Recently, more and more people are considering purchasing an iPhone in the United States and using it in Japan. iPhones sold in the United States are cheaper than those purchased in Japan, so many people decide to buy one, but many people wonder, "Can an iPhone purchased in the United States be used in Japan?" This article explains in detail how an iPhone purchased in the United States can be used in Japan.

Can I use an iPhone bought in the US in Japan?

iPhones purchased in the US can be used in Japan, but there are some conditions. Check the following points to determine whether you can use it in Japan without any problems.

Whether an iPhone purchased in the US can be used in Japan depends on whether it has the "Technical Conformity Mark." The Technical Conformity Mark is a technical standards compliance certificate issued by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and devices without this mark are subject to restrictions on use under Japan's Radio Law. Many iPhones sold in the US do not have the Technical Conformity Mark, so caution is required when using them in Japan as is.

iPhones sold in the US are usually SIM-free. This means that when you return to Japan, you can use them with Japanese carriers (such as Docomo, au, Softbank, etc.) by simply replacing the SIM card. However, iPhone models not sold in Japan may not support certain frequency bands, so it's important to check the supported frequency bands before purchasing.

If the iPhone you purchased in the US is a model that supports eSIM (iPhone 14 or later), you can use it in Japan. To use eSIM, you'll need to check whether your Japanese carrier supports it and change your plan. eSIM is particularly convenient because it allows you to communicate without using a physical SIM card.

iPhones purchased in the US can be used in Japan, but it's important to check whether they have the technical conformity mark, the supported frequency bands, and eSIM compatibility. If they have the technical conformity mark, you can use them with Japanese carriers by inserting a different SIM card, and if they are eSIM-compatible models, they'll be even more convenient to use.

What is the network compatibility of an iPhone purchased in the United States?

Network compatibility for iPhones purchased in the US may vary depending on the model, but in general, it's important to check the following points:

Checking supported frequency bands

Some iPhones sold in the US are compatible with Japanese cellular network frequency bands, but not all models are. Since carriers use different frequency bands, it's important to check whether an iPhone purchased in the US is compatible with a Japanese carrier.

Frequency bands of major carriers in Japan

• Docomo : 1.7GHz (Band 3), 2.1GHz (Band 1), etc.

• au : 2.1GHz (Band 1), 800MHz (Band 18), etc.

• SoftBank : 1.7GHz (Band 3), 900MHz (Band 8), etc.

If an iPhone purchased in the US supports these frequency bands, there is a good chance it will work with Japanese carriers without any problems. Before purchasing, be sure to check the supported bands on the official Apple website or in the model information.

Check SIM lock

Most iPhones purchased in the United States are SIM-free (unlocked), but some carriers (e.g., AT&T, Verizon) offer SIM-locked models. To use a SIM-locked iPhone in Japan, it must be unlocked. Most carriers offer unlocking after a certain period of use, but if the phone is SIM-locked at the time of purchase, you will need to go through the unlocking process.

Check 5G compatibility

If your iPhone is 5G compatible, you'll need to check whether it's available on your Japanese carrier. While the major Japanese carriers (Docomo, au, and Softbank) offer 5G networks, they support different bands, so it's important to check whether the iPhone you purchase is compatible with Japan's 5G network.

Using eSIM

iPhone 14 and later models purchased in the US support eSIM. eSIM is a system that switches SIMs digitally without using a physical SIM card. This makes it convenient to use, especially when returning to Japan, as it eliminates the need to swap SIM cards. However, you will need to check whether your Japanese carrier supports eSIM and use it according to your contract.

Do I need to unlock the SIM on an iPhone purchased in the US?

iPhones purchased in the US may be SIM-locked by the carrier. In particular, iPhones purchased when signing a contract with a US carrier may be SIM-locked, meaning they can only be used with SIM cards from a specific carrier. If the phone is SIM-locked, you will need to unlock it in order to use it in Japan.

• How to unlock your SIM : You can contact your US carrier and request an unlock. Major carriers (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile) may unlock your SIM for free if your contract has expired.

Is AppleCare+ applicable to American iPhones in Japan?

AppleCare+ is an extended warranty service for Apple products. You can add AppleCare+ to iPhones purchased in the United States, but you need to check whether it is available in Japan.

• International Applicability of AppleCare+ : AppleCare+ generally includes an international warranty. Therefore, even if you purchased your iPhone in the US, you can receive repairs and support at an Apple Store or authorized repair shop in Japan. However, some services may be limited depending on the type of malfunction and your region, so we recommend checking in advance.

• Repair procedure and cost : If you have your device repaired in Japan, repair costs will be free if it is within the warranty period, regardless of whether you have AppleCare+. For details on repair times and procedures, please check with Apple's official support.

Related article: My iPhone screen is cracked! How to repair it cheaply with AppleCare+

Charger and component compatibility: differences between the US and Japan

Voltages and power outlets differ between the US and Japan, so you need to be especially careful with iPhone chargers and other accessories.

Voltage and plug type

The US uses a 120V voltage, while Japan uses 100V. Most iPhone chargers are compatible with voltages between 100V and 240V, so you can generally use them directly with Japanese power sources. However, the plug shape in the US is different from that in Japan, so you may need an adapter.

Accessory Compatibility

iPhone accessories (cables, earphones, etc.) can also be used in Japan without any issues. The only difference is the plug shape of the charger and whether or not an adapter is required.

Use of specific features of an iPhone purchased in the US in Japan

American iPhones may have certain features that are not available in Japan, mainly due to software limitations.

Language and Region Settings

Even on an American iPhone, you can change the language setting to Japanese, and you can also download Japanese apps from the App Store.

Supports Apple Pay and local services

Some American iPhones may not be able to use Apple Pay or certain Japanese services (such as Suica). This may mean that there are restrictions on the services you can use, so it's a good idea to check beforehand.

Things to note when using an American-made iPhone in Japan

Here are some things to keep in mind when using an American-made iPhone in Japan:

• Speed ​​differences : Japanese carriers and US carriers may have different speeds and signal strengths. Speeds may be slower than expected, especially when using 5G networks.

• Service limitations : Some Japanese-specific services and apps may not be available on American iPhones. It is important to take this into consideration and understand that there may be limitations to the functionality before using the device.

conclusion

iPhones purchased in the US can be used in Japan without any problems, but it's important to check a few things beforehand, such as network compatibility, SIM unlocking, and AppleCare+ availability. It's also a good idea to check the compatibility of chargers and accessories, and prepare adapters if necessary.

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Related article: How to get the lowest price on the iPhone 16/15! Great deals and money-saving tips revealed