Changing your App Store country can be a tricky process for many users. There are several reasons why you may want to switch your App Store country – accessing apps or content not available in your current country, taking advantage of lower prices in another region, or moving to a new country. However, Apple has put restrictions in place that make it difficult to change your App Store country on iOS devices and Macs.
App Store country is tied to your Apple ID region
The main reason you can’t easily change your App Store country is that it’s directly tied to the region your Apple ID is registered in. When you first create an Apple ID, you set a home region – this determines the App Store you access. For example, an Apple ID registered in the United States can only access the US App Store, while an ID registered in France can only access the French App Store.
Apple does this to comply with app pricing, licensing and availability rules, which vary across different countries. Apps, movies, music and books may have different publishers and costs in each country. By tying your Apple ID region to store access, Apple can ensure you only download content available and priced for your country.
You can’t change Apple ID country without proof of residency
The only way to switch your App Store country is by changing the home region of your Apple ID. However, Apple has strict rules in place for modifying your ID region:
- You can only change your Apple ID country once per year.
- You need to provide proof of residency documents, such as a utility bill, showing you live in the new country.
- Payment methods associated with your account must match the new country.
- Your device’s App Store country will update automatically once the ID region change goes through.
This residency proof requirement makes it very difficult to change regions unless you are actually moving to a new country. Even if you have a billing address or bank account in another country, Apple requires physical proof of home residency before they will update your ID.
Using a VPN to access another App Store has risks
Some users try to bypass App Store country restrictions by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN masks your device’s IP address, making it appear located in another country. However, there are risks with using a VPN to change your App Store country:
- Apple may detect you are accessing the wrong store and block your access.
- Paid apps and content are only available in the store linked to your Apple ID payment method.
- Updates may no longer work for apps installed from a different region.
- You violate Apple’s terms of service by circumventing country restrictions.
While tempting, using a VPN to access another App Store should be avoided in most cases. You won’t have full functionality and may risk your Apple ID being flagged or banned by Apple.
Creating a secondary Apple ID in another region
One of the only legitimate ways to access a foreign App Store is by creating a secondary Apple ID specifically registered in another country. You can set up multiple IDs on a single device and switch between them to download country-restricted apps.
The steps to create a secondary international Apple ID are:
- Go to appleid.apple.com and sign out of your current ID.
- Click “Create Your Apple ID” and select the desired country.
- Follow the prompts to add a new email, password and payment method.
- Verify the new account through the email confirmation.
- Sign out and log back into the device using the new ID credentials.
- Go to App Store and you should now see the new country’s store.
This method allows full access and purchases in the foreign App Store. However, you still need a valid payment method for that country. Additionally, you have to constantly log in and out to switch between IDs. It’s more convenient than a VPN but can still be cumbersome.
Using gift cards to access another country’s store
Another way to get limited access to a foreign App Store is by redeeming an iTunes or App Store gift card for that specific country. While your Apple ID remains unchanged, redeeming a gift card from another region will let you temporarily access and download apps from that country’s store. However, there are restrictions:
- You can only access the other App Store while you have gift card credit remaining.
- You are limited to free downloads or purchases covered by the gift card balance.
- Updates may stop working when your gift card balance runs out.
Gift cards give you a taste of another App Store but aren’t a long-term solution. Once your balance is gone, your access goes away until you redeem another country-specific gift card.
Changing countries permanently for your Apple ID
The only sure-fire way to fully switch your App Store country is to permanently move countries and contact Apple Support to change your Apple ID region. Here are the steps:
- Move to your new country and obtain residency documentation like a passport, visa or utility bills.
- Contact Apple Support and explain you permanently moved, providing your proof of residency.
- Apple will initiate the country change process, which can take up to 5 business days.
- Update your Apple ID payment method and billing address to your new country.
- Once completed, your App Store will automatically switch over.
This is really the only foolproof way of changing your App Store country permanently. Short of moving abroad or creating a secondary ID, Apple does not make it easy to switch regions due to content and pricing differences across App Stores.
Summary of key points
To summarize why you can’t easily change your App Store country on your Apple devices:
- App Store country is tied to your Apple ID region, set when you first create your account.
- Apple only allows changing ID country with residency proofs like utility bills.
- Using a VPN to bypass country restriction has risks like blocked access.
- You can create a second ID in another country, but it’s inconvenient to switch between accounts.
- Gift cards provide temporary access to another country’s App Store.
- Permanently moving countries and providing documentation to Apple is the only full-proof method to change your App Store country.
Unless you actually relocate or have a strong need to access another country’s store, it’s usually best to stick with your home App Store. While limiting at times, Apple’s rules are in place to respect pricing and licensing rights across different regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my App Store country without moving?
No, Apple requires proof of residency before they will change your Apple ID and App Store country. Just wanting to access another store is not enough of a reason for them to make changes.
What if I have two homes in different countries?
You can contact Apple Support to explain your situation having dual residency. They may allow you to periodically change region if you provide the required documentation for both countries. However, you still may not be able to switch back and forth frequently.
Can my friend in another country gift me apps from their country’s App Store?
Yes, gift cards and app gifts will work across different App Stores. Your friend could purchase you a gift card or gift you a paid app from their local App Store, which you could then redeem and download in your own country’s store.
What about changing countries on an Android device?
Android has fewer restrictions on changing Google Play Store countries. You can often change your registered country online without documentation. However, app availability and pricing differences will still apply based on your actual location.
If I move, how soon can I change my App Store country?
Contact Apple Support as soon as possible after moving countries permanently. Provide them your documentation and they will start the process of changing your Apple ID and App Store country. It typically takes 3-5 business days to fully update and switch your region.
Conclusion
Switching your App Store country is intentionally difficult due to Apple’s rules and restrictions. The store you access is tied to your Apple ID region, which can only be changed with residency proofs. While workarounds like VPNs or gift cards exist, they have limitations. The only full solution is moving permanently and going through Apple’s region change process. For most users, it’s recommended to stick with your home country App Store rather than trying to bypass these restrictions.
