You can change your App Store country, but it requires a payment method from that country
The App Store ties your account to a specific country based on your payment method and billing address. To switch to a different country's App Store, you need to update both your payment information and your location settings. The process takes about 10 minutes and works the same way whether you're moving to a new country or want to access apps available only in another region.
Apple does not let you change your country directly from a settings menu. Instead, you change it by updating your payment method to one from the new country. This means you'll need a valid payment card, Apple Gift Card, or local payment option from your target country before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Your App Store country is determined by your payment method and billing address, not your device location or Apple ID email.
- You must have a valid payment method from the new country — a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card issued in that country.
- The change takes effect immediately after you update your payment information, and you can switch back anytime you have a payment method from your original country.
- After changing countries, you may lose access to apps you purchased in your old region until you switch back.
- Some countries require additional verification, such as a local phone number or address, before Apple will accept your payment method.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you begin the process. You will need a valid payment method from the country you want to switch to — this can be a credit card, debit card, or prepaid card issued in that country. If you don't have a card, you can buy an Apple Gift Card from that country's App Store using an online retailer, though this requires the card to be purchased through a seller that ships to your location.
You will also need the billing address that matches your payment method. This address must be in the country you're switching to. If your card is from Germany, for example, your billing address must be a German address. Apple verifies this information, so use the exact address on your card statement.
Finally, have your Apple ID password ready. You'll need to sign in during the process, and Apple may ask you to re-authenticate for security reasons.
Steps to change your App Store country on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Tap Media & Purchases, then tap View Account. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID — do this now.
On the Account Settings page, tap Country/Region. A list of countries appears. Scroll and select the country you want to switch to, then tap Change Country or Region. Apple will show you a summary of what will happen — read this carefully, as it explains what you'll lose access to.
Tap Continue and you'll be taken to a payment method screen. This is where you enter your new payment information. Select your payment method type (credit card, debit card, or none if you're using only gift cards), then enter the card details and the billing address that matches your new country. Make sure the address is formatted exactly as it appears on your card statement.
After you enter your payment information, tap Save. Apple will process the change, which usually takes a few seconds. You'll see a confirmation message. Your App Store country has now changed, and you can download apps from that region's store.
Steps to change your App Store country on Mac
Open the App Store app and click your account icon in the bottom left corner (or top right on newer versions). Select Account Settings from the menu. You may need to sign in with your Apple ID.
In the Account Settings window, look for Country/Region and click the dropdown menu. Select your new country from the list. Click Change and Apple will show you a confirmation screen explaining what will happen.
Click Continue and enter your new payment method and billing address. Make sure the address matches your card exactly. Click Update and the change will take effect immediately.
What happens after you change your country
Your App Store immediately switches to the new region's catalog. Apps that were available in your old country may not be available in the new one, and vice versa. If you had purchased apps in your old region, you can still download them by switching your account back to that country temporarily — your purchase history stays with your Apple ID.
Subscriptions you had active in your old country will continue, but they will be billed using your new payment method. If you had a subscription to a service like Apple Music or Apple TV+, check your subscription settings to make sure the billing is working correctly in your new region.
Your iCloud storage, photos, and other data are not affected by changing your App Store country. Only your access to the app store itself changes.
Common problems and how to fix them
Apple rejected your payment method: This usually means the billing address doesn't match your card exactly, or Apple's fraud detection flagged the transaction. Try entering your address in a different format — for example, use the full country name instead of the country code. If that doesn't work, contact your bank to make sure they haven't blocked the transaction, then try again.
You see an error about your region: Some countries require additional verification before Apple will accept a payment method. You may need to provide a local phone number or wait 24 hours for Apple to verify your information. Try again after a day has passed.
You can't find your country in the list: Apple does not offer an App Store in every country. If your country is not listed, you may need to use a neighboring country's store or contact Apple Support to ask about alternatives.
You lost access to apps you paid for: This is normal. Switch your account back to your original country to download those apps again. Your purchases are tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific country, so you can access them anytime you switch regions.
Switching back to your original country
The process to switch back is identical to the process to switch forward. Go to your Account Settings, select Country/Region, choose your original country, and enter a payment method from that country. If you kept a card from your original country, use that. If not, you can buy an Apple Gift Card from your original country's store online and use that as your payment method.
You can switch your App Store country as many times as you want, but Apple may flag your account if you switch very frequently — more than once a week over several weeks. If this happens, you may be asked to wait a few days before switching again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a VPN to change my App Store country without changing my payment method?
No. Apple does not determine your country based on your location or VPN. It uses your payment method and billing address. Using a VPN will not let you access a different country's App Store without actually changing your payment information.
What if I don't have a credit card from the new country?
You can buy an Apple Gift Card from that country's store through an online retailer. Use the gift card as your payment method during the country change process. Some retailers sell digital gift cards that you receive instantly by email.
Will changing my App Store country affect my iCloud or Apple ID?
No. Your iCloud account, email, and all your data stay the same. Only your access to the app store changes. You can use the same Apple ID in multiple countries by switching your App Store region.
Can I have two App Store accounts for different countries at the same time?
Not with the same Apple ID. You can create a second Apple ID and set it to a different country, but each device can only have one primary account for purchasing apps. You can sign in with multiple accounts, but only one can make purchases at a time.
How long does it take for the country change to take effect?
The change is usually instant. You should see the new country's App Store immediately after you complete the process. If you don't, try signing out and back into your Apple ID, or restart your device.