You can change your App Store country by updating your Apple ID settings, but you'll need a payment method from that country and must empty your account balance first

The App Store is tied to your Apple ID and the country you selected when you created it. If you've moved, traveled, or want to access apps available only in another region, you can change this setting. The process is straightforward, but Apple has a few requirements: your account balance must be zero, you need a valid payment method from the new country, and you'll need an address there too.

The change takes effect immediately once you complete it, and you'll see different apps, prices, and content in your new region's store. You can change your country again later, but you'll need to wait a few weeks between changes and repeat the same steps each time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store country is set through your Apple ID settings, not your device's location settings, so changing one doesn't automatically change the other.
  • You must have a zero balance in your account before changing countries — spend any remaining credit or contact Apple Support to remove it.
  • You need a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or local payment option) registered to an address in the new country.
  • After you change countries, you cannot change again for at least two weeks, and some apps you own may become unavailable in your new region.

Step-by-step: Changing your country on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Select "Media & Purchases," then tap "View Account." You'll see your current country listed near the top of the screen. Tap "Country/Region" to change it.

A list of countries appears. Scroll to find the country you want and tap it. Apple will ask you to confirm your new address and add or update a payment method for that region. Enter the street address, city, postal code, and phone number exactly as they appear on your payment method or official documents. If you don't have a local payment method yet, you can add one now — Apple accepts credit cards, debit cards, and region-specific options like Google Play credit in some countries.

After you enter your payment details and confirm, the change is complete. Your App Store will refresh to show apps, prices, and content for your new country. This usually happens within a few minutes.

Step-by-step: Changing your country on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older macOS versions). Click "General," then scroll down and click "Apple ID." Select "Media & Purchases" from the sidebar.

Click "View Account" and sign in if prompted. You'll see your current country listed. Click "Country/Region" to open the change screen. Select your new country from the list, then enter your address and payment method details. The process is identical to iPhone and iPad — your address must match your payment method, and you need a valid payment option from that country.

What to do if your account balance isn't zero

If you have credit remaining from gift cards, refunds, or store credit, you must spend it before changing countries. The easiest way is to buy an app, game, or in-app purchase that costs less than or equal to your balance. If your balance is very small and you can't find anything to spend it on, contact Apple Support through the Settings app or at support.apple.com.

Explain that you want to change your country but have a remaining balance. Apple Support can sometimes remove small balances manually, though they may ask you to attempt a purchase first. This process can take a few days, so plan ahead if you're on a deadline.

Payment methods and address requirements by country

Apple accepts different payment methods depending on your new country. In the United States, Canada, and most European countries, credit and debit cards work. Some regions also accept local payment methods — for example, Japan accepts au WALLet and docomo d払い, while India accepts UPI and local bank transfers.

Your address must be real and match the payment method you're registering. Apple verifies this information, and mismatches can cause the change to fail or your account to be flagged. If you're moving to a new country but don't yet have a local payment method, you can use a credit card from your previous country temporarily, but the billing address must be in the new country. Some travelers use a local friend's address with their own payment card, but Apple's terms don't officially support this, and your account could be restricted if discovered.

What happens to your apps and purchases after you change countries

Apps you've already downloaded and installed will continue to work on your device, even if they're no longer available in your new country's App Store. However, you won't be able to update them through the App Store once you change regions. If an app is removed from your new country's store, you can still reinstall it from your purchase history, but updates will stop appearing.

Some apps are region-locked and may stop working entirely after you change countries — this is rare but happens with certain banking apps, streaming services, and games. Before you change your country, check whether any apps you rely on are available in your new region by searching for them in that country's App Store. You can do this by temporarily changing your country, checking, and then changing back (though you'll need to wait two weeks before changing again).

Waiting periods and restrictions between country changes

After you change your country, you must wait at least two weeks before changing it again. This is a hard limit Apple enforces to prevent fraud and account abuse. If you try to change before two weeks have passed, you'll see an error message saying you must wait until a specific date.

If you need to change countries more frequently — for example, if you travel regularly — consider creating a separate Apple ID for each country. This lets you maintain separate App Store accounts without hitting the two-week waiting period. You can switch between Apple IDs on your device by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then signing in with a different account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my device's location settings change my App Store country?

No. Your device's location (set in Settings > Privacy > Location Services) is separate from your App Store country. Changing one doesn't affect the other. Your App Store country is tied only to your Apple ID settings, so you must change it through your account, not your device settings.

Can I use a VPN to access another country's App Store without changing my account?

No. The App Store checks your Apple ID's registered country, not your IP address or VPN location. Using a VPN won't let you see or download apps from another country's store. You must officially change your country through your Apple ID settings.

What if I don't have an address in the new country yet?

You need a real address to complete the change. If you're moving but don't have a permanent address yet, you can use a temporary one — a hotel, Airbnb, or a friend's address. The address must match your payment method's billing address, so make sure they align before you submit.

Will I lose my apps if I change countries?

Apps you've already downloaded stay on your device and continue to work. You won't lose them. However, you won't receive updates for apps that are no longer available in your new country's App Store, and you can't download them again if you delete them.

How long does it take for the App Store to update after I change countries?

The change is usually instant, but it can take a few minutes for the App Store to refresh and show content from your new country. If it hasn't updated after 10 minutes, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in, or restart your device.