Why you might need to change your App Store country

Your App Store country is set to wherever you created your account or where your payment method is registered. If you move to a different country, want to read an app that's only available in another region, or need to use a local payment method, you'll need to change it. The process is straightforward but has real limits — you can't just switch back and forth whenever you want, and some apps won't work across country boundaries.

Apple and Google lock apps to specific regions for legal reasons. A game available in Japan might not have the right licenses to sell in the United States. A banking app built for UK customers won't work if you're in Canada. Changing your country tells the store where you actually are (or where you want to be), so it shows you the right apps and takes the right payment method.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your App Store country through your account settings, but you need a valid payment method registered to that country first.
  • Apple requires you to wait 12 months before switching countries again, while Google has no waiting period but may flag frequent changes.
  • Apps you downloaded in one country may stop working or updating if you switch to another country's store.
  • You don't need a VPN or any workaround — the official method is the only one that works reliably without risking your account.

How to change your country on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Go to Media & Purchases, then tap View Account. You'll see your current country listed under Account Information. Tap Country/Region to change it.

The store will ask you to choose a new country and agree to its terms. Before you confirm, make sure you have a valid payment method for that country — a credit card, debit card, or local payment option like a gift card. If you don't, add one first. Once you confirm the change, your account is locked to that country for the next 12 months. You cannot change it again until that year is up, even if you move back.

How to change your country on Android

Open Google Play Store and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Go to Settings, then General, then Account and device preferences. Tap Country and profiles and select your new country from the list.

Google doesn't enforce a 12-month lock like Apple does, but the company does monitor for suspicious patterns. If you change countries too often or use a VPN to access a store you're not registered in, Google may temporarily restrict your account. The safest approach is to change once and leave it, or change only when you've actually moved.

What happens to apps you already own

Apps you downloaded before the switch will usually keep working, but they won't update. If an app needs a security patch or a bug fix, you won't be able to install it because the new country's store doesn't carry it. Some apps — particularly banking apps, streaming services, and games with regional licensing — may stop working entirely once you change countries, even if you already own them.

Before you switch, check whether the apps you use most are available in the new country's store. Search for them in that store's app list while you're still on your old account, or ask in online communities focused on that country. If critical apps won't be available, you may need to keep a second device on your old account or find alternatives.

Payment methods you'll need

The store requires a valid payment method registered to your new country. A credit card or debit card works if it's issued by a bank in that country. Some countries also accept local payment methods — Japan accepts au Pay and Rakuten Pay, India accepts UPI, Brazil accepts Boleto. Gift cards from that country's store also work.

If you don't have a local payment method yet, you have a few options. You can ask a friend or family member in that country to buy you a gift card and send you the code. You can use a service that sells digital gift cards for other countries, though these often charge a markup. Or you can wait until you have a local bank account or payment method set up. Until then, you can't complete the country change.

The 12-month lock on Apple accounts

Once you change your country on an Apple account, you're locked in for a full year. This is Apple's policy, and there are no exceptions. If you move back to your original country after three months, you still have to wait nine more months before you can switch again. If you change by mistake, you're stuck with that choice for 12 months.

This lock exists because Apple wants to prevent fraud and account abuse. People used to switch countries rapidly to access different app stores or to buy apps at lower prices. The 12-month rule makes that impractical. Before you change, triple-check that you're choosing the right country and that you have a valid payment method for it.

What not to do: VPNs and workarounds

You might read online that you can use a VPN to access another country's app store without changing your account. This doesn't work reliably, and it violates the store's terms of service. If Apple or Google detects VPN use, they may restrict your account, require you to verify your identity, or lock you out temporarily.

The official country-change process exists for a reason — it's the only method that's actually supported. It takes five minutes, it's free, and it doesn't put your account at risk. Any shortcut you find online either doesn't work or will cause problems later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a VPN to read apps from another country's store?

Technically you might access the store, but the payment will fail, and you risk your account being restricted. The app store's terms forbid VPN use specifically to bypass regional restrictions. Use the official country-change process instead — it's designed for exactly this situation.

What if I move countries but want to keep my old country's apps?

Apps you already own will usually keep working, but they won't update. If an app stops working or you need a critical update, you'll have to find an alternative in your new country's store. Before you switch, read any apps you might not find elsewhere and check that your most-used apps are available in the new store.

Can I change my country more than once?

On Apple, no — you must wait 12 months between changes. On Google, you can change more often, but frequent changes may trigger account restrictions. If you genuinely move countries, change once and stay. If you're switching for other reasons, reconsider whether it's worth the risk.

Do I lose my apps if I change countries?

Apps you own stay on your device, but some may stop working or updating. Regional apps like banking or streaming services are most likely to break. Check your most-used apps in the new country's store before you switch, so you know what will and won't work.

What if I don't have a payment method for the new country yet?

You can't complete the country change without one. Ask someone in that country to buy you a gift card, or wait until you have a local bank account or payment method set up. Once you have a valid payment method, the change takes just a few minutes.