How to change your App Store region
To change your App Store region, you need to change the country or region setting in your Apple ID account. Open Settings (or System Preferences on Mac), go to your Apple ID profile, select "Media & Purchases," then tap "Country/Region" and choose a new location. You'll need a valid payment method from that region, and Apple may require you to update your billing address to match.
The process takes about five minutes, but there are a few things to know before you start. Your App Store will switch immediately, which means you'll see different apps and prices. Any apps you've already downloaded stay on your device, but you won't receive updates for them until you switch back to your original region or find them in the new region's store.
Key Takeaways
- Changing your App Store region requires updating your Apple ID country setting, not your device's location setting.
- You must have a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or local payment option) from the new region before you can complete the change.
- Apps you've already downloaded will remain on your device, but they may not receive updates if they're not available in your new region's store.
- You can change your region as often as you want, but Apple may flag frequent changes as suspicious activity and temporarily lock your account.
Step-by-step process on iPhone and iPad
Start by opening the Settings app and tapping your name at the top. Select "Media & Purchases," then tap "Country/Region." A list of countries and regions appears — scroll through and select the one you want. Tap "Change Country or Region" to confirm.
Apple will ask you to review and accept the terms and conditions for that region. Read through them, then tap "Agree" at the bottom. Next, you'll need to add a payment method. Enter a valid credit card, debit card, or local payment option associated with an address in the new region. If you don't have one, you can skip this step temporarily, but you won't be able to download paid apps or make in-app purchases until you add one.
Once you've entered your payment information and confirmed your billing address, tap "Done." Your App Store region changes immediately, and you'll see the new region's apps, prices, and content the next time you open the App Store app.
Changing your region on Mac
On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura and later) and click your Apple ID profile in the sidebar. Select "Media & Purchases" and click "Country/Region." Choose your new region from the dropdown menu and click "Change."
You'll go through the same process as on iPhone: accept the terms, add a payment method from the new region, and confirm your billing address. Once complete, your Mac's App Store switches to the new region. If you use the same Apple ID on multiple devices, all of them will see the new region's store.
What happens to apps you already own
Apps you've already downloaded stay on your device and continue to work after you change regions. However, they may not receive updates if the app isn't available in your new region's store. You'll see a notification in the App Store saying the app is "not available in your region," and the update button won't appear.
To keep receiving updates, you have two options: switch back to your original region temporarily to update the app, or look for the same app in your new region's store (it may have a different name or developer). Some apps are region-locked and won't appear in certain stores at all, so you may need to uninstall and reinstall them when you switch regions.
Payment methods and billing address requirements
Apple requires a valid payment method from the region you're switching to. This means a credit card, debit card, or local payment option with a billing address in that country. If you don't have a card from the new region, you can use a virtual card service that supports that region, or ask a friend or family member in that region to help you set up a payment method.
Your billing address must match the region you're switching to. If you enter a US address but try to switch to the UK store, Apple will reject the change. Make sure your address, postal code, and phone number are all correct for the new region before you confirm.
Why Apple might lock your account
If you change your region too frequently — typically more than once every few weeks — Apple may flag your account for suspicious activity and temporarily prevent you from making changes. This is a security measure to prevent fraud. If this happens, you'll see a message saying you can't change your region right now, and you'll need to wait a few days before trying again.
To avoid this, space out your region changes and don't switch back and forth between regions multiple times in a single day. If your account does get locked, contact Apple Support and explain why you're changing regions. They can sometimes unlock your account faster if you have a legitimate reason.
Switching back to your original region
To switch back, follow the same steps: go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Country/Region, select your original region, and confirm. You'll need a valid payment method from your original region again. If you've moved and no longer have an address there, you can use a previous address you had in that region, though Apple may ask for verification.
If you're having trouble switching back because you don't have a current payment method, contact Apple Support. They can help you restore access to your original region's store without requiring a new payment method, though the process may take a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a VPN to change my App Store region?
No. Apple checks your actual location and payment method, not just your IP address. Using a VPN won't let you access a different region's store, and attempting to do so may trigger Apple's fraud detection and lock your account temporarily.
Will my apps stop working if I change regions?
No. Apps you've already downloaded will continue to work on your device. You may not receive updates for them, but the apps themselves won't disappear or become unusable just because you switched regions.
Can I have multiple App Store regions on the same device?
No. Your device can only be signed into one App Store region at a time. If you need access to apps from multiple regions, you'll need to switch your region each time, or create a separate Apple ID for each region and sign in with different accounts on the same device.
What if I don't have a payment method from the new region?
You can skip adding a payment method during the region change process, but you won't be able to download paid apps or make in-app purchases until you add one. Some regions also offer gift cards that you can use instead of a credit card — check if that's an option in your new region.
How long does it take for the App Store to update after I change regions?
The change is usually instant, but it may take a few minutes for the App Store app to refresh and show the new region's content. If you don't see the new region's apps right away, close and reopen the App Store app.