Changing your App Store region requires a new Apple ID in that region or changing the country on your existing account

Your App Store region is tied to the country you selected when you created your Apple ID or the country currently set on your account. To read apps only available in another country, or to see prices in a different currency, you need to change this setting. The process differs depending on whether you want to switch to a completely different Apple ID or update the country on your current one.

Apple does not let you change regions frequently — you must wait 30 days after changing before switching again. This is a built-in limit, not something you can bypass. If you change regions, your existing apps stay on your device, but you cannot update them until you switch back to the original region.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your App Store region by updating the country setting on your existing Apple ID, but you must wait 30 days before changing it again.
  • Changing regions requires a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or local payment option) registered to an address in that country.
  • Apps you downloaded in one region stay on your device after you switch regions, but you cannot update them until you switch back.
  • Creating a separate Apple ID for a different region is faster than waiting 30 days, and lets you keep both regions active at the same time.

How to change the country on your current Apple ID

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then select Media & Purchases. Tap View Account, then Country/Region. Tap Change Country or Region and select the new country from the list. You will need to accept the terms and conditions for that region and add a valid payment method for that country.

On Mac, open the App Store app, click your account icon in the top right corner, select Account Settings, then click Country/Region under your name. Click Change, pick the new country, and follow the same steps to add a payment method and accept terms.

The payment method must be registered to an address in the country you are switching to. If you do not have a local card, some regions accept PayPal or other payment options — the available methods depend on which country you select. After you complete the change, your App Store will show apps and prices for that region when ready.

What happens to your apps when you change regions

Apps you already downloaded stay on your device and continue to work. However, you cannot update them while you are in a different region than the one where you downloaded them. If an app needs an update and you are in a new region, you will see the update button greyed out or receive a message that the app is not available in your current region.

To update apps from your old region, you must switch back to that region in your App Store settings. This is why many people keep a second Apple ID for a different region instead of switching their main account — it avoids the update problem entirely.

Creating a separate Apple ID for a different region

If you want to access two regions at the same time without waiting 30 days or losing the ability to update apps, create a new Apple ID for the second region. Go to appleid.apple.com on a computer or phone, click Create your Apple ID, and enter an email address you do not already use with Apple. During setup, select the country you want for this new account.

Once the new ID is created, sign out of your main Apple ID on your device and sign in with the new one. You can then read apps from that region. To switch back to your original region, sign out and sign in with your main Apple ID again. You can keep both IDs on the same device and switch between them in Settings.

The downside is that apps purchased with one ID do not transfer to the other. If you buy an app with your US Apple ID, you cannot use it on your UK Apple ID — you would need to buy it again. However, free apps work on any ID on the same device.

Payment methods and regional restrictions

Each region has different payment options. The United States accepts credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Gift Cards. The United Kingdom accepts the same plus PayPal. Some regions in Asia or the Middle East may only accept local payment methods or prepaid cards specific to that country.

If you do not have a valid payment method for the region you want to switch to, you cannot complete the change. Some people use gift cards from that region as a workaround — you can add a gift card balance to your account without a credit card, though you will eventually need a payment method on file to read paid apps or make in-app purchases.

The 30-day waiting period explained

Apple enforces a 30-day lock after you change your country or region. This means if you switch from the United States to Canada today, you cannot switch to the United Kingdom until 30 days have passed. The timer starts the moment you complete the change, not when you start the process.

This limit exists to prevent fraud and account abuse. If you need to access a different region urgently, your only option is to create a second Apple ID for that region, since the waiting period applies only to changes on the same account.

Troubleshooting common region-change problems

If you see an error message that says your payment method was declined, the card may not be registered to an address in the country you selected. Contact your bank to confirm the address on file matches the country, or try a different payment method accepted in that region.

If the country you want does not appear in the list, it may not be available for App Store access. Some countries do not have an official App Store presence. In that case, you cannot change your region to that country through official Apple channels.

If you changed regions but still see apps from your old region, try signing out of your Apple ID completely, waiting a few minutes, and signing back in. Sometimes the App Store takes time to refresh after a region change. Restart your device if the issue persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use apps I bought in one region after I change to a different region?

Apps you downloaded stay on your device and work, but you cannot update them in a different region. You must switch back to the original region to get updates. Free apps have no restrictions and work in any region.

What if I do not have a credit card for the country I want to switch to?

Some regions accept PayPal, local debit cards, or prepaid gift cards. Check what payment methods are available for that specific country during the region-change process. If none are available, you cannot complete the switch on that account.

How long does it take for the App Store to show the new region after I change it?

The change is usually when ready, and you should see apps and prices for the new region when ready. If the old region still appears after a few minutes, try signing out and back in, or restart your device.

Can I switch regions more than once a year?

Yes, but you must wait 30 days between each change. If you need to access multiple regions frequently, creating separate Apple IDs for each region is faster and avoids the waiting period.

Do I lose my iCloud data if I change my App Store region?

No. Your App Store region and iCloud account are separate. Changing your App Store region does not affect your photos, contacts, email, or other iCloud data.