5 Apps You Need on Day One in Korea (and How Foreigners Can Sign Up) · 2026
Google Maps can't find your bus. Nobody answers your text message. Your classmates say "just order it on Coupang". Sound familiar? Korea runs on its own apps, and the sooner you install them, the sooner life here gets easy. Here are the five every international student needs, and the one question everyone asks: can a foreigner actually sign up?
At a glance
| App | What it's for | Foreigners can use it? | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| KakaoTalk | Messaging, group chats | Yes | Any phone number (home number works) |
| Naver Map | Directions, buses, subway | Yes | No account needed |
| Papago | Translation, camera translation | Yes | No account needed |
| Kakao T | Taxis | Yes | Email, Google or Apple login; home number works |
| Coupang | Online shopping, fast delivery | Yes, with limits | A Korean phone number; ARC for all features |
Install before you fly: KakaoTalk, Naver Map, Papago and Kakao T all work with your home number or no account at all. Coupang has to wait until you have a Korean number.
1. KakaoTalk: the app everyone in Korea uses
In Korea, people don't text. They "Kakao". Your professors, your part-time boss, your landlord and your class group chat will all be on KakaoTalk. Many offices and even the Busan Global Center answer questions on it.
- Can foreigners sign up? Yes. Kakao says KakaoTalk works with phone numbers from 230 country codes. Choose your country code, enter your number, and verify by SMS.
- Tip: sign up with your home number before you leave, while you can still receive the SMS. When you get a Korean number, you can change it in settings.
- Tip: set a profile photo and your real name in English. Professors and group chats will know who you are.
2. Naver Map: because Google Maps doesn't work well here
This surprises every new student: Google Maps can't give good walking or driving directions in Korea. Naver Map can. It shows real-time bus arrivals, subway routes and walking directions.
- Can foreigners use it? Yes, and you don't need an account. Switch the language to English in settings.
- Tip: search places in Korean when you can (copy the name from the place's website). Results are much better.
- Tip: save your dorm, campus and nearest subway station as favourites on day one.
More on getting around: how to use buses and the subway in Busan.
3. Papago: your pocket translator
Papago is Naver's translation app, and it is especially good with Korean. The best feature is the camera: point your phone at a menu, a letter from immigration, or a snack label, and read it in your language.
- Can foreigners use it? Yes, free and with no account needed.
- Checking for pork or alcohol? Use the camera on the ingredients list (원재료명). See our halal food guide for the Korean words to look for.
- Tip: use the conversation mode at the bank or hospital. Each person speaks in turn and Papago translates.
4. Kakao T: taxis without the stress
Arriving at Busan Station late at night with two suitcases? Kakao T calls a taxi to where you are, shows the driver's route, and saves you from explaining the address in Korean.
- Can foreigners sign up? Yes. You can sign up with email, Google or Apple, and a foreign phone number with your country code. The app has an English mode.
- Payment: foreign credit cards are sometimes rejected in the app. If that happens, choose "pay the driver directly" and pay by card, cash or T-money in the taxi.
- Tip: set the pick-up pin carefully, especially at big stations and airports with many exits.
5. Coupang: order almost anything, delivered tomorrow
Rice cooker, winter blanket, shampoo, a plug adapter: most students furnish their whole room on Coupang. With "Rocket Delivery", many items arrive the next day, sometimes the next morning.
- Can foreigners sign up? Yes, but you need a Korean phone number for the SMS check. A prepaid number usually works for basic shopping.
- Without an ARC: you can shop and get standard delivery. Many foreign Visa and Mastercard cards work, but not all.
- With an ARC and a Korean bank card: you unlock everything, including the Rocket WOW membership, fresh groceries and Coupang Eats food delivery.
- Tip: switch the app to English in settings, and write your address exactly as on your lease or dorm letter.
Coupang is where most students first get stuck, because of the Korean phone number. Get one on arrival: how to get a phone number in Korea.
If sign-up fails: the 3 usual reasons
- No Korean number, or a number that isn't in your name. Some apps need a postpaid line opened with your ARC. See the phone guide.
- Your foreign card is declined. Try another card, pay in person where you can, or wait for your Korean bank card. See opening a bank account.
- Your name doesn't match. Use your name exactly as it appears on your passport or ARC, including spaces and order.
Just arriving? Get the free Busan Arrival Checklist. It shows when to get your phone number, ARC and bank account, in the right order.
Get the free checklist
