How to get Skype on a Canadian iPhone/iPod Touch

UPDATE9 Sept 2009: This is no longer needed as Skype for iPhone is now available in Canada. See http://www.wifitalk.ca/?p=362

A lot of people have been asking me for a guide on how to install skype in Canada. It isn’t in the Canadian AppStore because of some codec-related patent issue. No worries, there’s a way around that.

First, you need a US AppStore account. To do that, just follow Apple’s guide. In step #2, make sure the country you select is the US. Follow the rest of the steps there, using a fake address, real zip code (90210 works), and a real email address.

Download the skype app for free, sync your iPod or iPhone and it’ll be installed for you. No, it will not wipe your other apps out. When the sync is done, sign out of your new US AppStore account and sign back in to your Canadian one. Skype will stay installed on your iPod/iPhone.