How to Change Country on the App Store (iPhone, iPad & Mac)
Changing your country or region on the App Store isn't complicated, but it comes with real consequences that catch many users off guard. Before you tap through the settings, it helps to understand exactly what changes, what doesn't, and why Apple enforces the restrictions it does.
Why the App Store Is Tied to a Country in the First Place
Apple links every Apple ID to a specific storefront region, which determines which apps, subscriptions, and payment methods are available to you. This exists because:
- App licensing is regional. Developers may publish an app in the US store but not in Germany, or vice versa. Legal, tax, and distribution agreements vary by country.
- Pricing is local. Apps are priced in local currencies, and Apple must collect taxes in compliance with each region's laws.
- Content regulations differ. Some apps are restricted or modified in certain countries due to local laws.
So when you switch countries, you're not just updating a preference — you're moving your account to an entirely different storefront.
What Changes When You Switch Regions 🌍
| What Changes | What Stays the Same |
|---|---|
| Available apps and games | Previously purchased apps (still in your library) |
| App pricing and currency | Your Apple ID email and password |
| Featured content and rankings | iCloud storage (plan may need updating) |
| Available payment methods | Your purchase history |
| Subscription availability | Family Sharing (though it gets complicated) |
One important note: active subscriptions don't automatically transfer. If you have an active subscription through the App Store, Apple will typically require you to cancel it or let it expire before allowing the region change. This includes Apple One, Apple Arcade, and third-party app subscriptions billed through Apple.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your App Store Country on iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings on your device.
- Tap your name at the top (your Apple ID).
- Tap Media & Purchases.
- Tap View Account and authenticate.
- Tap Country/Region.
- Tap Change Country or Region.
- Select your new country from the list.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
- Enter a valid payment method for the new country — or select "None" if that option appears.
- Enter a billing address in the new country.
Apple requires a valid payment method or address in the target country. Without one, the change may be blocked.
How to Change Country on the App Store via Mac
- Open the App Store app.
- Click your name or the sign-in button at the bottom of the sidebar.
- Click View Information at the top of the account page.
- Scroll to Country/Region and click Change Country or Region.
- Follow the same steps as above — select country, agree to terms, enter payment details.
You can also make this change through iTunes on Windows, or through the Apple ID account page at appleid.apple.com under the Payment and Shipping section.
The Payment Method Requirement — and How "None" Works
The most common sticking point is the payment method requirement. Apple needs a billing address that matches the destination country.
If you don't have a credit card issued in that country, check whether "None" appears as a payment option. This option shows up selectively — typically when the destination store has free apps or when your account has no pending charges. If you only intend to download free apps in the new region, selecting "None" with a local address may be sufficient.
Using a gift card from the target country's App Store is another common workaround. Redeeming a country-specific gift card can trigger the region switch and fund your account in the local currency simultaneously.
What Happens to Your Existing Apps and Purchases 🔄
Apps you've already downloaded remain accessible on your device. You can continue using them. However, if those apps are not available in your new country's store, you won't be able to update them through the App Store. Updates only come from the storefront where the app is listed.
If you switch back to your original region later, purchased apps and subscriptions associated with that original region become accessible again through your purchase history.
Family Sharing adds another layer of complexity. If you're the family organizer, changing your region affects the entire group's shared purchases and subscriptions. Each family member's account remains tied to their own region setting, but shared subscriptions like Apple One are region-dependent.
Variables That Affect How This Works for You
The process looks the same for everyone on paper, but a few factors meaningfully change the experience:
- Active subscriptions — Having any active App Store subscription will block or delay the region change until it expires or is cancelled.
- Outstanding balance or credits — Unused App Store credit doesn't transfer between regions. It stays locked to the original storefront.
- Your Apple ID's region history — Apple limits how frequently you can change regions. Generally, you can only change once per 90 days.
- Family Sharing status — Being a family organizer adds restrictions that individual account holders don't face.
- Available payment methods — Users in some countries have access to carrier billing, PayPal, or local payment options that others don't.
The 90-day lock is particularly worth factoring in if you're considering switching regions temporarily to access a specific app or promotion — once you switch, you're committed to that region for at least three months.
Whether the process is straightforward or involves real trade-offs depends entirely on your current subscriptions, credits, family setup, and what you're trying to accomplish on the other side.