You need to change your payment method country first, then update your App Store region

The App Store ties your account to a specific country based on your payment method — usually a credit card or bank account. To change the country your App Store account operates in, you change the country associated with that payment method. Apple does not let you straightforward flip a switch; the process requires updating your billing address and payment details to match a new country, then confirming the change through the App Store settings.

The timing matters. Once you change your country, you cannot change it again for at least one year. Your existing apps stay on your device, but you can only buy new apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases from the App Store version of the country you switched to. Any balance in your Apple account (from gift cards or store credit) may not transfer, and some apps available in one country are not available in another.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store country is determined by the country listed on your payment method — usually your bank account or credit card billing address.
  • Changing your App Store country requires updating your payment method details in your Apple ID settings, not just changing a region preference.
  • You must wait one full year before changing your App Store country again, so confirm the new country is correct before you submit the change.
  • Apps, subscriptions, and pricing differ between App Store regions, and existing store credit may not carry over when you switch countries.

Step-by-step: updating your payment method country

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your name at the top, then select Payment & Shipping. You will see your current payment method listed — usually a credit card or debit card. Tap Edit next to the payment method you want to change.

Update the billing address to an address in the country you want to switch to. The address must be a real, current address — Apple verifies it against your bank records. If you are moving to a new country, use your new address. If you do not have a local address yet, you may need to wait until you do, or use a temporary address like a hotel or a friend's address in that country.

Save the changes. Apple may ask you to confirm your identity or re-enter your payment details. Once the billing address is updated, go back to Payment & Shipping and check that the country now shows the new location. The change usually takes effect within a few minutes, but can take up to 24 hours.

What happens to your existing apps and subscriptions

Apps you have already downloaded stay on your device and continue to work. You can still update them through the App Store, even though your account is now in a different country. However, you cannot re-read an app from the new country's App Store if it was not available there when you originally bought it.

Active subscriptions (like Apple Music, iCloud+, or app subscriptions) continue to renew, but they renew using the pricing and terms of your new country. A subscription that cost $10.99 USD might cost £9.99 GBP in the UK, for example. You will see the new price on your next billing date.

Store credit or gift card balances do not automatically convert. If you had $50 in Apple account credit in the US App Store and switch to the UK, that credit does not move to your UK account. Spend any remaining balance before you change your country, or contact Apple Support to ask about the balance — they may be able to help in some cases.

Why you cannot change countries frequently

Apple enforces a one-year waiting period between country changes to prevent fraud and account abuse. Once you change your App Store country, you are locked into that country for 12 months. If you change your mind a week later, you cannot switch back until a full year has passed.

This restriction exists because changing countries can be used to exploit regional pricing differences or to hide fraudulent purchases. It also protects Apple's relationships with app developers and publishers, who have different agreements in different regions.

Before you change your country, make sure it is the right decision. Check which apps and services are available in the new country, confirm that subscriptions you rely on will work there, and verify that you have a valid payment method with a billing address in that country.

Changing your country on a Mac or through iCloud.com

If you use a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your Apple ID at the top left, then select Payment & Shipping. The process is identical to iPhone: edit your payment method, update the billing address, and save.

You can also change your country through iCloud.com. Sign in to your Apple ID account, go to Payment & Shipping, and edit your payment method the same way. The change syncs across all your devices within a few minutes.

What to do if you cannot change your country

If the App Store will not let you change your country, the most common reason is that you have an outstanding balance on your account — an unpaid charge or a failed payment. Go to Payment & Shipping and look for any alerts or pending charges. Resolve any outstanding balance first, then try updating your payment method again.

Another reason the change might fail is that your new payment method does not match the billing address you entered. Your bank's records must show the same address you provided to Apple. If you recently moved, contact your bank to confirm your address is updated in their system, then try again.

If you still cannot change your country, contact Apple Support through the Apple ID website or the Settings app. They can see what is blocking the change and may be able to help you resolve it, or they can manually update your country in some cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a VPN to change my App Store country without changing my payment method?

No. Apple ties your App Store country to your payment method's billing address, not your location. Using a VPN does not change your account country. The only way to change your App Store country is to update the billing address on your payment method to an address in the new country.

What happens to my Apple Music or iCloud subscription if I change countries?

Your subscriptions continue, but the price changes to match your new country's pricing. You will see the new price on your next billing date. If the subscription is not available in your new country, it may be cancelled, though this is rare for major Apple services.

Can I have two Apple IDs in different countries?

Yes. You can create a separate Apple ID with a payment method in a different country. You would then sign in with that account on your device to access that country's App Store. However, you can only be signed into one App Store account at a time on a single device.

How long does it take for my App Store country to change?

Usually a few minutes to a few hours. In rare cases, it can take up to 24 hours for the change to fully process. If it has been longer than a day and your country still shows the old location, contact Apple Support.

What if I do not have a valid address in the new country yet?

You will need a real address in that country to update your billing information. If you are moving, you can use your new address once you have it confirmed. If you do not have a permanent address yet, some people use a temporary address (like a hotel or a friend's address), but Apple may reject it if it does not match your payment method's records.