Switching App Store Regions: Australia Edition

how to change my apple store to australia

If you're moving to Australia, you'll need to change your Apple ID country to access the Australian version of the App Store. This is because each country has a different selection of apps, and some apps may not be available in certain regions. You can change your App Store region on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or through a web browser. Before changing your region, you'll need to cancel any active subscriptions and memberships and wait for any pending refunds to be processed. You'll also need to spend any remaining credit in your Apple ID account, as you'll lose this when you switch countries. Once you've done this, you can update your billing address and payment method for your new country.

Characteristics Values
Devices iPhone, iPad, Mac, MacBook, Windows PC
Steps Find Settings app, Click on name/Apple Menu, Go to Account Settings/Media & Purchases, Click View Account, Click Country/Region, Click Change Country or Region, Select country, Review and Agree to Terms & Conditions, Enter payment information and billing address, Sign in
Payment Valid payment method and billing address for the new country required; may need to spend store credit before switching
Subscriptions Cancel subscriptions before switching
Family Sharing May not be able to change country or region if part of a Family Sharing group
Content Some content may not be available in the new country or region

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Cancelling subscriptions and spending store credit

Before changing your Apple account's country or region, you must cancel any subscriptions that block a country or region change and wait until the end of the subscription period. This includes memberships, pre-orders, film rentals, or Season Passes. You should also wait for any pending store credit refunds to be processed.

To cancel a subscription on your iPhone or iPad, go to System Settings (for macOS Ventura and higher) or System Preferences (for macOS Monterey and earlier). Sign in with your Apple ID, click on Media & Purchases, then locate and click Manage under Subscriptions. This will open your Settings in the App Store, where you will find the ""Cancel a Subscription" button.

If you are using a Windows PC, you can cancel subscriptions through the Apple TV or Apple Music app if you have Windows 10 or higher. Open either app, sign in with your Apple ID, and choose "View My Account." Scroll down to Settings, then locate and click Manage under Subscriptions. Find the subscription you wish to cancel, click Edit, then click Cancel Subscription.

Alternatively, you can use iTunes on your Windows PC. Open iTunes, go to the top menu bar, and select Account. Choose "View My Account," scroll to Settings, and click Manage under Subscriptions. Find the subscription you wish to cancel, click Edit, then click Cancel Subscription.

If you have an annual subscription and cancel within 14 days of purchase, you may be eligible for a refund. Contact Apple Customer Support if you need further assistance.

Now, regarding spending your store credit, you must first ensure that you have a balance greater than the cost of a single item. If you do, you can simply purchase an item to spend your credit. If your store credit is less than the cost of a single item, you can ask iTunes Support to zero out your account balance. Alternatively, you can buy an item more expensive than your balance and use a different payment method to pay the excess amount.

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Creating a new Apple ID

To change your Apple Store country to Australia, you will need to create a new Apple ID. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Sign out of your current Apple ID

If you are using an iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings app and sign out of your current Apple ID. On a Mac, open the Music or iTunes app and sign out from the menu bar or iTunes window. If you are using a Windows PC, open iTunes and click your name at the bottom of the sidebar to sign out.

Step 2: Create a new Apple ID

On your iPhone or iPad, go back to the Settings app and select the option to create a new Apple ID. You will be asked to enter the necessary information, such as your name, date of birth, and email address. On a Mac or Windows PC, open the Music or iTunes app and click on the "Account" or "My Account" option. From there, you can create a new Apple ID by entering the required information.

Step 3: Select your country

After creating your new Apple ID, you will be asked to select your country. Choose Australia as your preferred country.

Step 4: Review and accept the Terms and Conditions

Review the Terms and Conditions for using the Apple Store in Australia, and tap "Agree" to accept them. You may need to tap "Agree" again to confirm your acceptance.

Step 5: Enter your payment information

To complete the creation of your new Apple ID, you will need to enter a valid payment method and billing address for Australia. This is necessary for purchasing apps and other content from the Australian Apple Store.

Please note that creating a new Apple ID will allow you to access the Australian Apple Store and its available apps. However, you may lose access to your existing purchases and subscriptions associated with your previous Apple ID. It is recommended to review the implications of changing your Apple Store country before proceeding.

