Why you need to change your App Store country and what happens when you do

Your App Store account is tied to a specific country, and that country determines which apps you can download, what prices you see, and which payment methods the store accepts. If you move to a new country, get a new address, or want to download an app that's only available in another region, you'll need to change your account country. The process is straightforward but has real limits: you can't simply flip a switch. Instead, you change the country by updating the payment method and billing address associated with your account.

When you change your App Store country, your existing apps stay on your device, but you lose access to your previous country's app library immediately. You also can't switch back and forth freely—Apple requires you to wait before changing countries again, typically 90 days or longer depending on your account history. Any remaining balance in your previous country's App Store account stays there and doesn't transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing your App Store country requires updating your billing address and payment method to match a new country, not just selecting a country from a menu.
  • You must have a valid payment method from the new country—a credit card, debit card, or local payment option registered to an address in that country.
  • After you change countries, you cannot change again for at least 90 days, and some accounts face longer waiting periods.
  • Apps you downloaded in your previous country stay on your device, but you cannot update them or download new ones from that old library.
  • Any unused balance or store credit in your old account does not carry over to your new country account.

Steps to change your App Store country on iPhone or iPad

Open the App Store app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Tap your name, then tap "Media and Purchases." Tap "View Account" and then tap "Country/Region." You'll see your current country listed. Tap "Change Country or Region" to proceed.

The system will show you a list of countries and ask you to select a new one. Once you select a new country, Apple will ask you to enter a payment method and billing address for that country. This is the critical step: your payment method must be issued by a bank or payment provider in the new country, and your billing address must be a real address in that country. You cannot use a US credit card if you're trying to switch to a UK account, for example. After you enter valid information, tap "Update" and Apple will confirm the change.

The entire process takes a few minutes, but the change is immediate. Your App Store will refresh and show apps, prices, and payment options for your new country. You will not be able to access your old country's app library or download updates for apps that are region-locked.

What payment methods work for each country

The payment methods available depend on which country you're switching to. In the United States, you can use a US-issued credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay linked to a US bank account. In the United Kingdom, you can use a UK debit card, UK credit card, or a UK-issued payment method. Canada accepts Canadian credit and debit cards. Australia accepts Australian cards and PayPal in some cases.

Some countries have additional options. In India, you can use local payment methods like UPI or Google Pay. In Japan, you can use Japanese credit cards or carrier billing through mobile providers. The App Store will show you which payment methods are accepted for your chosen country before you finalize the change. If you don't have a valid payment method from the new country, you cannot complete the country change—you'll need to obtain one first.

If you're moving to a country and don't yet have a local bank account or payment card, you may need to wait until you do. Some people use a family member's card from the new country with permission, but Apple's terms require the cardholder to be the account holder or an authorized user. Using someone else's card without their knowledge or permission violates Apple's terms and can result in account suspension.

The 90-day waiting period and why it exists

After you change your App Store country, you cannot change it again for at least 90 days. Some accounts face longer waiting periods, particularly if there's been fraud or unusual activity on the account. Apple enforces this rule to prevent account takeovers and to reduce fraud, since changing countries quickly is a common tactic used by people trying to steal accounts or hide unauthorized purchases.

If you try to change your country before the waiting period ends, the App Store will show an error message stating that you cannot change your country at this time. The only exception is if Apple's support team manually overrides the restriction, which they do rarely and only in cases of genuine hardship—such as a sudden relocation for work or a family emergency. Contacting Apple Support does not may provide an override.

Plan your country change carefully. If you're moving and know you'll need a different App Store account, make the change as soon as you have a valid payment method from the new country. Do not change countries multiple times in a short period, as this can trigger fraud alerts and temporary account locks.

What happens to your apps, purchases, and account balance

Apps you've already downloaded remain on your device after you change countries. However, you cannot update them if they're no longer available in your new country's App Store. If an app is region-locked and unavailable in your new country, the App Store will show it as "unavailable" and you won't be able to update it. Over time, as developers release new versions, you may fall behind on updates for region-specific apps.

Any money you have left in your old country's App Store account—whether from a gift card, store credit, or a refund—does not transfer to your new country account. That balance stays in your old account indefinitely, but you cannot access it from your new country's App Store. If you have significant unused balance, you can spend it before changing countries by downloading apps or making in-app purchases in your old country's store. After you change countries, you lose access to that balance.

Purchases you made in your old country remain tied to your Apple ID, but you access them through your new country's App Store. If an app you purchased is available in both countries, you can re-download it in your new country without paying again. If it's only available in your old country, you cannot re-download it from your new country's store.

Changing your country on Mac, Apple TV, or other devices

The process is similar on Mac. Open the App Store, click your account name in the top right, select "Account Settings," and then click "Country/Region." Select "Change Country or Region," choose your new country, and enter a valid payment method and billing address for that country. The change applies to your entire Apple ID across all devices.

On Apple TV, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, choose your account, and then select Country/Region. The same 90-day waiting period applies regardless of which device you use to make the change. Changing your country on one device changes it for your entire Apple ID, so you don't need to change it separately on each device.

If you use multiple Apple IDs—one for each country—you can keep them separate and switch between them on your devices. However, you can only have one active App Store account per device at a time. To switch accounts, you sign out of one Apple ID and sign in with another.

Troubleshooting common problems when changing countries

If you see an error saying your payment method is invalid, the most common cause is that your billing address doesn't match the country you selected. Your address must be a real, current address in the new country. If you've just moved and your payment card is still registered to your old address, update the address with your bank first, then try again in the App Store. Some banks take 24 to 48 hours to update address information.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your country at this time, you're within the 90-day waiting period from your last country change. You must wait until the period expires. If you believe you should be able to change countries and the error persists, contact Apple Support through the App Store or through apple.com/support. Explain your situation clearly—a genuine relocation or a mistake in a previous change is more likely to result in an override than a request without context.

If your account is locked or suspended, you cannot change your country until the issue is resolved. Account locks typically happen after multiple failed payment attempts, suspicious activity, or a report of fraud. Contact Apple Support to unlock your account before attempting to change your country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a VPN to access my old country's App Store after changing countries?

No. Your App Store country is tied to your billing address and payment method, not your location. Using a VPN does not change your App Store country or give you access to a different country's app library. Apple's systems check your account information, not your IP address, to determine which country's store you access.

What if I don't have a credit card from the new country yet?

You cannot complete the country change without a valid payment method from the new country. Options include opening a bank account and getting a debit card, using a family member's card with their permission, or waiting until you have a local payment method. Some countries accept digital payment services like PayPal or Google Pay, which may be faster to set up than a traditional bank account.

Do my app subscriptions transfer to my new country account?

Subscriptions tied to your Apple ID continue to work after you change countries, but the price may change based on your new country's pricing. For example, a subscription that cost $10 USD may cost £8 GBP in the UK. You can cancel any subscription at any time through your account settings.

Can I change my App Store country back to my original country before 90 days?

No. The 90-day waiting period applies to any country change, including changing back to your previous country. You must wait the full period before making another change. If you need to change sooner due to an emergency, contact Apple Support, but overrides are rare.

What happens if I move to a country that Apple doesn't support?

Some countries do not have an official App Store presence. If you move to an unsupported country, you cannot change your App Store country to that location. You must choose a country where you have a valid payment method and billing address. Contact Apple Support if you're unsure whether your new country is supported.