How to change country on iPhone: Apple Account region and device region

People who ask how to change the country on an iPhone usually mean one of two things. Either they moved to a new country and need the App Store, prices and payment methods to match, or they want dates, times and currency shown the way they do in another place. Those are two different settings in two different places, and only one of them has strict rules. This guide explains both and what to prepare before you change the one that matters most. Menu names can vary by iOS version, and Apple’s support page is the final word on its own rules.

What is the difference between country and region on an iPhone?

• Apple Account Country/Region: decides which App Store you see, which prices and apps are available and which payment methods work. Changing it is a formal process.
• Device Region: found in Settings › General › Language & Region. It sets formats such as date, time, numbers, currency and measurement. You can change it freely.

How do you change your Apple Account country or region?

What should you do before you change it?

• Spend your remaining Apple Account balance or check that you have none.
• Cancel active subscriptions and wait for them to end. See stopping iPhone subscriptions.
• Wait for any pre-orders, rentals or memberships to finish.
• If you are in Family Sharing, note that the change may not be possible when members live in different countries. The organizer may need to deal with the group first.
• Redownload music, movies, shows, books and apps you want to keep, since some may not be offered in the new country.
• Have a valid payment method for the new country ready. See changing your payment method on iPhone.

Why does Apple say you cannot change your country?

The most common causes are a store credit balance, a subscription that is still active, an unpaid purchase, or a Family Sharing group that spans countries. Open Settings › your name › Subscriptions and check what is active. If you see a message that your account is on hold or locked, read an Apple Account that is locked first. If you are still stuck, Apple Support can look at your account and tell you what is blocking the change.

How do you change the device Region?

Changing Region does not move your App Store country, and it does not change which apps you can download. It only changes how information is shown on the phone.

What happens to your apps and purchases?

Your purchased apps stay on your Apple Account, but some may not be offered in the new store, and they might stop updating or disappear from your phone if the developer has not released them there. Subscriptions you cancelled do not carry over. If an app misbehaves after the change, deleting and reinstalling it can help, so back up first with a how-to on iPhone backups.

Should you use a VPN to change your App Store country?

No. A VPN does not change your Apple Account country, and using one to get around store limits can cause problems with your account or purchases. The supported way is the process above. If you only need an app that is not available in your country, check whether the developer offers a web version or an alternative.

Traveling or moving: what should you do?

For a short trip, you do not need to change your country. Your phone keeps working, and you can use Wi-Fi or a local plan. See phone use in Europe for trip planning. If you move for good, change your Apple Account country so you can use local payment methods, and update the carrier and Wi-Fi Calling details if needed.

Quick checklist

How do you check which country your account uses now?

Open Settings, tap your name, tap Media & Purchases and View Account, then look at Country/Region. This is the country the App Store uses. The device Region is separate, in Settings › General › Language & Region. If the two do not match, the App Store country is the one that controls what you can buy.

What about a Family Sharing group when you move?

Family Sharing needs members to share a country or region for purchases. If you move, the organizer may need to remove members or leave the group before the account can change country, and shared purchases may be affected. Plan this before you move, and read Apple’s Family Sharing page for the current rules.

Do prices and plans change with the new country?

Yes. App prices, Apple Music, iCloud storage and other subscriptions are priced for the country of your account, and some services may not be available at all. After you switch, review what you pay for in Settings › your name › Subscriptions. For help with card changes, see changing your payment method on iPhone.

Does changing the country change your phone number or carrier?

No. Your phone number and carrier are separate. If you move and change carriers, see how to switch phone carriers, and if you plan to bring your iPhone with you, check that it is unlocked with checking whether your phone is unlocked.

How long does the country change take?

The change usually takes effect right away once you confirm the terms and add a payment method. Open the App Store afterward to see the new storefront. Some apps may need to be updated or reinstalled before they behave normally.

What happens to Apple Pay and your cards?

Payment cards are tied to a region, so a card from your old country may not work in the new one. After you change the country, check Wallet and your payment methods, and add a card that works where you live now. If a bank asks for verification, see Apple Wallet verification not available.

Can you switch back later?

Usually yes, with the same steps and the same conditions, such as no balance and no active subscriptions. Apple’s rules can change, and repeated changes in a short time may be restricted, so only change the country when you really need to. Keep notes about which subscriptions and apps you had before the change.

What if you only want an app from another country?

If you are only visiting or want one app, changing the account country is a big step for a small gain. Check whether the app has a web version, whether a similar app is available where you are, or whether the developer offers the app worldwide under another name.

• You know whether you want to change the Apple Account country or the device Region.
• Your balance is used, subscriptions have ended and pre-orders are done.
• You have a payment method and address for the new country.
• You redownloaded content you want to keep.
• You did not rely on a VPN to change the store.