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Updating payment information

To update your payment information on your Apple account, follow these steps:

First, open the Settings app on your device. Then, tap your name and select 'Payment & Shipping'. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple Account. Next, tap 'Add Payment Method' and enter your new payment details. Review your billing information and make any necessary changes to ensure that the information matches what you have on file with your financial institution. Some payment methods may require additional verification, so be sure to follow the instructions provided by your financial institution. Once you've entered the payment details, tap 'Done'.

You can also specify the order in which your payment methods are billed. On the Payment & Shipping screen, tap Edit, then touch and hold a payment method to drag it up or down to rearrange the order. Apple will attempt to charge your payment methods in the order they appear.

If you're using a Windows PC, the process is slightly different. Open the Apple Music app or Apple TV app and click your name at the bottom of the sidebar. You may need to sign in to your Apple Account. Next to 'Payment Information', click 'Manage Payments', then click 'Add Payment' and enter the new payment method details. Click 'Done' when you're finished.

Remember, it's important to keep your payment information up to date to ensure uninterrupted access to your Apple subscriptions and services.

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Using a VPN

Firstly, you will need to choose a VPN that is compatible with iOS. Not all VPNs support Apple products, so this is an important first step. Proton VPN, for example, is well-built for both PCs and smartphones, and offers enhanced protection. However, a popular choice for iOS is NordVPN, which has a large server network, high speeds, and a great iOS app. Other options include Surfshark VPN, which offers a no-device limit, and Hotspot Shield Elite, which is specifically recommended for iPhone and iPad.

Once you have chosen your VPN, you will need to download and install the software, and set up an account. You will then need to connect to a server in your chosen location—in this case, Australia.

Next, you will need to change the country settings on your Apple ID. This can be done by going into your iOS/Apple ID settings. On your iPhone or iPad, find and tap the "Settings" app, then click on your Apple ID. From here, you can choose "View Account" from the menu and sign in to your account if prompted. You can then choose the "Country/Region" option and follow the steps to change your country or region to Australia. You may need to enter payment details and billing information for your new location.

Finally, you can open up the App Store and enjoy browsing all the apps from Australia!

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Changing the region on a MacBook

Using the App Store:

  • Go to the App Store app on your Mac.
  • Click on your name in the bottom-left corner. If you're not signed in, click "Sign In" and enter your Apple ID credentials.
  • Click on "Account Settings" at the top of the window.
  • In the "Apple Account Summary" section, click on "Change Country or Region."
  • A pop-up menu will appear. Select "Australia" or your desired country/region from the menu.
  • Follow any additional on-screen instructions.

Using System Preferences:

  • Go to "System Preferences" on your MacBook.
  • Navigate to "Language and Region" within the "System Preferences" menu.
  • Make the necessary changes to update your region.

Changing Apple Account Region:

If you want to change the region associated with your Apple ID and account, follow these steps:

  • Open the Music app or iTunes on your MacBook.
  • Sign in to your Apple ID account if prompted.
  • Once you're on the "Account Information" page, look for the "Country or Region" option.
  • Choose "Australia" or your desired country/region.
  • Review and agree to the "Terms and Conditions" related to the new country/region.
  • Update your billing information and payment method to match your new country/region.

Please note that changing your Apple Account region may require you to cancel active subscriptions, spend any remaining account balance, and update your iCloud plan according to the new region's pricing. Additionally, some content, apps, and services may not be available in your new region.

Frequently asked questions

Go to Settings, tap on your name, then tap on Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region > Change country or region and select Australia. Tap Agree after reviewing the Terms & Conditions.

Yes, go to the App Store app, click your name/Sign In, then click Account Settings. In the Apple Account Summary section, click Change Country or Region, select Australia, and follow the on-screen instructions.

No, you only need to change it on one device. As long as all your devices are logged into the same iCloud account, the change will be synced across all your devices.

You should cancel any subscriptions, memberships, pre-orders, and wait for any pending refunds. You should also spend any remaining store credit as it may not be available in your new country.

Yes, you will need to update your billing address and payment method to a valid option for the new country. If you don't want to add a new payment method, you can create a new Apple ID without one, which will allow you to download free media.

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