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how to change apple id country

To change your Apple ID country, you need to clear a few account “loose ends” first, then update the country/region in your Apple ID or App Store settings.

Key things to know

  • You must have a zero Apple ID balance before changing country/region.
  • Active subscriptions (Apple Music, iCloud+, Apple TV+, in‑app subs) must be canceled and allowed to fully expire.
  • You need a valid payment method and billing address for the new country or region.
  • Family Sharing can block the change; you may need to leave or dissolve the family group first.

Step 1: Pre‑change checklist

Before touching settings, do this:

  1. Spend remaining balance
    • Buy a small app/song/movie until your Apple ID credit is 0, or contact Apple Support if you can’t get it to exactly zero.
  1. Cancel all subscriptions
    • Go to Settings → your name → Subscriptions, cancel everything, then wait until the current billing period ends.
  1. Clear pending items
    • Make sure there are no pre‑orders, rentals, or pending refunds on your account.
  1. Leave Family Sharing (if needed)
    • Settings → your name → Family, then remove yourself or disband the group if you’re the organizer.
  1. Download past purchases you care about
    • Some apps/media might not be available in the new country, so re‑download important items now.
  1. Prepare local payment details
    • Have a card, PayPal (where supported), or other payment method and billing address that match the new country.

Step 2: Change country on iPhone

Once everything above is done:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  1. Tap your name at the top (Apple ID banner).
  1. Tap Media & Purchases → View Account , then authenticate if asked.
  1. Tap Country/Region.
  1. Tap Change Country or Region.
  1. Choose your new country/region from the list.
  1. Read Terms & Conditions, then tap Agree → Agree again to confirm.
  1. Enter your new payment method and billing address for that country, then tap Next.

Your Apple ID/App Store should switch immediately to the new storefront, with apps and prices for that region.

Step 3: Change country on Mac or Windows (optional)

If you prefer doing it on a computer:

  • On Mac (Apple Music / Apple TV app):
    • Open Apple Music or Apple TV → in the menu bar, go to Account → Account Settings → sign in → click Change Country or Region → pick new country → accept terms → enter new payment info and billing address → Continue.
  • On Windows PC:
    • Open Apple Music or Apple TV → click your name at bottom of sidebar → View My Account → Change Country or Region → select country → agree to terms → update payment and address.

Extra tips and forum‑style “gotchas”

  • Some users report they create a separate Apple ID just for another country to avoid canceling subscriptions on their main account, especially for temporary access to another region’s apps.
  • Frequent switching is technically possible, but people warn it’s annoying because of repeated subscription/billing issues and region‑locked content.
  • In some guides for testers, people use a “dummy” address and choose None as payment method where available, but official instructions still emphasize a valid local payment option.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.