon asking you to verify that you are a US resident. If you are, that will be easy, if you are not, there is nothing you can do but to stay status-quo by not replying.

    I am not very sure of the implications as well, a quick google search bring me to one of Kindle threads in Hardware Zone, it doesn’t specifically mention what will happen, and I just did not have the time, to go through all of the links in Google.

    My advice would be, please do not go with a purchase spree, as the worse-case scenario your account may be suspended (that will be very cruel for Amazon to do that), or future Kindle books purchase will no longer be allowed, or nothing may happen all. I take my chances, one or two books at a time, and get the best of what I can get at the moment.
  • After purchasing 4 books, I was not able to purchase another Kindle book, Amazon.com kept prompting me to contact the sales support team, or change my Kindle address, which I already did following the step above. I found out that now the IP detection check seems to be in-place now, so I login to my company’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) in the US, and using the same account, lucky me, I was still able to purchase more Kindle books. After that subsequent purchases work just fine without using the VPN.
  • If you downloaded the Kindle App from iPad, then syncing it to your iTunes on your computer, iTunes will prompt you to authorize this computer, just click on Authorize and enter your US account iTunes ID and password.
General
42 Comments . Comments Feed . Trackback URI
Mon, 26 Jul 10 04:33 pm . Arun wrote:

Thanks man, just bought ‘Delivering Happiness’ too. Very liberating to see the entire Amazon collection before your eyes, ready to be bought!

Mon, 26 Jul 10 04:03 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

The one-click buy button is pretty scary, may overspend on books :)

Fri, 30 Jul 10 05:20 pm . Kenneth wrote:

Thanks for the tip. I’ve been scouring the net for a decent guide and I’m glad I came across yours. Now I can go ahead and buy the ipad. Cheers!

Sat, 31 Jul 10 02:27 pm . Dennis Tia wrote:

Just use iTunes gift card to buy books, music, tv shows, anything from the US Itunes store/App store/iBook store by redeeming the gift card. You can buy the gift card from eBay SG. Already bought 3 books and a couple of iPad apps this way. No risk at all.

Fri, 13 Aug 10 01:27 pm . Andre wrote:

Thanks for sharing. It took me some time to figure out, but it worked and I am now using the iPad for the purpose intended!

Sat, 14 Aug 10 03:53 pm . bean wrote:

I went to the change your country page but cannot find the option. Please help.

Thanks.

Sun, 15 Aug 10 09:53 am . Susan wrote:

Hi. Just wondering if all these steps to purchase the Kindle for Ipad application and installing it on the Ipad in Singapore (even though its not available in Singapore) will result in our warranty becoming void?

My husband mentioned that the Iphone’s warranty will becoming void if apps which are not allowed in Sg are installed, i.e. its considering a jailbreak (not too sure of the term).

So, is it the same for Ipad?

Thanks so much. I just got my Ipad yesterday and would like to use the kindle app very much.

Sun, 15 Aug 10 11:26 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@bean Make sure that you are logged in to Amazon, and accessing this page, http://www.amazon.com/manageyourkindle, and go scroll down the page look for “Your Country” heading, right after “Your Default 1-Click Payment Method”

@Susan I’m not sure of the exact rule, but from simple logic, a US citizen who works in Singapore, with iTunes US account and buys iPad from Singapore. Think it should be fine for him to keep using his account, and it’s quite different from jail-breaking, where you forcefully overwrite the OS.

Thu, 9 Sep 10 02:03 pm . Keong wrote:

Hi, thanks for sharing the tips. I am going to try your method to buy ebooks. you mentioned that after a kindle book purchase, amazon may send email to ask whether you are US resident, so did you answer yes or no?

Thu, 9 Sep 10 03:51 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@Keong Since we can’t verify, we just ignore it at the moment.

Thu, 9 Sep 10 11:32 pm . Keong wrote:

Can I create new US iTunes account using iPad or must I use the laptop iTunes to create account? Would it make any difference ? I just want to be very sure I do not take wrong step and screw up my chance of getting kindle books on my iPad. My Same set of questions above also applies to signing up amazon account. Appreciate yr advice. Thanks.

