You change your App Store location by switching the country or region in your account settings, but the process and consequences differ between Apple and Google

On iPhone, you go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases, tap your country, and select a new one. On Android, you open Google Play, tap your profile icon, go to Settings > General > Account and device preferences, and change your country there. Both require a valid payment method registered to that country — a credit card, debit card, or local gift card. Once you change it, your app library, subscriptions, and pricing all shift to match that region.

The reason people change locations is usually to access apps not available in their current country, or to pay in a different currency. Some apps are restricted by region for licensing reasons — a streaming service might only sell in certain countries, or a game might be blocked in specific places. Changing your location tricks the store into thinking you are in that region, which lets you read region-locked apps.

But there are real costs to doing this. You cannot switch back and forth freely — both Apple and Google limit how often you can change regions, usually to once per year or once every few months. Your existing apps may stop working if they detect a mismatch between your location and your device location. Subscriptions renew in the new currency at the new price, which might be higher or lower. And if you buy an app in one region and then switch, you may lose access to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing your App Store location requires a valid payment method from that country and takes effect when ready across all your apps and subscriptions.
  • Both Apple and Google restrict how often you can change regions — typically once every few months to once per year — so switching back is not quick or straightforward.
  • Apps you buy in one region may not work or may disappear from your library if you switch to a different region.
  • Subscriptions renew in the new region's currency and price, so a monthly service might cost more or less depending on where you switch to.
  • Some apps are region-locked for legal or licensing reasons and straightforward cannot be downloaded from certain countries, no matter what you do.

How to change your location on iPhone

Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Select Media & Purchases, then tap your country name. A list of countries appears — scroll and select the one you want. You will be asked to confirm and to enter a valid payment method for that country. If you do not have one, you can add a credit card, debit card, or redeem a gift card from that region. Once confirmed, the change takes effect when ready.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your region yet, it means you changed it recently and Apple is enforcing its cooldown period. You will have to wait — the exact length varies, but it is usually at least a few weeks. You also cannot change your region if you have an active subscription or an unpaid balance on your account, so check your Billing section first.

How to change your location on Android

Open Google Play and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Go to Settings, then General, then Account and device preferences. Tap Country and region and select a new one from the list. Like Apple, Google requires a valid payment method from that country. You can add a credit or debit card, or use Google Play balance if you have a gift card from that region.

Google's cooldown period is typically longer than Apple's — you may not be able to switch again for several months. You also cannot change your region if you have an active Google Play Pass subscription or an outstanding balance. Some accounts are restricted from changing regions at all if Google detects unusual activity, so if you get an error, contact Google Play support to ask why.

What happens to your apps and subscriptions

When you change regions, apps you bought in the old region stay in your library, but they may not update or may stop working if the developer has region restrictions. Subscriptions renew in the new currency at the new regional price — if you were paying $9.99 USD for a service, it might become €9.99 EUR or £8.99 GBP, which could be more or less money depending on exchange rates. Some subscriptions may be unavailable in your new region and will cancel automatically.

Apps that are region-locked will disappear from your library or become undownloadable once you switch. This happens because the developer or publisher has restricted the app to certain countries for legal, licensing, or business reasons. You cannot re-read them even if you switch back to your original region, unless you wait out the cooldown period and actually move your account back.

Why apps are restricted to certain regions

Developers and publishers restrict apps by region for several reasons. Streaming services like Netflix or Spotify have licensing agreements that only cover specific countries — they cannot legally sell in places where they do not have rights to the content. Games are sometimes blocked in countries with strict regulations on gambling mechanics or violence. Some apps require a local phone number or address to work properly, so they block regions where the developer cannot provide support.

Payment processing also plays a role. A developer might not have set up payment processing in your country, or the fees might be too high to make it worthwhile. Regional pricing is another factor — a developer might charge different prices in different regions based on local purchasing power, and they enforce this by blocking access from other regions.

Risks and limitations of changing your location

The biggest risk is losing access to apps you paid for. If you buy an app in the US App Store and then switch to the UK, that app may disappear from your library or stop updating. You cannot re-read it from the UK store, and you cannot switch back when ready to get it again because of the cooldown period. Some developers handle this better than others — major publishers usually keep apps available across regions, but smaller developers often do not.

Another risk is that your device location and your App Store location can get out of sync. Some apps check both and will refuse to work if they do not match. A banking app, for example, might block you if your App Store is set to a different country than your device location. This is a security measure, but it means you cannot just change your store location and expect everything to work normally.

Changing regions also affects your payment method. If you add a credit card from another country, that card will be charged in that country's currency. If you do not have a card from that region, you have to buy a gift card, which means you cannot use your existing payment method. Some regions also have different tax rules, so the final price you pay may include taxes that were not there before.

Alternatives to changing your location

If you need an app that is not available in your region, you have other options besides changing your store location. You can ask the developer directly whether they plan to release in your country — some developers are willing to add regions if they get enough requests. You can look for alternative apps that do the same thing and are available in your region. For streaming services, you can sometimes use a VPN, though this violates the terms of service and the service may block you if detected.

If you need to access content from another country, some services offer web versions that work from anywhere, or they have apps available on other platforms like smart TVs or computers that are not region-locked. For games, you can sometimes buy physical copies or use a different gaming platform. The safest approach is to keep your App Store in your actual region and find region-available alternatives, rather than risk losing access to apps you depend on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my App Store location if I am traveling?

Technically yes, but it is not a good idea. Changing your location is meant to be permanent, and both Apple and Google enforce long cooldown periods. If you change it for a trip and then change it back, you will hit the cooldown limit and be stuck in the wrong region for months. Use a VPN or access the web version of services instead.

What happens to my gift cards if I change regions?

Gift cards are region-specific and cannot be used across regions. If you have a US gift card and switch to the UK, you cannot use it. You will need to buy a UK gift card for your new region. Unused balance from your old region is typically lost, so spend it before you switch.

Can I have multiple App Store accounts in different regions?

Yes. You can create separate Apple IDs or Google accounts for different regions and switch between them on your device. This is the safest way to access apps from multiple regions without losing access to your main library. Each account has its own region, payment method, and app library.

Will my apps work if my device location does not match my App Store location?

Most apps will work fine, but some will not. Banking apps, payment services, and location-dependent apps often check both your device location and your store location. If they do not match, the app may refuse to work or may show limited features. This is a security measure to prevent fraud.

How long do I have to wait before changing my App Store location again?

Apple typically allows one change per year, though the exact period can vary. Google is usually stricter and may require several months between changes. If you try to change too soon, you will see a message telling you when you can change next. There is no way to speed this up.