You can change your App Store country, but the process differs between iPhone and Android, and you'll need a payment method from the new country
Changing your App Store country lets you see and download apps available in a different region, or access an app store that matches where you've moved. On iPhone, you do this through your Apple ID settings. On Android, you change it in Google Play settings. Both require you to have a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or gift card — from the country you're switching to, though you can often skip adding one temporarily.
The catch: you can't change your country more than once every 12 months on most accounts, and you'll lose access to apps you bought in your old country until you switch back. Your subscriptions and in-app purchases stay tied to your old country's store, so plan before you switch.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Account > Country/Region to change your App Store country.
- On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select Settings > General > Country and profiles, then choose your new country.
- You'll need a payment method from the new country — a credit card, debit card, or gift card — though some accounts can skip this step temporarily.
- You can only change your country once every 12 months on most accounts, and apps you bought in your old country won't appear in your new store.
- Subscriptions and in-app purchases remain tied to your original country's store even after you switch.
How to change your country on iPhone
Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Select Media & Purchases, then tap Account. You'll see "Country/Region" — tap it and choose your new country from the list. Apple will ask you to confirm and may ask for a payment method from that country.
If you don't have a payment method yet, you can sometimes proceed by selecting "None" when prompted, though this option isn't always available. If it is, you'll need to add one later before you can download paid apps. If "None" isn't an option, you'll need to enter a valid card or gift card number before you can finish.
After you change your country, you'll be signed out of the App Store. Sign back in with your Apple ID, and you'll see apps available in your new region. Your old purchases won't show up in the new store, but they're not deleted — they'll reappear if you switch back.
How to change your country on Android
Open Google Play and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then General, then Country and profiles. Tap the country listed under "Country of residence" and choose your new country from the dropdown menu.
Google will ask you to confirm and may prompt you to add a payment method. Like Apple, you can sometimes skip this step, but you'll need to add one before downloading paid apps. After you confirm, you'll see apps and content available in your new region the next time you open Google Play.
Unlike Apple, Google doesn't restrict how often you can change your country, but your account must be in good standing — no unpaid charges or policy violations. If you've had billing problems, Google may lock your country setting temporarily.
What payment methods work for each country
Each country's app store accepts different payment options. The United States App Store takes US credit cards, debit cards, and US iTunes gift cards. The UK store takes UK cards and UK gift cards. Canada, Australia, and most European countries follow the same pattern — you need a payment method issued in that country.
Gift cards are often the easiest option if you don't have a local card. You can buy them online from retailers in that country, and they work immediately. Some countries also accept PayPal or local payment methods — check your app store's payment settings to see what's available in your target country.
If you're moving to a country and don't yet have a local card, buying a gift card online is usually faster than waiting for a new bank account. The card or gift card number is all you need to complete the country change.
Why you lose access to old purchases after switching
When you change your App Store country, your old purchases don't vanish — they stay in your account, but they only appear in the store of the country where you bought them. This is because app licenses are tied to regional stores. An app you bought in the US store has a US license; it won't show up in the UK store even though you own it.
If you switch back to your original country within the 12-month window, your old purchases reappear immediately. If you stay in your new country for more than a year and then switch back, you'll still own those apps, but you may need to re-download them or restore them from your purchase history.
This also affects subscriptions. If you had a subscription in your old country's store, it stays tied to that store. You'll need to cancel it there and start a new subscription in your new country's store if you want to keep using the service.
The 12-month restriction and what it means
Apple limits you to one country change per 12 months. This means if you change from the US to the UK today, you can't change back to the US until 12 months from now. Google doesn't have this restriction, but your account must be in good standing.
The 12-month timer starts the moment you confirm your country change, not when you first try to change it. If you change your mind the next day, you're still locked in for a year. Plan your switch carefully, especially if you travel frequently or might move back soon.
If you genuinely moved to a new country and need to change back before 12 months, contact Apple Support or Google Support and explain your situation. They sometimes make exceptions for people who moved unexpectedly or made a mistake, but there's no may provide they'll override the restriction.
What happens to your subscriptions and in-app purchases
Subscriptions stay attached to the store where you bought them. If you subscribed to an app in the US store and then switch to the UK store, your subscription continues charging your US payment method. You'll still have access to the app, but you're paying in the old store's currency.
In-app purchases work the same way. Coins, gems, or other virtual currency you bought in one store don't transfer to another. If you switch countries, you'll need to spend any remaining balance in your old store before you lose access to it, or accept that it's gone.
Before you switch, review your subscriptions and in-app purchases. Cancel anything you don't need, and spend any remaining balance. After you switch, you can set up new subscriptions in your new country's store if you want to continue using those services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a VPN to access a different country's app store without changing my region?
No. App stores check your actual location and payment method, not just your IP address. Using a VPN won't let you access apps from a country you're not registered in. You have to change your country setting through your account to see a different store.
What if I don't have a payment method from the new country yet?
Try selecting "None" when prompted during the country change. This works on some accounts but not all. If it's not available, you'll need to add a card or gift card before you can finish. Buying a gift card online is usually the fastest option if you don't have a local card yet.
Will my apps stop working if I change my country?
Apps you already downloaded will keep working. You just won't see them in your new store's purchase history, and you won't be able to update them through the new store. Switch back to your old country to update them, or wait until you switch back permanently.
Can I have two app store accounts in different countries?
Yes. You can create a second Apple ID or Google account and set it to a different country. Both accounts can be on the same phone, but only one can be your primary account for downloading apps. This is useful if you want to keep access to apps from both countries without waiting 12 months to switch back.
What if my country change is rejected?
This usually means your payment method failed verification, your account has unpaid charges, or you've violated the store's terms. Check that your card details are correct and that your account is in good standing. If you still can't change it, contact Apple Support or Google Support with your account details.