There’s something both magical and infuriating about owning Apple gear in Kenya. On one hand, you’ve got this shiny, beautifully engineered piece of tech in your hand. On the other? Half the ecosystem doesn’t even work here. It’s like buying a Ferrari with a speed cap on Mombasa Road, sleek, powerful, and annoyingly underutilized.
So why is Apple still holding out on launching core services in Kenya? And more importantly: how do you still make the most of your iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch in Nairobi, Kisumu, or wherever you are in this fine country?
Apple Pay – Not supported by Kenyan banks
You’ve seen it on TikTok. Someone double-taps their Apple Watch, taps the card reader, and boom, paid. No wallet. No M-PESA codes. No digging around for a debit card that’s half-faded.
But here in Kenya, you try it and… nope.
Apple Pay isn’t available. Kenyan banks still don’t support it, even though Safaricom and Equity have the tech to make it happen.
Workaround:
Set up a virtual Visa card through apps like Chipper Cash, Wise, or Eversend. These let you load USD and spend internationally. No, it won’t work in-store, but it will let you shop online, pay for apps, or renew iCloud.
Apple Fitness+ – Only available in selected countries
Your Apple Watch is telling you to close your rings. You’re ready to hit a home HIIT session. You tap the Fitness+ tab hoping for a guided workout, but instead, nada. Just the default activity rings.
That’s because Apple Fitness+ isn’t available in Kenya.
So What Do We Do?
Simple. Create a US Apple ID. Load it with Apple Gift Cards (available from Amazon or local digital vendors), switch to the US App Store, and boom — Fitness+ unlocks. Works on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
Or do what most of us do: YouTube + good WiFi = free workouts.45
Apple News+ – Not available in Africa
You Tap the News App Hoping for Bloomberg and get a generic newsfeed that’s about as exciting as last month’s leftovers.
No curated journalism, no magazine-style layout, and certainly no Apple News+. Because once again not available in Africa.
Want The Economist, NYT, or Men’s Health on your iPad like they showed in the keynote? Sorry, unless you’re VPN-hopping and gift card-loading, it’s not happening.
📚 Alternative Fix:
Use Flipboard or Pocket. They’re free, slick, and actually quite brilliant. You won’t get Apple’s UI, but you’ll still get world-class articles without feeling like you’re locked out of a club you helped pay for.
Apple Card & Apple Cash – US-Only
A titanium card from Apple that gives you cashback and syncs with your iPhone? Cool. Oh wait —
Apple Card & Apple Cash are US-only, and require a Social Security Number. Which we don’t have. Nor need.
Even if you use a US Apple ID, you can’t fake your way into this one.
Smart Kenyan Move:
Stick to M-PESA, your local bank cards, or a virtual USD card.
What’s the Big Deal, Really?
These services aren’t just shiny extras. They’re the connective tissue of the Apple ecosystem. Apple Pay makes your Watch actually useful. Fitness+ is like having a coach. News+ is a proper newsstand in your pocket. Apple Card is okay, yeah, that one’s just bragging rights.
But here’s the good news: you can still enjoy the ecosystem, if you play smart.
Apple Will Come Around
Apple will expand eventually. Kenya’s got the user base, the tech growth, and the digital infrastructure to support these services. But until then, think like a hacker not a hostage.
And if you ever need help setting up your device the smart way? We’re right here.
📍 Rehema House, 6th Floor, Nairobi CBD
📞 0722 986 457 / 0735 986 457
🌐 applecenter.co.ke
