Have you ever gotten a message from the Apple iTunes Store saying:
The item you’ve requested is not currently available in [your location] Store, but it is available in the U.S. Store [or whichever location].
The reason certain apps, TV shows, music, movies, ect, say that you have to change your iTunes Store location is because of licensing terms and other legalities that I won’t go into. It’s the same why reason you can’t watch Hulu outside of the US. However if you’ve recently moved to the US or simply just want to attain certain US apps then you can just change your iTunes Store location.
A Few Important things to Understand
Before you start though, there are a few things I should be clear about. If you change your current Apple ID accounts location, you’ll only be able to update/download the apps that are available for that new location. So if you already have apps on your device and then change the store location, those apps will have re-downloaded from your new store location. Now if you want to continue using and updating your current apps, and still be able to download apps from outside your country then you need to create another account. This will allow you to log out of your current Apple ID and log into your other Apple ID account located in a different country or region. If you simply want to view the app, you can just log out of your account, choose a temporary location and view that location specific app. So there are 3 different ways to change your store location and all of these methods work, whether you are using iTunes on a computer or on an iPad, iPhone or iPod.
Permanently Change Store Location
This method should only really be used if you’ve actually moved to a new location. Lets say you are moving from the UK to Canada. All you really need to do is log into your Apple ID account and change your location. You’ll need to update your address, and payment information. On a Mac or PC open iTunes and go to the iTunes Store page. Click on the “Account” link under “Quick Links”. Log into your account if it asks you to and click on “Change Country or Region”. You can also change your location while in the App Store, just like you would in the iTunes Store.
Switch Store Location with a New Apple ID
In order to create a new Apple ID account you need to either have an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch with iOS 5 or later, or a Mac with OS X Lion (10.7.4) or later. Setting up a new Apple ID account (iCloud email address) is super easy. On an iOS device, go to Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendars -> Add Account -> Tap on the iCloud button. Here you’ll be given the choice to log into your current iCloud or “Get a Free Apple ID” account. Once you tap the “Get a Free Apple ID” button, you’ll be required to enter the standard profile information to create the account. When you get to the area where you are required to enter in your location, simply choose whichever location you desire. You may be required to enter in a zip code (postal code), if you can’t think of a proper zip code for the location you want to add just go to google and type in something like “US zip codes”. Now lets say you wanted to download an app with a new location specific Apple ID account. Since it’s an app you’d go to the App Store, log out of your current account, then log into your new location specific account. Once you successfully log in, an alert will pop-up saying, “This Apple ID is only valid for purchases in the U.S. [your desired location] iTunes Store. You will be switched to that Store”. On a Mac go to Settings -> Mail, Contacts & Contacts -> click iCloud -> Create Apple ID.
Temporarily Change iTunes Store Location
This method is handy when you simply want to view an app or iTunes Store item. You can’t download the item with this method, you can only view it. To download the item, use one of the above methods. Open up iTunes on your computer and go to the iTunes Store page. At very bottom of the page on the right hand side is an icon. The icon will represent your current Country or Region, click on this little icon to bring into view all the other locations that you can view. From this window you can choose from quite a few different locations from all over the world. Once you click a location you will be automatically logged out of your currently store location.
I did not move but ever since Apple reached their 10 billion downloads I have gotten the message that I need to change from the U.S. Store to the Canadian store. I did not change any settings, I just tried to update some old apps when I got the message. Can anyone explain what has happened and/or how to fix the problem. I was initially trying to download an app when the count came close to 10 billion. Did Apples trying to establish who had the 10 billionth app purchase effect this? The app purchase never went through so I find myself wondering if it was related to the contest. It seems coincidental because I had downloaded one successfully just prior to trying to download the one that did not download.
Did anyone else have this problem?
Lynne
I haven’t heard of anyone else having this problem, however the winner of the 50 billionth download was Brandon Ashmore from Mentor, Ohio.
I have the same exact problem. :/
Yes i have
I have the same problem. When I am updating, it says that I must chsnge to UK store, although I have not changed any settings. Any help?
Which app is it that’s causing the issue. Maybe it’s no longer available from your current location.
Hi Damien, it was Adobe Reader, but I went into to change location option, chose another country, then went back to the U K option, and it resolved itself. regards. John
Hi Damien,
Just wondering, I am in USA, I have one particular app that is not available in USA apple store. So if I create a new apple ID and say I use location in New Zealand……. Once I download the app, using my new ID, would I b able to go back to USA store and stay there…..and still use the app that I downloaded from NZ store along with other apps from USA store?
Yes, you would be able to do exactly that. That is the method I use to get apps that aren’t available in Canada (where I am).
Ohhhh wonderful, you made my life even more fun lol……. ThankQ thankQ thankQ
Heya,
I just tried creating a new apple I’d but it never asked me for my location. I filled the other basic info, but wasn’t asked where I live. How can I create a new apple id with a new location, instead of another id within the same country?
Thanks
Also, how do you sign in/ sign out of different apple ids on your iPad?
Yeah, I’m stuck on this as well. I’m trying to download a digital copy of a movie that was only available in Canada, when I try and get to the Canadian store I have to put in a Canada address and stuff. Is there a way around this or….. I’m stuck :(
All you need to do is enter a Canadian address and #. You can find that on Google.
Thanks, good advice
How can I get on a page to change my password I have a canadian account but how to contact someone to help change my password and what ever else help I need.
Hey Jim, there are many ways to change your Apple ID password. If you’re on an iOS device, open the App Store or ITunes Store app, scroll to the bottom, tap on your Apple ID and change your password.
On a computer you can log into icloud.com and change your password there.
hey there
i have an account on my previous location where I live (Dubai) and i have too many apps on my iphone and Ipad , i moved to us and i would like to change to us store , you said above that you need to re download to be able to update apps then re download will be free for purchased ones
It requires an address and a telephone number to match billing location. Ok, so I don’t have a uk tel # (I’m in Canada too), and does that mean I can’t buy any apps from the uk store anyhow? This would be great if those two problems were addressed.
Hello Jacque, any address and phone # in UK works. For that Google is your friend. Here let me get that for you: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=uk+address+and+phone+number