How to change your App Store country

You change your App Store country by updating the country or region setting in your account. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select "Country/Region", and choose a new location. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Country and regions", and pick a different country. The change takes effect immediately, but you may need to sign out and back in to see the new store.

The process is straightforward, but there are real limits to what you can do. You cannot simply flip between countries whenever you want — most payment methods are tied to your current country, and switching too often can lock your account temporarily. You also cannot use a payment method from one country to buy apps in another country's store. Understanding these constraints before you switch saves frustration.

Key Takeaways

  • Your payment method must match the country you are switching to, or you will not be able to buy apps in that store.
  • Apple and Google both allow you to change countries, but frequent switching can trigger a temporary lock on your account.
  • Apps you bought in one country's store may not appear in another country's store, even after you switch.
  • Some apps are region-locked and simply do not exist in certain countries' stores, regardless of your account location.

Why your country setting matters

Your App Store country determines which apps you see, which prices you pay, and which payment methods you can use. A game available in the US store might not appear in the UK store. A subscription that costs $9.99 in the United States might cost £7.99 in the United Kingdom. These differences exist because app developers set their own pricing and availability by region, and payment processors have different rules in different countries.

Your country setting also controls which payment methods the store will accept. If you switch to a country where you do not have a local bank account or payment card, you will not be able to buy anything until you add a valid payment method for that region. This is why changing countries is not a workaround to access cheaper apps — you need a real payment method in the country you are switching to.

Changing your country on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the very top of the screen. Select "Country/Region". You will see your current country listed. Tap it, and a list of available countries appears. Choose the country you want to switch to and confirm. The change is instant, but you may need to close and reopen the App Store app to see the new store.

Before you switch, make sure you have a valid payment method for the new country. If you do not, add one now. Go back to Settings, tap your name, select "Payment & Shipping", and add a credit card, debit card, or local payment method that is registered to an address in your new country. Without this, you will not be able to download paid apps or renew subscriptions.

Changing your country on Android

Open Google Play and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings", then "General", then "Country and regions". Tap the country that is currently listed and choose a new one from the list. The change takes effect right away, though the Play Store may take a few minutes to refresh and show you the new region's apps and prices.

Like Apple, Google requires a valid payment method in your new country before you can buy anything. Go to Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and subscriptions", then "Payment methods", and add a card or local payment option registered to your new country. If you try to buy an app without a valid payment method, the purchase will fail.

What happens to apps you already own

Apps you have already downloaded stay on your device after you change countries. You can keep using them and updating them. However, if an app is no longer available in your new country's store, you will not be able to reinstall it if you delete it. The app simply will not appear in search results or your purchase history in the new store.

Subscriptions you are paying for will continue to renew using your new country's payment method, but the price may change. If you were paying $9.99 per month in the US and switch to the UK, your subscription might renew at £7.99 per month instead. Check your subscription settings after switching to see the new price and make sure you are comfortable with it.

Why you cannot switch countries constantly

Apple and Google both monitor how often you change your country setting. If you switch more than once every few weeks, or if you switch back and forth between countries repeatedly, your account may be temporarily locked. When this happens, you will see a message saying you cannot change your country again for a set period — usually 12 months from your last change, though this varies.

This lock exists to prevent fraud and account abuse. Scammers sometimes use rapid country switching to hide their location or exploit regional pricing differences. Even if you have a legitimate reason to switch — you moved to a new country, or you are traveling — the system cannot tell the difference. If your account gets locked, you have to wait out the restriction period before you can switch again.

When you cannot change countries at all

Some accounts cannot change countries because of outstanding balances or payment disputes. If you have unpaid charges, a declined payment, or a chargeback on your account, both Apple and Google will block country changes until the issue is resolved. Check your payment history and make sure all charges have gone through successfully before you try to switch.

You also cannot change countries if you have a family sharing plan active. The organizer of the family group can change the country, but other members cannot. If you are part of a family plan and need to switch countries, ask the organizer to do it, or leave the family group first and set up your own account in the new country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a VPN to access a different country's App Store?

A VPN will not work because the App Store checks your actual payment method and account location, not just your IP address. Even if your VPN makes it look like you are in another country, the store will still show your real country based on your payment information. Trying to bypass regional restrictions this way violates the terms of service and can get your account suspended.

What if I move to a new country permanently?

Update your country setting as soon as you can, and make sure you have a valid payment method registered to your new address. You will need a local bank account, credit card, or payment service in your new country. Once you switch, you are locked into that country for 12 months, so make sure it is the right choice before you change.

Will my apps be more expensive in a different country?

Prices vary by country, and they are not always cheaper elsewhere. Some countries have lower prices, others higher. The only way to know is to check the price in the store you are thinking of switching to. Remember that you need a valid payment method in that country, so the savings have to be worth the effort of switching.

Can I have accounts in multiple countries at the same time?

You can create separate accounts for different countries, but you can only be signed into one account per device at a time. Each account has its own purchase history and payment method. If you want to switch between accounts, you have to sign out of one and sign into the other, which takes a few minutes.

What happens if my payment method expires after I change countries?

Your subscriptions will fail to renew, and you will not be able to buy new apps until you add a new payment method. The store will send you a notification when a payment fails. Update your payment information right away to keep your subscriptions active and restore your ability to buy apps.