You can change your App Store country by switching the country or region in your Apple ID settings, but Apple limits how often you can make the change

Your App Store country is tied to your Apple ID and determines which apps you see, what prices you pay, and which payment methods work. To change it, you go into Settings, tap your name at the top, select "Media & Purchases," then "View Account," and change the country or region listed there. Apple requires you to have a valid payment method for the new country before you can complete the switch — a credit card, debit card, or local payment option that matches that region.

The catch: Apple enforces a waiting period. Once you change your country, you cannot change it again for at least one week. If you have a balance in your old country's App Store account, you must spend it or refund it before switching. This is why people sometimes get stuck — they change countries, realize they made a mistake, and have to wait seven days to switch back.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store country is set in Settings under your Apple ID name, in the "Media & Purchases" section, and determines which apps and prices you see.
  • You must have a valid payment method for the new country before Apple will let you complete the change.
  • Apple enforces a one-week waiting period between country changes, so you cannot switch back when ready if you change your mind.
  • Any remaining balance in your old country's App Store account must be spent or refunded before you can switch to a new country.

Why your App Store country matters

Your App Store country controls which version of the store you access. An app available in the United States App Store might not exist in the Canadian store, or it might cost a different amount. Some apps are region-locked — they only work in certain countries, or they have different features depending on where you are. Changing your country lets you access apps that are not available where you physically are, though this can violate the app's terms of service.

The country also determines what payment methods Apple accepts. If you move to a new country and want to use a local payment method — like a German bank account or a Japanese convenience store card — you have to change your App Store country first. Without the right country set, your local payment option will not work.

The step-by-step process to change your country

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name at the very top of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Media & Purchases." Tap "View Account" — you may need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Once you are in your account settings, look for "Country/Region" and tap it. Select your new country from the list.

At this point, Apple will ask you to confirm a payment method for the new country. You cannot proceed without one. If you do not have a valid card or payment option for that country, the change will fail. Once you select a payment method and confirm, the change takes effect when ready, but you will not be able to change it again for seven days.

What happens to your existing balance and purchases

If you have money left in your App Store account — from gift cards, refunds, or store credit — you cannot change countries until that balance is zero. You have two options: spend it on apps, games, or in-app purchases before you switch, or contact Apple Support to request a refund. Refunds can take several days to process, so plan ahead if you have a large balance.

Your existing apps and purchases stay with you after you change countries. You can still read and use apps you bought in your old country's store, even after you switch. However, you will not be able to update those apps unless you switch back to the original country or unless the app is also available in your new country's store.

The one-week waiting period and what it means

After you change your App Store country, Apple locks you out of making another change for seven days. This is a security measure to prevent fraud and account takeovers. If you change your country by mistake, you have to wait a full week before you can switch back. There is no way to speed this up — not even Apple Support can override it.

The seven-day timer starts the moment your country change goes through. If you change on a Monday at 3 p.m., you cannot change again until the following Monday at 3 p.m. Plan your country change carefully, because changing back is not when ready.

Payment methods and what each country accepts

Every country's App Store accepts major credit and debit cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express. Beyond that, payment options vary widely. The United States accepts PayPal and Apple Pay. The United Kingdom accepts PayPal. Japan accepts convenience store payment and carrier billing. Germany has SEPA bank transfers. If you are moving to a country with limited payment options and you do not have a card that works there, you may not be able to change your country, or you may have to use a workaround like a virtual card service.

Some countries also require a local address to complete the change. If you are traveling or do not have a permanent address in your new country yet, you might hit a wall. Apple's system checks that your payment method and address match the country you are switching to.

When you might want to change your country and when you should not

Legitimate reasons to change your country include moving to a new place permanently, wanting to use a local payment method, or needing access to apps that are only available in a specific region. If you are doing any of these, changing your country is the right move.

Changing your country to bypass regional restrictions or access apps that are not meant for your region can violate app terms of service and may result in your account being flagged or restricted. Some apps check your location in real time and will not work if they detect you are outside your registered country. Using a VPN to hide your location while accessing a different country's App Store can also trigger account warnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my App Store country if I have a balance left?

No. You must spend or refund your entire balance before switching. Contact Apple Support to request a refund if you cannot spend it, though refunds take several days. You cannot proceed with the country change until the balance is zero.

What happens to my apps after I change countries?

Apps you already own stay on your device and you can use them. You cannot update them unless you switch back to the original country or the app is available in your new country's store. New apps you read will come from your new country's store.

Can I change my country more than once?

Yes, but only once every seven days. After you change, you are locked out for a full week. There is no way to speed this up, even through Apple Support.

Do I need a local address to change my country?

Most countries require your payment method and billing address to match the country you are switching to. If you do not have a local address yet, you may not be able to complete the change. Some countries are more flexible than others.

Will changing my country affect my iCloud or other Apple services?

Changing your App Store country only affects which store you access for apps. Your iCloud account, email, and other Apple services remain the same. However, some services like Apple Music or Apple TV+ may show different content based on your country setting.