How to change App Store country in 2026
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If you’re wondering how to change your App Store country, you’ve probably run into an app, game, or piece of digital content that isn’t available where you are. That’s normal – Apple’s App Store catalog varies by region, so what you see depends on your country settings.
The good news is that you can switch your App Store country and access region-specific apps. In some cases, a VPN can also help by changing your IP location. However, you’ll need to keep your current purchases, active subscriptions, and billing details in mind because active subscriptions are tied to your current region's billing system and cannot be transferred to a new one.
Keep reading to learn how to change your App Store country, which VPNs are best for the job, and how to fix the most common issues along the way.
How to change App Store country via settings
Before you begin, make sure you’ve spent any remaining Apple Account balance and canceled active subscriptions, since that prevents changing your country or region. You also need a valid payment method and billing address for the new country you select.
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap your name at the top of the screen, then select Media & Purchases
- Choose View Account option (sign in if prompted)
- Tap Country/Region, then pick Change Country or Region
- Select your new country or region
I tested this method in July 2026, and as the last step, you might be prompted to provide payment and billing details.
If you can't change your country or region, make sure your account balance is empty, and there are no active subscriptions. Ensure that you’re not blocked by Family Sharing or other pending purchases.
How to change App Store country with VPN
- Pick a reliable VPN compatible with iOS
- Download and install the software and set up an account
- Connect to a server in the location of your choice
- Open the App Store and go to your Apple ID
- Click Country/Region and change the location to match the one you chose in step 3. The country can be changed once every 90 days
- Relaunch the Apple App Store and enjoy browsing all the apps from that region
- Every time you need to access an app from another region, you should turn on a VPN to have a suitable IP address. Otherwise, your app or service might be restricted due to licensing issues
You cannot change a region for your Apple ID if you have active subscriptions because it locks your payment methods to your account. Therefore, you must cancel all your subscriptions and wait out any and all of them before you change countries.
Why you should use a VPN for the Apple App Store
A VPN changes your IP address, but it will not change your Apple ID country. The region change should be done through the Apple Store settings. Once your region is changed, a VPN can act as a supplementary tool to access that region’s app library from other locations.
| What you need | What it requires | Can a VPN help? |
| Matching IP address (situational) | Some apps/services check your IP even after your Apple ID region is switched, to confirm you're actually in that region | ✅ Yes – this is the one place a VPN is genuinely useful, as a supplement after the region change |
| Apple ID region changed | Should be done manually in Settings. This is the actual switch. | ❌ No – a VPN cannot change this setting for you |
| Payment method that’s valid in new region | Local card or a gift card from the target country's App Store | ❌ No |
| 90-day wait since last change | Apple limits region changes to once every 90 days | ❌ No |
| App available on your device | The app must exist in your new region's App Store; a VPN doesn't add apps that aren't published there | ❌ No |
This is ideal if you’re traveling abroad or if you’re in a location that’s experiencing difficulties with the App Store.
What's the best VPN to change App Store country?
Choosing the right VPN can be difficult, as there are so many different providers out there. But it’s important to note that not all VPNs support Apple products. Therefore, if you want a VPN to help you change the App Store country, you’ll need to select one that works on your devices.
On top of this, speed, security, and the quality and quantity of servers will vary dramatically, depending on which VPN you choose.
To save you from having to research this yourself, we’ve done all the hard work for you by testing out the best VPNs for Apple devices (Mac and iPhone) on the market. This helped me narrow down the list of the best VPNs that can bypass Apple App Store geo-restrictions.
- NordVPN – one of the best VPNs for Apple
- Surfshark – best value VPN to change the App Store country
- IPVanish – fast VPN for Mac enthusiasts
How does the App Store detect your location?
The Apple App Store uses a few different methods to determine your location. First and foremost, it can check your Apple ID to determine where you are located in the world. I put it to the test and noticed that Apple ID is a primary determining factor of what type of content is available to you.
But fooling Apple isn’t as simple as changing the ID to another country. Chances are you’ll still see the same version of the App Store you had access to before.
This is because Apple can still detect your whereabouts by looking at your IP address and GPS location.
By using a VPN to connect to a different server, you can hide your true IP address behind the one issued by your VPN provider. This will make it appear as though you’re in another country, allowing you to access your native App Store from abroad. Some VPN apps, like Surfshark, also include GPS spoofing features to prevent your device from being tracked.
However, most VPNs only provide a different IP address and mask your connection. In this aspect, VPNs work in tandem with region changes. For example, if you change your region to the US to download the Peacock app, you will need a VPN to connect to US servers so the app works. Keep in mind that this method assumes you have a valid and working Peacock account.
How to access region-restricted apps on any device with a VPN in 2026
If you’re traveling to another part of the world or want to access the contents of another country’s App Store, you’ll need to change your App Store’s location. Once you change your region, you can use a reliable VPN to connect to a server in your chosen location and access the apps that are local to your Apple ID. Some VPNs even have GPS spoofing features built in to keep your actual location completely hidden from Apple.
