How to Open a Naver or Kakao Account in Korea: A Must-Have for Daily Life

Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners to Access Korea’s Most Essential Apps

1. Why You NEED Naver and Kakao Accounts in Korea

If you're living or staying in Korea, having accounts on Naver and Kakao is essential for:

  • Naver: Search engine, maps, online shopping, blogs, café communities

  • Kakao: Messaging (KakaoTalk), payments (KakaoPay), taxis (Kakao T), and more

Without these, even basic services like ordering food, joining communities, or navigating are limited.

2. What You Need Before Signing Up

To create a Naver or Kakao account, you’ll need:

  • A valid email address (Gmail or local)

  • A Korean mobile number (for SMS verification)

  • Korean phone SIM card or virtual number services (for some exceptions)

  • Optional: Alien Registration Number (ARC) for full feature access

💡 Foreign phone numbers often don’t work for verification—get a local SIM first.

3. How to Sign Up for a Naver Account

Here’s how to open a Naver account:

  1. Go to https://www.naver.com

  2. Click on 회원가입 (Sign Up)

  3. Choose 외국인 (Foreigner)

  4. Fill in your info: Name, ID, password, phone number

  5. Enter the verification code sent by SMS

  6. Agree to terms and submit

🟢 Once done, you can use Naver Maps, Shopping, Blog, Café, and more.

4. How to Sign Up for a Kakao Account

Kakao account creation is tied to KakaoTalk, Korea’s #1 messaging app.

Steps:

  1. Download the KakaoTalk app

  2. Open the app and tap Sign Up

  3. Enter your Korean phone number

  4. Receive and input the verification code (SMS)

  5. Set your name, profile photo, and create your Kakao ID

  6. You now have access to KakaoPay, Kakao T, KakaoMap, and more

🟡 After registration, you can log in to other Kakao apps with the same account.

5. What If You Don’t Have a Korean Phone Number?

If you don’t yet have a Korean number:

  • Use virtual Korean numbers via travel SIMs (some tourist SIMs allow SMS)

  • Consider services like Chingu Mobile or EG SIM with foreigner-friendly plans

  • Ask a friend to help you verify, but some platforms now block shared numbers

📵 Without a Korean number, full account creation is often restricted.

6. Using Naver and Kakao for Everyday Life

  • Naver:

    • Maps, public transport, blog communities, webtoons

    • Used for hospital bookings, restaurant searches, and shopping

  • Kakao:

    • Messaging, payment, taxi, group chat coordination

    • KakaoPay is accepted widely in stores and cafés

🧭 Many local services require Naver or Kakao login for access (e.g., delivery apps, event tickets).

7. Quick Korean Phrases You Might See During Sign-Up

  • “인증번호를 입력하세요.” — Enter the verification code

  • “휴대폰 번호 확인” — Mobile phone verification

  • “아이디 중복 확인” — Check if the ID is available

  • “회원가입 완료” — Sign-up complete

📲 Use Papago or Google Translate camera to scan and understand Korean screens.


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