Fri, 10 Sep 10 09:42 am . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@Keong You can do it from iPad or using your laptop, it does not make any difference, just follow the instructions from the link given http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534, and check out the steps above, should not be too complicated. :)

Fri, 10 Sep 10 02:12 pm . Keong wrote:

Eureka! finally i had Kindle app installed and had first amazon book downloaded into iPad Kindle!
Initially I had trouble trying to find the “Change country” setting on amazon after I log in. Instead, I went back to credit card details section to change billing address to US address, and that works! It auto detect my country and change to USA. Hope those who still have trouble changing country setting can try this method.

Fri, 10 Sep 10 04:54 pm . Keong wrote:

Just curious….borders also has ebooks available for purchase. Again, the singapore borders do not sell ebooks. There is a borders app available in US App store. Does anyone know the same trick for kindle and amazon will work for US borders.com bookstore?

Tue, 14 Sep 10 07:37 pm . Shirley wrote:

Thanks for sharing your tip about Kindle. I did it exactly as you described and am happily reading my ebooks! Now how about music from iTunes?

Sat, 18 Sep 10 10:28 am . Heidi wrote:

I got the email from amazon after following the steps that are mentioned. I wonder it’s illegal to buy books from outside the USA under the pretense that you live there. I don’t know what may happen so I changed my billing address to a local one.

Sun, 19 Sep 10 12:27 pm . Dave wrote:

Just like to share my experience in buying ebooks for my Spore iPad. On 17 Sep, I followed the steps mentioned here and managed to buy one book. I must admit I was very, very happy because I have been ‘monkeying’ around to bypass this “Kindle-Not-For-Singapore” stilly rule. After getting my book, I received an email from Amazon asking me to verifying my location/address. Of course, I ignored it. However, the second time I tried to buy another book, I found that some of the newer fiction-thriller were not available. There was a small note that said: THIS TITLE IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES. Frankly, I don’t believe this and I think it is just one way Amazon is trying to curtail this ‘illegal’ downloading.

Appreciate some of you folks who faces this similar problem.

Mon, 20 Sep 10 04:27 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@Shirley For iTunes think you can buy gift cards which is not limited to purchase from the US.

@Dave Is it just for one particular book? Coz I don’t have such issue with the other books.

Wed, 8 Dec 10 03:03 pm . Mel wrote:

Hey, I downloaded the kindle app on my Iphone. Was wondering whether u had purchased using ur SG CC or a gift card coz I have heard news of how once Amazon check ur billing address, they will delete the book off ur app once u relaunch it. And plus there is a surcharge for downloading the books outside of USA.

Thanks

Wed, 8 Dec 10 05:41 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@Mel I purchased using Singapore CC and I didn’t get the surcharge so far for all the books I have purchased.

Fri, 4 Feb 11 08:26 am . Kelly wrote:

I will be in the States till June and am really tempted to get a Kindle. Before that though, I wanted to clarify - does this mean I can still download books and my Kindle (bought in the States) can still be used when I return to Singapore?

Thu, 10 Feb 11 10:50 pm . gorm wrote:

Hi,
Have you tried this recently? I bought gift cards with my Indonesian CC , which is no problem on Amazon. then I bought the books with the gift card credit to avoid the CC identification problem.That worked until last week. Now Amazon seems to register that you contact them from a foreign IP address and they have blocked me again.

Best regards

Fri, 11 Feb 11 02:08 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@gorm Not recently, try using a VPN if you are blocked by IP, I did it once, and seems to be whiltelisted after that, as subsequent purchases just went through from Singapore.

Tue, 15 Feb 11 11:27 pm . Tommy wrote:

Just wanted to share the joy of moving to digital books (although I have gone straight onto ebooks). However, I made the mistake of doing it on my iphone, which works just fine considering the screen size, but has of course filled me with ipad envy and desire!! Plotting ways of convincing myself that I need one for work…..

Sat, 19 Feb 11 08:08 am . Avi Liran wrote:

If I already have one account from Singapore on my ipad. .
Can I create another account on it and use your instructions?

