How to Change Your iPhone App Store Region

Changing your App Store region switches the storefront used for apps and other digital content. Availability, subscriptions, and payment options can differ by region. Before you start, check that you can meet Apple’s requirements for the new storefront; changing the region is not a way to bypass payment or account restrictions.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone, signed in to the Apple Account you use for Media & Purchases.
A valid payment method and billing details accepted in the destination country or region, if Apple requests them. Available payment methods vary by region.
Time to deal with any account blockers, such as an active subscription or remaining store balance. You may need to wait for a subscription period to end.

Step-by-Step

Check your account first. Open Settings and tap your name. If you use different Apple Accounts for iCloud and Media & Purchases, confirm which account is signed in for purchases: tap your name, then Media & Purchases. The region change applies to that purchasing account.
Resolve subscriptions and pending items. Review subscriptions and cancel any that would prevent a region change. Cancellation may not take effect until the current subscription period ends. Also wait for rentals, pre-orders, memberships, or other pending transactions to finish, and request any pending store credit refund before proceeding if applicable.
Use up your store balance. Spend any remaining Apple Account balance. Apple may require a zero balance before allowing a change. If a small amount remains that you cannot spend, contact Apple Support rather than trying to bypass the requirement.
Open the country or region setting. In Settings, tap your name, then Media & Purchases, and tap View Account. You may be asked to sign in or authenticate. Tap Country/Region, then tap Change Country or Region. Menu names and their placement may differ slightly by iOS version.
Select the destination. Tap the country or region you are moving your App Store account to. Read the terms shown, then accept them if you agree. Selecting a region does not itself change your physical location or guarantee that every app will be available there.
Enter payment and billing information. Choose an offered payment method and enter the billing name and address that match the information required for that method in the selected region. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you do not have an accepted payment method, check Apple’s current options for that region before continuing; a “None” option may not be offered.
Finish and check the storefront. Tap Next or Done if shown and wait for the account update. Open the App Store and check your account or storefront. If the change has not taken effect, close and reopen the App Store, then check the Country/Region setting again. Avoid repeatedly submitting details that do not match.

Common Mistakes

Changing the wrong account: The App Store region is tied to the Apple Account used for Media & Purchases. Check that account, especially if iCloud is signed in with another one.
Leaving subscriptions active: A subscription can block the change even after you cancel it, until its paid period expires. Check the subscription’s status and end date.
Forgetting account balance: Even a small remaining balance can stop the process. Use it if possible, or ask Apple Support what to do with an unusable remainder.
Entering mismatched billing details: Use accurate details accepted for the payment method and destination region. Do not enter a made-up address to get through the form.
Expecting all apps and content to transfer: Availability and terms vary by region. An app you previously downloaded may not be offered in the new storefront, and some content may not be available to download again.

Tips

Check the destination region’s payment methods and storefront availability before you begin, using Apple’s official support information.
Keep access to the email address, phone number, and authentication method for your Apple Account while changing settings.
If you use Family Sharing, check whether your role or family group affects the change. You may need to leave the group or resolve the account setup before switching regions; review Apple’s guidance first.
Make a note of subscriptions and apps you rely on. Confirm they remain available in the destination storefront before changing regions.
Use the same Settings path to check the selected country or region later. The exact labels may differ slightly by iOS version.

Troubleshooting

Country/Region is missing or the change is blocked: Verify you are signed in to Media & Purchases, then check for active subscriptions, pending transactions, store balance, pre-orders, or a Family Sharing restriction. Resolve each item before trying again.

Your payment method is declined: Confirm that the method is accepted in the selected region and that the billing details match the provider’s records. If it still fails, contact the payment provider or Apple Support. Do not keep submitting incorrect details.

The new region does not appear in the App Store: Confirm the change completed in Settings. Close and reopen the App Store, check your internet connection, and restart the iPhone if needed. If the account setting shows the new region but the storefront remains unchanged, contact Apple Support.

You cannot download a previous purchase: The item may not be offered in the new region, or it may have been removed. Check the item’s availability in the current storefront. Changing back may require resolving the same account requirements again.

You see an unfamiliar account or security prompt: Stop if you do not recognize the account or cannot verify the request. Use Apple’s official account recovery or support process rather than sharing verification codes with anyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my App Store region delete my apps?

It does not generally remove apps already installed on your iPhone. However, apps and content may not be available to update, redownload, or purchase in the new region.

Do I need a payment method from the new country?

Apple may require a payment method accepted in the destination region, along with matching billing details. The options shown depend on the region and your account; check Apple’s current payment guidance.

Can I change region while I have a subscription?

Often you must cancel subscriptions that block the change and wait until their current periods end. Check the subscription status in your account before trying.

What happens to my Apple Account balance?

You may need to spend the balance before switching. If you cannot use the remaining amount, contact Apple Support for help rather than attempting to bypass the balance requirement.

Can I switch back later?

You can change the country or region again, but you may have to meet the account requirements again, including resolving subscriptions, balance, and payment details.

Does this change my iPhone’s language or physical location?

No. It changes the storefront associated with the purchasing account. Language and device location settings are separate.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.