How to access geo-blocked apps on iPhone or iPad
Whether you’ve got an iPad or an iPhone, you can use this method to change your location on the Apple App Store:
- Select a VPN provider that has an iOS app
- Download the software from the App Store and sign up
- Connect to a server in the country of your choice
-
Head to Settings on your phone, open up your Apple ID, and choose your preferred region
-
Agree to the terms and conditions and enter your payment information that’s valid in the country associated with the account. Options include local credit cards or gift cards from the target country's App Store
- Open the App Store and start browsing a catalog of apps
- Access the apps with a VPN open to retain the same region between the Apple ID region and your device’s IP address. This applies every time you need to open apps when outside their designated region
- You can disable location services for the app you’d like to use via iPhone settings, which stops background data tracking
If this doesn’t work, clear your cache and cookies and try again. It’s important to remember that when you change the App Store’s region, you will likely need a VPN to ensure there’s no discrepancy between your actual and digital location. A VPN will ensure you have access to all of your apps while you’re outside your home region, but to make sure they run smoothly, you will need to comply with each app’s requirements, such as account creation or billing information.
How to access geo-restricted apps on Mac
If you’ve got a Mac, follow these steps to change your App Store location:
- Choose a VPN that works on Macs
- Download the software from the VPN’s website and create an account
- Connect to a server in your preferred country
- Launch the App Store on your Mac, double-click on your Apple ID in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen, and hit View Information
- Change your region to the country you’ve chosen, agree to the terms and conditions, and enter your payment information. Only payment methods local to the country associated with your account are accepted, including credit cards or gift cards
- Restart the App Store and start looking for new apps
- Remember to turn on a VPN every time you want to access apps from a different region, so you don’t get blocked. This is especially important when you’re outside your home country or traveling because, in order to access apps from a different region, your device's IP address needs to match the account’s information
If this hasn’t worked, try clearing your cache and cookies and relaunching the App Store. You may also like to read our detailed guide on how to change location on a Mac.
Is it legal to change your location on the App Store?
Yes, it’s legal to change your location on the Apple App Store. However, note that these options aren’t as secure, and they don’t come with additional privacy features to protect your identity and activity while you’re connected.
While it’s not illegal, doing this may violate Apple’s Terms of Service. And the App Store likely won’t accept payments from a credit or debit card linked to your true location, either. Still, you can get around this by purchasing an Apple App Store gift card and using it instead. Keep in mind that this method doesn’t really align with Apple’s regulations, which could result in a loss of purchase. Gift cards also don’t transcend regions, so if you buy a gift card in France, you will only be able to use it with a French account.
If you want any more details, take a look at our guide on VPN legality.
Can’t change location on the App Store with a VPN?
Occasionally, even if you’ve downloaded a VPN from the App Store and used it to connect to a server in another location, you might still not be able to change your App Store country. In such cases, it may be that you’ve accidentally connected to a server in the wrong region, or your VPN simply isn’t working.
If you’ve made sure your VPN is up and running and connected to a server in the right location, you should check for the following issues:
- Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod is old and no longer compatible with your VPN’s software
- Your real IP address is leaking
- Your VPN cannot bypass the geo-restrictions on the app or site you want to use
- The cookies on your device could reveal your actual location
To solve these problems, try the following options:
- Clear your cache and cookies
- Connect to another server
- Enable IP leak protection in the settings on your VPN
- Try a different browser
- Reach out to your VPN’s customer service team
If you’ve tried all these solutions and the VPN is still not working correctly, it might be time to think about switching providers. I recommend one of the top 3 VPNs listed above.
Conclusion
Like many app marketplaces, the App Store restricts app availability based on the account’s location. You can change the region in the account settings, but that doesn’t mean the apps will provide unrestricted access. Luckily, there are ways to work around it.
If you're traveling or want to use region-specific apps from another location, a VPN can support the region change by providing an IP address that matches your selected country. While a VPN cannot change your Apple ID region on its own, it allows you to access services that rely on your device's location after you've updated your account settings.
I’d recommend choosing a fast, secure VPN with reliable servers, such as NordVPN, that can provide IP addresses that match your Apple ID region settings.
FAQ
Will a VPN hide the IP address on my iPhone?
Yes, when you use a VPN to connect to one of its servers, you’ll then be issued a new IP address based in that location. This will then hide your true IP address from your iPhone, as well as any apps, sites, or services you try to access. To find out how, check out our step-by-step guide.
What is the best VPN for changing my location on the App Store?
I tested many VPNs, and I found that NordVPN is the best solution for changing your location on the Apple App Store. It has a great iOS app that has heaps of security features, and it’s straightforward to use. Besides this, it can unblock all sorts of sites and services from other parts of the world, delivering excellent security.
Is it safe to use a VPN to change your location on the Apple App Store?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to use a VPN to change your App Store location. In fact, using a VPN can improve your online security by encrypting your traffic and thereby keeping your private information safe from cybercriminals. You should be aware that while using a VPN is generally safe, changing your App Store region carries risks, including loss of access to region-locked purchases and potential Terms of Service violations.
How do I download American App Store apps?
To access the US App Store, a VPN alone is not enough. You need to change your Apple ID country to the US. This also requires a US payment method and has a 90-day frequency limit.
Will I lose my apps if I change App Store country?
You shouldn’t lose most of your apps. The only issue may occur with geo-restricted apps only available in certain countries, meaning paid apps and in-app purchases from your original region may become inaccessible. If you change your location to one of the countries where certain apps aren’t available, then you won’t be able to access them. You will also lose ongoing subscriptions.
Does changing your App Store location affect anything?
Changing your App Store location changes the content available to you. You can easily change your Apple App Store location with a reliable VPN.
