How to change your Apple Account country or region: official steps and 7 things to clear first

Last updated 2026-10-20 · verified against official sources on 2026-10-20

Quick answer

On iPhone: Settings → tap your name → Media & Purchases → Country/Region → select the new country or region → Continue → Agree to the Terms & Conditions → enter a payment method and billing address → Done. First spend your Apple Account balance and cancel subscriptions that block the change (then wait for the period to end), or the change may not go through.

This guide covers only Apple's official process, for people who move to a new country or region. Every step and button name comes from Apple Support. It does not cover buying accounts or using other people's addresses.

Before you start

Spend your remaining Apple Account balance on the App Store or other Apple services (in some countries and regions, also on Apple products and accessories). Source
If your balance is less than the cost of a single item, contact Apple Support to clear it. Source
Cancel subscriptions that block a country or region change, then wait until the end of the subscription period. Source
Wait for memberships, pre-orders, movie rentals or Season Passes to complete (you can cancel a pre-order), and for pending refunds to process. Source
Check Family Sharing: members might not be able to change country or region and may need to leave the group. Source
Have a valid payment method for the new country or region. If you don't want to enter one, Apple suggests waiting until you're physically there and creating a new Apple Account. Source
Redownload apps, music, movies, TV shows and books on devices you'll use, because some content might not be available in the new location. Source

Step 1: On iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro

In Settings, tap your name.
Tap Media & Purchases. You might need to sign in.
Tap Country/Region, select your new country or region, then tap Continue.
Review the Terms & Conditions, then tap Agree.
Select a payment method, enter your new payment information and billing address, then tap Done.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118283

Step 2: On Mac

Open the Apple Music app or Apple TV app.
From the Account menu in the menu bar, choose Account Settings (you might need to sign in).
Click Country/Region, select your new country or region, then click Continue.
Review the Terms & Conditions, then click Agree.
Select a payment method, enter payment information and billing address, then click Done.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118283

Step 3: On a Windows PC

Open the Apple Music app or Apple TV app.
Click your name at the bottom of the sidebar, or click Sign In.
Click View My Account, then Change Country or Region.
Select your new country or region, review the Terms & Conditions, then click Agree.
Select a payment method, enter payment information and billing address, then click Continue.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118283

Step 4: On the web

Sign in to account.apple.com.
Select Personal Information, then Country/Region.
Follow the onscreen instructions.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118283

Costs and rules at a glance

Item	What the official page says	Source
Remaining Apple Account balance	Must be spent first; if below the cost of one item, contact Apple Support to clear it	Official page
Gift card / store credit cash-out	Not redeemable for cash or refundable unless required by law	Official page
Subscriptions that block the change	Cancel and wait for the period to end; Apple One and iCloud+ can be resubscribed in the new location if available	Official page
Payment method	You might need a valid payment method for the new country or region; see Apple's list by country	Official page

Checked on 2026-10-20. Prices and rules follow the official pages and can change.

FAQ and troubleshooting

I followed the steps but still can't change it. Why?

Apple says to make sure you canceled your subscriptions, waited for pending activity to clear and spent your balance. If the balance is below the cost of a single item, contact Apple Support. Source

Can I get my leftover balance back as cash?

Apple Gift Card, App Store gift card and unused Apple Account balances can't be redeemed for cash or refunded unless required by law. Source

What about iCloud+ or Apple One?

After updating payment details, you can resubscribe in the new location if the service is available there. Check what happens to data stored in iCloud before canceling. Source

Can a Family Sharing member change region?

Members might not be able to; Apple suggests leaving the Family Sharing group first. Source

Official sources used

Written by Margin Notes from official help pages. No text or screenshots are copied from other sites; steps include only what the official pages state.

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