Cannot download Bell Wi-Fi app from the app store.

[robertg]

Just got Bell Fibe and 2 pods. The Bell instructions say to download Bell Wi-Fi app, I have an iPhone, but the app store does not have this app. When the technician was here he showed me the app on his iPhone. Note: I have a USA Apple userid; wondering if this is the issue. If so why the heck is there a difference in app stores.

[JD]

Some apps from the app store are region sensitive.  I would think Bell apps are intentionally made for Canadians only.

Try changing your country or region on your iPhone by going to the setting app and tap your name.  From there, tap Media & Purchases followed by tapping View Account.  Here is where you will find the Country/Region setting and you change it to Canada which will give you access to Canadian only apps such as Bell.

[OJH]

It’s like Bell Canada doesn’t care there are thousands of potential clients who live in the USA (and switching country app settings negatively affects many other apps, so not an option), and have vacation properties in Canada that need Internet service with remote access to the modem hubs.  Do they not realize they have competition from StarLink and other providers?!?!

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

That explains why you can not download an app that can only be used in Canada.

The Apple site in the USA & Canada may have many common apps but they also carry many that are not available in either one country or the other. A customer's Apple ID country or region setting determines the App Store storefront where they can purchase & download apps, etc.

There are work arounds for this, changing your country, but I can only caution you that there are also a lot of headaches & issues to think about if you plan on changing your Apple ID settings. You need to decide on one or the other, but you can not use both!

Here is just one Apple web link to look in to:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201389

Take care.

[dks]

Bell has legal contracts with broadcasters which restrict availability and access to within Canada. Other providers may provide availability but may also become geographically limited eventually.  

[OJH]

The Bell Wi-FI app being discussed only gives access to remotely administer a modem/hub, and does not allow broadcasting or streaming.

[dks]

Yes, I use the app myself. Bell has a contract with the modem provider (Sagemcom) and other providers, including broadcasters, which are geographically limited. That was my point. I would not be able to access an American internet provider's software from a Canadian Apple address, either. In regards to the wi-fi app, I believe you have to be within Canada to download and use the app. 

[WelshTerrier]

This is not a broadcasting & streaming issue!

There are numerous things in life that all of us do not like. If you want to use the Wi-Fi app, you must use it in Canada. If you wish to install it on whatever device, it must be installed & downloaded from a Canadian storefront supplier, such as Apple, Google, on to a Canadian registered device. You can take the device with you wherever, but you are still going to be limited as to what you can do or use from within another country.

Bell did not make up these rules or laws They are there for everyone's protection to follow! Canadian laws & rules may not be the same in the USA. They do have similar laws that they must also follow.

As I said in my earlier reply, if you are going south or coming north, you can change your devices ID, country & regional location. I do not recommended doing this. Ultimately, that is your choice to make.

Take care & thank you for your input.

[OJH · Accepted solution]

Solved with a work-around.  From the US, created a new Canadian Apple ID and set up on an old iPhone 7.  Was able to download the Bell WiFi app, access the modem/hub and put the WiFi password back to what it had been, and voila, I can again see on my main iPhone and PC all my remote Ontario cabin’s webcams, sensors, and control WiFi enabled devices.  Will set aside and keep that old iPhone 7 with the Canadian Apple ID to use only to access it’s Bell Wi-Fi app.

[WelshTerrier]

That is great news. Thanks for the update.

Just a question: Did the Wi-Fi app install with no errors or was it already installed as an app on your iPhone 7? If you recently installed it, have you verified that all of the features are working? 

The current version of the Bell Wi-Fi app is not compatible with an iPhone 7. iOS 10.1 is the most recent iOS for the iPhone 7.

The Bell Wi-Fi App was updated to Version 3.0 in mid 2023 & since then has been updated a number of times to 3.05. It was given a new interface. The minimum system requirements for the current Wi-Fi app 3.05 is: iOS 14.0 or newer.

Although the Bell Wi-Fi app support page shows iOS 9.1 or higher, this information does not appear to have  been updated on the web site to reflect the Wi-Fi app version change.

Enjoy your vacation.

Take care.

[OJH]

The old iPhone 7 was erased, then updated to IOS 15 (max possible version), a false Canadian Apple ID established on it, and then the Bell Wi-Fi app was installed and is fully functional.  

[WelshTerrier]

It is not an easy task to complete & certainly not one that I would recommend. As I mentioned earlier, it is doable, but you also need to do a reset & reinstall of everything, after changing Apple ID's. You also need to have the space to update to iOS 15.7.9 on an iPhone 7.

In your case, you have two iPhones. You now have the best of both worlds; Canada & USA  Apple storefronts.

Kudos! Enjoy.