Changing your App Store location requires creating a new account or updating your existing one with a different country's payment method and address

Your App Store location is tied to the country or region you selected when you first set up your device or account. If you move to a new country, want to access apps only available in another region, or need to match your account to where you actually live, you will need to change this setting. The process differs between Apple and Google, and it involves more than just changing a setting in your phone — you will need a payment method and address from the new country.

The fastest route depends on your device type and whether you want to keep your existing apps. On iPhone and iPad, you can change your region through Settings without losing your current apps, but you cannot do this without a valid payment method from that country. On Android, the process is similar but managed through Google Play settings instead of Apple settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store location is set by the country or region linked to your Apple ID or Google account, not by your device's physical location.
  • Changing your region requires a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or local payment option) from that country and a billing address there.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Account > Country/Region to change your location without losing apps.
  • On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, select Settings > General > Country and profiles, and choose your new country.
  • If you do not have a payment method from the new country, you can use a gift card purchased in that region or wait until you have a local card.

Changing your App Store location on iPhone and iPad

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name at the top of the screen. Select Media & Purchases, then tap Account. You will see your current country or region listed. Tap Country/Region and select the new country from the list. Apple will ask you to confirm your choice and may ask for a payment method from that country.

If you do not have a payment method from the new country yet, you can select None as your payment option during this step, though this limits what you can download. Once you have a valid card or payment method from that region, you can return to the same screen and add it. Your existing apps will remain on your device after you change regions — you will not lose them. However, you will only be able to download and update apps that are available in your new region going forward.

If you want to keep your old region's apps but also access apps from a new region, you will need to create a second Apple ID with that country's payment method. This is more complex and requires managing two separate accounts on your device.

Changing your App Store location on Android

Open the Google Play Store app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then scroll down and tap General. Choose Country and profiles. You will see your current country listed. Tap it and select your new country from the list. Google will ask you to confirm and may require you to add or update a payment method for that region.

Like Apple, Google requires a valid payment method from your new country to complete the change. If you do not have one yet, you can add a gift card from that country instead. Once you confirm your new country, your existing apps will stay on your device, but you will only see apps available in that region's Play Store from that point forward.

Google is stricter than Apple about keeping your account in the country where you actually live. If you change your country but your payment method does not match, Google may flag your account or require you to update your information.

What you need before you change regions

You must have a payment method from the country you are moving to. This can be a credit card, debit card, or a local payment option like a bank transfer method that the region accepts. If you do not have a card yet, you can purchase a gift card in that country's App Store or Play Store and use it instead. Gift cards work as a temporary solution while you wait for a local payment method to arrive.

You also need a billing address in that country. This address must match your payment method — if your card is registered to an address in the new country, use that address. If you are moving and do not yet have a permanent address, you can use a temporary one like a hotel, a friend's address, or a mail forwarding service, though some payment processors will reject temporary addresses.

Your device itself does not need to be physically located in the new country to make this change. You can change your App Store region from anywhere in the world as long as you have the required payment method and address.

What happens to your apps and purchases after you change regions

Apps you have already downloaded will remain on your device and will continue to work. You can still update them as long as the developer continues to offer them in your new region. If an app is no longer available in your new region, you will not be able to update it, and it may stop working after a certain point if the developer stops supporting older versions.

Your purchase history stays with your account, but you will only see apps, games, and in-app purchases that are available in your new region's store. Some apps are region-locked, meaning they are only sold in certain countries. If you download an app in one region and then move to another where it is not sold, you can still use it, but you cannot update it.

Subscriptions you have active will continue to renew using your new region's payment method and pricing. If an app costs different amounts in different regions, you will pay the new region's price going forward. This can be higher or lower depending on the app and the region.

Using a gift card if you do not have a local payment method

If you are moving to a new country but do not yet have a local bank card or payment method, you can use a gift card from that country's App Store or Play Store. Purchase the gift card through an online retailer that ships to your current location, or ask someone in the new country to purchase one for you. Redeem the gift card on your account before you change your region.

Gift cards work as a temporary payment method, but they will eventually run out. Once the balance is used, you will need to add a permanent payment method to continue downloading apps. Some regions allow you to add a gift card as your primary payment method indefinitely, while others require a credit or debit card after the gift card balance is depleted.

Changing regions multiple times

You can change your App Store region as many times as you need, but there are limits. Apple allows you to change your region once every 90 days, though this rule may vary by country. Google does not have a published limit, but changing regions too frequently can trigger security reviews or temporary account locks. If you travel frequently or move between countries often, consider whether you need to change your region each time or if you can manage with your original region's store.

Each time you change regions, you will need a valid payment method and address from that country. If you cannot provide one, the change will not go through. Some people keep multiple Apple IDs or Google accounts to avoid this limitation, though managing multiple accounts can become complicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my apps if I change my App Store region?

No. Apps you have already downloaded will stay on your device and continue to work. You will not be able to update apps that are no longer available in your new region, but the apps themselves will not disappear from your phone or tablet.

Can I change my App Store region without a payment method from that country?

On iPhone, you can select None as your payment option, but this limits what you can download. On Android, you generally need a payment method to complete the change. A gift card from that country works as a temporary solution for both platforms.

What if my billing address does not match my payment method?

Your billing address should match the address registered to your payment method. If they do not match, the payment processor may reject the transaction. Contact your bank or card issuer to confirm the address on file, then use that same address when you change your App Store region.

How long does it take to change my App Store region?

The change usually takes effect immediately once you confirm your new country and payment method. However, it can take a few hours for your account to fully update across Apple or Google's servers, and you may see apps from both regions briefly.

Can I use a VPN to access a different region's App Store?

Using a VPN to access a different region's store violates the terms of service for both Apple and Google. Your account can be suspended or permanently locked if detected. The proper way to access a different region's store is to change your region through the official settings.