Sat, 19 Feb 11 10:35 am . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@Avi Yes you can. I initially have the SG account, then created the US account to download the Kindle app.

Mon, 21 Feb 11 07:48 am . Avi wrote:

The method works.
Herryanto Siatono is a truly nice and genuine person who will answer your mail and be there for you to help you.
I am grateful!
I had experienced a few hiccups with trying to sync an iPad that had already an account as it tried to sync my applications with my daughters’ applications yet it managed to get the job done at the end.

Mon, 21 Feb 11 09:12 am . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@Avi You are most welcome, glad that it works. :)

Thu, 9 Jun 11 01:07 am . Yulius Guritno wrote:

Terima Kasih atas bagi-bagi ilmu Brow….
sy tinggal di UAE—dan disini–sy tdk bisa
down load Kindle dr ITunes Store Lokal–

Salam Dr Rantau

Wed, 27 Jul 11 09:06 pm . Es wrote:

Wow…thank you soooo much! I was soooo disappointed when I couldn’t purchase any kindle books and this REALLY helped. Really happy now! Thank you thank you Thank you!!!

Sat, 30 Jul 11 11:59 am . Bret wrote:

Very very helpful. Thanks man. Going bonkers with one click purchases :)

Wed, 17 Aug 11 05:47 pm . hazel wrote:

thanks for the tip. i finally solved my ebook purchase issues. :)

Thu, 18 Aug 11 12:00 am . Cliff wrote:

Hey, thanks for the tip. I spent two hours searching for titles and coming up with nothing before I realised that I wasn’t able to access the titles due to my region. Just downloaded Catch 22 following your guide. Cheers mate!

Thu, 18 Aug 11 08:46 pm . IK wrote:

I have a collection of Kindle ebooks on my PC. If I install this Kindle app on my iPad 2, how exactly do I transfer them to my iPad to be read by this Kindle app?

Sun, 28 Aug 11 12:18 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@IK If you purchased it from Amazon.com, you can sync it under View Archived section and download the books.

If you converted it from epub, think you can copy them from iTunes with the latest Kindle app, but I haven’t tried this before, probably need to google a bit if you can’t.

Wed, 31 Aug 11 02:43 pm . Sam K wrote:

Thanks for all the tips guys. Just wondering how one manages the two itunes accounts. Hopefully you only need to use the US itunes when you looking for books and normally just use the regular one. Hopefully books in Kindle just show up no matter what itunes you used.

One other thing. I read somewhere one can have Singpost give you an overseas address. Has anyone look into that option (thought it would not help with credit card given different billing address)

Wed, 31 Aug 11 02:46 pm . Herryanto Siatono wrote:

@Sam K I’ve actually bought another kindle successfully for my wife, using vPost, send it to vPost US address, and vPost will forward it to Singapore.

It’s quite straight forward, just follow the instructions from vPost.

https://www.vpost.com.sg/

Thu, 1 Sep 11 12:45 am . Sam K wrote:

Thanks. Any thoughts on the iTunes question. Will two iTunes mess up syncing process.

Actually would love to hear any advice on a separate iPad2 issue - just bought mine last week as u can tell:) I added all the pics from my iPhone via existing I tunes but as soon as I click include videos - iTunes crashes. Tried many times including restart system but same result.

Thanks again.

Thu, 27 Oct 11 11:29 pm . E.Y wrote:

I followed the instructions as given. Am able to dl the free kindle books onto my ipad but not those that require payment. I tried twice and both orders remain under Open digital item with status “currently being processed”. When I open my Kindle app on Ipad, the books cannot be found there. Anyone else facing this problem?

Sun, 27 Nov 11 06:08 pm . Norman wrote:

Bought a Kindle Fire recently. Manage to buy ebooks using Gift Cards. But unable to purchase games and application. Anyone able to help?

Mon, 5 Dec 11 01:46 pm . Tasha wrote:

Hi.. thanks for your tip… Starting with my Kindle collection in iPad…

Wed, 21 Dec 11 02:54 am . Huiming wrote:

I bought the kindle books, dnloaded the kindle app to read but I can’t view any of the books from the reader! Help.

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