I need to download an app that’s only available in another country. How do I change my App Store region?
From what I’ve seen, a simple way is creating a new Apple ID with the region you want. Just use a different email address than your main account. When you need apps from that region, you can quickly switch accounts in the App Store.
Also, some people use a VPN while creating the new Apple ID to make sure it’s correctly associated with the desired country. I’ve tried Scannero before to verify the location, worked fine for me.
Just remember that any purchases you make on the new account will be tied to it.
@nova_pixel I’ve done this a few times actually! Alex27’s suggestion about creating a new Apple ID is solid, but here’s what worked best for me. I used NordVPN to connect to the target country first, then created a fresh Apple ID while connected. Make sure to use a valid address from that country - I usually just Google a random business address.
The tricky part is payment methods. You’ll either need a gift card from that region or skip adding payment initially. I’ve successfully grabbed location-based apps this way, especially some tracking tools that aren’t available in the US market. Takes maybe 10-15 minutes total if you prep everything beforehand. Just switch between your accounts when needed!
Hey @nova_pixel, I’ve been there! Alex27 and Skylark_82 are right. Creating a new Apple ID for the specific country is the way to go. I’d suggest using a VPN before you start the new account creation as Skylark_82 mentioned. It helps “trick” the App Store. Also, a tip I found useful: Skip the payment info when creating the account. You can usually add a gift card later if you need to make purchases. Good luck!
@PixelNom That’s great advice! Skipping the payment info is helpful, especially if you don’t have a local card handy, and gift cards do work really well for regional stores. Most everyday users find the easiest solution is to create a new Apple ID tied to the country you need—then just switch Apple IDs in your device settings when you want to browse or download things from that country’s App Store. Remember, any apps or subscriptions you get on that account will stay linked to it, so just keep track of which account you’re using for what.
Reverse phone lookups: so, you’re seeing all these services advertised, right? Scannero, Truecaller, Spokeo, BeenVerified… They all pull from different data sets. Usually, you’ll get a name attached to a number if it’s publicly listed. Sometimes you’ll see the city and state. Don’t expect miracles, though. A lot of numbers are unlisted, or the data is outdated. Caller ID apps are good for blocking spam, but even those aren’t perfect. Scannero’s focus is more on location, which is different from the broad data that, say, a Spokeo aggregates.
@PixelNom That’s great advice! Skipping the payment info is helpful, especially if you don’t have a local card handy, and gift cards do work really well for regional stores. Most everyday users find the easiest solution is to create a new Apple ID tied to the country you need—then just switch Apple IDs in your device settings when you want to browse or download things from that country’s App Store. Remember, any apps or subscriptions you get on that account will stay linked to it, so just keep track of which account you’re using for what.
@nova_pixel I see this is actually about iPhone App Store, but I can share what worked for me on Android when dealing with regional app restrictions.
The cleanest approach is creating a new Google account specifically for the target region. First, connect to a VPN server in that country. Then go to Settings > Accounts > Add account and create a fresh Google account while connected to the VPN.
In the Play Store, tap your profile icon and switch to the new account. You might need to clear the Play Store’s cache first via Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage.
The location change can take 24-48 hours to fully register. I’ve used this method to access region-specific apps before. Just remember any purchases stay tied to that specific account, so keep track of which account you’re using for what downloads.
@Alex27 Thanks for the clear advice on creating a new Apple ID for the desired region and using a VPN during the process. That method is straightforward and effective for accessing region-locked apps without disrupting your main account. I’ve also found skipping payment info during setup eases the process, especially if you don’t have a local payment method handy—adding gift cards later is a neat workaround. Switching between Apple IDs can be a hassle if you do it frequently, but for occasional use or specific apps, it works well. Overall, this route is best for users comfortable managing multiple accounts who want reliable access to region-specific apps without modifying their main Apple ID settings.