You can change your App Store region by switching the country or region setting on your device, but you'll need a valid payment method for that location

The App Store region is tied to your Apple ID and the country setting on your device. To change it, you go into Settings (or System Preferences on Mac), find the region or country setting, and update it to where you want to download apps from. The change takes effect immediately, but Apple requires a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or local payment option — registered to that new region before you can download paid apps or make in-app purchases.

This is different from changing your physical location. You're telling Apple which country's App Store you want to access, which determines what apps are available to you, what prices you see, and which payment methods the system will accept.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store region is set through your device's country or region setting, not through a separate App Store preference.
  • You must have a valid payment method registered to the new region before you can download paid apps or make purchases.
  • Changing your region takes effect right away, but some apps may not be available in all regions due to local laws or publisher restrictions.
  • If you want to keep apps from your old region, download them before you switch, because they may disappear from your library after the change.

Steps to change your region on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and tap Language & Region. Tap Region and choose the country or region you want to switch to. Your device will update immediately.

After you change the region, open the App Store app. You may see a message asking you to update your payment information. Tap Update Payment Method and enter a valid card or payment option for that region. Some regions also accept local payment methods like Google Play credit or carrier billing — the options vary by country.

If you don't add a payment method right away, you can still download free apps. But you won't be able to buy paid apps or use in-app purchases until you add one.

Steps to change your region on Mac

Click the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click General, then click Language & Region. Click the Region dropdown and select your new country or region.

Open the App Store app. If prompted, go to Account (in the top-right corner) and select your name. Click View Information and update your payment method to one valid in the new region. Save the changes.

What happens to apps you already own

Apps you downloaded before switching regions stay on your device and continue to work. You can update them normally. However, if you look at your Purchased tab in the App Store after switching regions, some apps may no longer appear in your purchase history because they're not available in the new region's store.

If you switch regions again later and go back to your original region, those apps will reappear in your Purchased tab. You can re-download them without paying again.

Why some apps disappear after a region change

App publishers choose which countries to distribute their apps in. A game or utility available in the US App Store might not be available in the UK App Store, or vice versa. When you switch regions, you're accessing a different store with a different catalog. The app isn't deleted from your device — it just won't show up in that region's store listings or in your Purchased history.

Some apps are restricted by local law. For example, certain gambling or financial apps are only available in specific regions. Others are restricted by the publisher's choice or licensing agreements.

Payment methods and currency

Each region's App Store uses a different currency and accepts different payment methods. If you switch to the UK App Store, prices display in pounds sterling and you need a UK payment method. If you switch to Japan, prices are in yen and you may be able to use local options like prepaid cards.

You can't use a US credit card to pay for apps in the UK App Store, and you can't use a UK card for the US store. Apple checks that your payment method matches the region you've selected. If it doesn't, the purchase will be declined.

Switching back to your original region

Go back to Settings or System Preferences, open Language & Region, and change the Region back to your original country. Update your payment method to one valid in that region. Your original apps will reappear in your Purchased tab, and you can download them again.

There's no limit to how many times you can switch regions, but each switch requires a valid payment method for that location. If you frequently switch between two regions, keep payment methods for both on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A VPN doesn't change your App Store region. Your region is determined by the country setting on your device and your Apple ID, not by your IP address. Apple will still show you the App Store for the region you've set, regardless of where your VPN connection appears to be.

What if I don't have a payment method for the new region?

You can still download free apps. For paid apps and in-app purchases, you'll need to add a valid payment method for that region. Some regions accept prepaid gift cards or local payment services — check what's available in the App Store's payment settings for your chosen country.

Will my subscriptions transfer if I change regions?

Subscriptions (like Apple Music or app subscriptions) are tied to your Apple ID and region. If you switch regions, existing subscriptions may be interrupted or cancelled depending on whether they're available in the new region. Contact Apple Support before switching if you have active subscriptions you want to keep.

Can I have multiple regions on one Apple ID?

No. Your Apple ID is tied to one region at a time. You can change it, but you can't access multiple regional App Stores simultaneously with the same account. If you need apps from different regions regularly, you'd need separate Apple IDs for each region.

How long does it take for the region change to take effect?

The change is immediate. As soon as you update your region setting and confirm it, the App Store will show the new region's catalog. You may need to close and reopen the App Store app to see the updated listings.