Video generator Sora: How to use it on iPhone even in Europe
OpenAI only allows American users into its new AI video social network. However, there is a trick to get in.
Icon of the Sora app: Still quite exclusive.
(Image: OpenAI)
Hardly any iPhone app has been hyped as much in recent months as OpenAI's Sora. The application, based on the improved Sora-2 video generator, combines the creation of AI videos with a TikTok-like social network consisting solely of them. The problem: the free app is currently only available in the USA, and cannot be downloaded from the German App Store. However, there is a way to use it in Europe as well.
Briefly move to the USA
The key to this is an Apple account that is based in the United States. With this, you can then log into the US App Store, which is also possible in parallel with a German iCloud access. To do this, the American account is after creation on the web – for which a US address is required – stored in the "Media & Purchases" section of the Apple account settings. However, it should be considered that this also means that other Apple services such as Apple Music will move to the USA and you will be logged out of the respective German offerings.
Videos by heise
However, it is also possible to briefly switch to the US account, download Sora, and then return to the German App Store by logging out of the US offering again. After downloading, the app remains usable as long as the US account has been deposited on the device once. However, this is not ideal because the app may not be updated automatically. Users may then have to switch to the US App Store again, which in turn is associated with logging out of Apple services (see above, iCloud remains outside). A VPN is not necessary for the Sora app; OpenAI also accepts European IP addresses.
Sora requires invite codes
To use the Sora app, you will need an invitation code. Since each Sora user receives six, which can be freely distributed, it is best to ask among friends. Alternatively, there is also the option to be placed on a waiting list. For a test account, this took about two weeks; OpenAI seems to be rolling out access gradually. It is still unclear when a full release will occur – as well as when and if the app will come to the EU. Those who only want to use Sora 2 without the app can also use AI providers like Higgsfield, but these are subject to a fee; a package with currently unlimited generation costs, in a "special offer", 30 US dollars per month.
Initially, almost anything could be generated with Sora – even the creation of content with well-known characters protected by copyright from Pikachu to South Park. Celebrities could also be easily deepfaked. Meanwhile, the level of anarchy has decreased; OpenAI has introduced new "guardrails" that prohibit many prompts – including well-known memes. However, the basic functionality of the app remains: generating videos of about 10 seconds, in which users can even appear themselves. The feature called Cameo works by capturing the upper body via the iPhone camera. You also have to say a few words, as the voice is also reproduced.
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