How to change your App Store location

Your App Store location is tied to the country or region where your account is registered. To change it, you update the country or region setting in your account, not in your device settings. On iPhone and iPad, this happens in the Settings app under your Apple ID. On Android, you change it in Google Play settings. On Mac or Windows, you change it through the web version of each store. The process takes a few minutes, but you'll need a valid payment method for the new region before you start.

The change applies immediately to what you see in the store, though it can take a few hours for all content to update. Apps you've already downloaded will stay on your device, but you may not be able to update them if they're no longer available in your new region. Some platforms also restrict how often you can change your location — Apple requires 12 months between changes if you've made a purchase, while Google's rules vary.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store location is determined by your account's registered country or region, not your device's physical location.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, select Media & Purchases, then tap your country or region to change it.
  • On Android, open Google Play, go to Settings, tap your account, then select Country and profiles to change your region.
  • You must have a valid payment method registered in the new country before you can complete the change.
  • Apps you've already downloaded will remain on your device, but you may not be able to update them if they're no longer available in your new region.

Changing your location on iPhone and 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 or region listed. Tap it to open a menu of available countries and regions. Choose the one you want and confirm your selection.

Before you proceed, make sure you have a valid payment method for the new region. If you don't, you'll be asked to add one. You can use a credit card, debit card, or a gift card purchased in that country. Some regions also accept local payment methods like PayPal or carrier billing. After you confirm the change, your App Store will switch to the new region within a few minutes.

Changing your location on Android

Open the Google Play app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then tap your account name. Choose Country and profiles. You'll see your current country listed. Tap it to see available countries and regions, then select the one you want.

Like Apple, Google requires a valid payment method in the new country before you can complete the change. Add a credit card, debit card, or a local payment method accepted in that region. After you confirm, your Google Play Store will update to show apps and content available in your new location. This usually happens within minutes, though it can take up to a few hours.

Changing your location on Mac or Windows

For the App Store on Mac, open the App Store app, click your account icon in the top right, and select Account Settings. Find the country or region setting and click Change. Select your new country or region from the list and confirm.

On Windows, you change your Microsoft Store region through your account settings. Open the Microsoft Store app, click your profile icon, select App settings, and look for the region or country option. You can also change your region through your Windows account settings by going to Settings, then Time & Language, then Region. Note that changing your Windows region may affect other services beyond the Microsoft Store.

What happens to apps you already have

Apps you've already downloaded will stay on your device after you change your App Store location. However, you may not be able to update them if they're no longer available in your new region. Some developers restrict their apps to certain countries, so an app that worked in your old location might not be available for download or update in your new one.

If an app becomes unavailable in your new region, you have two options: keep the version you have without updates, or uninstall it and look for an alternative. Some developers offer different versions of the same app for different regions, so searching the store in your new location might turn up a regional version you can use instead.

Why you might need to change your location

People change their App Store location for several reasons. You might have moved to a new country and want access to apps available there. You might be traveling and want to download apps that are only available in that region. Or you might want to access content, pricing, or features that differ by region.

Keep in mind that changing your location doesn't hide your actual location from app developers or from the platforms themselves. Apps can still detect where you physically are using GPS, IP address, or other methods. Changing your App Store location only changes which apps and prices you see in the store and which payment methods you can use.

Limits on how often you can change your location

Apple requires you to wait 12 months before changing your country or region again if you've made a purchase in the current region. This means if you bought an app, subscription, or in-app purchase, you're locked into that region for a year. Google has similar restrictions but may allow changes more frequently if you haven't made purchases. Check your account settings to see if you're may be able to access to change before you try.

If you're locked out of changing your location, you can contact Apple Support or Google Support to request an exception. Explain your situation — moving to a new country, for example — and they may be able to help you change it sooner. Keep in mind that support may ask for proof of your new location, such as a utility bill or ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an app from one region if I change to another region's App Store?

Apps you've already downloaded will continue to work on your device. However, you won't be able to update them through the new region's App Store if they're not available there. Some apps are region-locked and may stop working if you move to a country where they're not officially sold.

Do I need to change my App Store location if I'm just traveling?

No. Your App Store location is based on your account's registered country, not your physical location. You can travel anywhere and still access your home country's App Store. However, some apps may behave differently based on your physical location, which they detect through GPS or IP address.

What payment methods work in different regions?

Each region accepts different payment methods. Most accept credit and debit cards. Some accept PayPal, carrier billing, or local payment systems. Before you change your location, check what payment methods are accepted in the new region and make sure you have one available.

If I change my App Store location, will my subscriptions transfer?

Subscriptions are tied to your account and payment method, not to your App Store location. If you change regions, your active subscriptions will continue, but you may be charged in the new region's currency. Some subscriptions may not be available in all regions, so check before you change your location if you have active subscriptions you want to keep.

Can I have multiple App Store accounts in different regions?

Yes. You can create separate accounts for different regions and sign into each one on your device. On iPhone, you can have multiple Apple IDs and switch between them in Settings. On Android, you can add multiple Google accounts to your device. This lets you access apps from different regions without constantly changing your main account's location.