Change your iPhone region in Settings, not in the App Store

Your iPhone region setting controls which App Store you see, what currency prices display in, and which apps are available to you. To change it, go to Settings > General > Language & Region, tap Region, and pick a new country or territory from the list. The change takes effect when ready, but the App Store may take a few minutes to refresh and show apps for your new region.

This is different from changing your Apple ID country, which is a separate step that requires a valid payment method for that region. If you only want to see different apps or prices, changing your region in Language & Region is faster and does not affect your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Region is set in Settings > General > Language & Region > Region, and changes take effect right away.
  • Changing your region shows you a different App Store with different apps and prices, but does not move your Apple ID to a new country.
  • If you want to buy apps or subscriptions in a new region, you will also need to change your Apple ID country and add a payment method for that region.
  • Your iPhone will read new language packs and update keyboard layouts when you change region, which may take a few minutes.

What happens when you change your region

When you pick a new region, your iPhone updates several things at once. The App Store switches to show apps available in that country, prices change to the local currency, and keyboard layouts and language options update to match. Your existing apps stay installed and keep working, but you will see different recommendations and featured apps the next time you open the App Store.

Some apps may disappear from your library if they are not available in your new region. You can still use them if they are already installed, but you cannot update them or reinstall them from the App Store until you switch back. This is why it is worth checking whether the apps you use most are available in your target region before you commit to the change.

The difference between region and Apple ID country

Your region (in Language & Region) and your Apple ID country (in Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases) are separate settings. You can change your region without touching your Apple ID, and you can change your Apple ID country without changing your region. Most people only need to change their region.

Change your region if you want to see a different App Store or use local keyboards and date formats. Change your Apple ID country only if you are moving to a new country permanently or want to buy apps using a payment method from a different region. Changing your Apple ID country requires a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or local payment app) registered to that country.

Step-by-step: changing your region

1. Open Settings and go to General. Tap the Settings app, then scroll down and tap General.

2. Tap Language & Region. You will see options for language, region, and calendar.

3. Tap Region. A list of countries and territories appears in alphabetical order.

4. Scroll and select your new region. Tap the country or territory you want. A checkmark appears next to your selection.

5. Wait for the App Store to refresh. Go back to the home screen. The App Store may take a few minutes to read language packs and update its catalog. You do not need to restart your phone.

When you need to change your Apple ID country too

If you want to buy apps, subscriptions, or in-app purchases in your new region, you will need to change your Apple ID country as well. This requires a valid payment method from that country — a credit card, debit card, or local payment app like Alipay or WeChat Pay. Without a payment method on file, you can only read free apps.

To change your Apple ID country, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Account > Country/Region. Tap Change Country or Region, pick your new country, and follow the prompts to add a payment method. Apple will ask you for a billing address in that country. The change takes effect right away, but you may not be able to switch back to your old country for a few months.

Troubleshooting: App Store not updating after region change

If the App Store still shows your old region after you changed it in Language & Region, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. Go to Settings > [Your Name], scroll to the bottom, and tap Sign Out. Then sign back in with your Apple ID password. This forces the App Store to refresh and sync with your new region setting.

If you changed your region but your apps are not updating, check that your region and your Apple ID country match. If they do not, the App Store may refuse to update apps until they are in sync. You can also try restarting your iPhone: hold down the power button, slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on.

Changing region on older iPhone models

The steps are the same on iPhone 6 and newer. On very old models running iOS 14 or earlier, the path is slightly different: go to Settings > General > Language & Region instead of Language & Region alone. The option to change region is in the same place once you get there.

If you are running iOS 16 or later, you have the current interface. If you are not sure which iOS version you have, go to Settings > General > About and look at the Software Version line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my region delete my apps?

No. Your installed apps stay on your phone. Apps that are not available in your new region will stop updating, but you can still use them. If you switch back to your old region, they will start updating again.

Can I change my region back whenever I want?

Yes. You can change your region as many times as you want in Language & Region with no penalty. If you also changed your Apple ID country, you may have to wait a few months before switching it back, but your region can change right away.

Does changing my region affect my iCloud account?

No. Your iCloud data, backups, and account stay the same. Only the App Store and local settings like keyboard layout and date format change.

What if an app I need is not available in my new region?

You can keep using it if it is already installed. To update it or reinstall it later, you will need to change your region back or use a VPN to access your old region's App Store. Some apps block access from VPNs, so this does not always work.

Do I need to change my region if I am just traveling?

No. Your region setting does not change based on location. You can travel anywhere and keep your current region. Change it only if you want to see a different App Store or use different keyboards and date formats.