How To Switch App Store Region While Using Your Balance

How to Change Your App Store Region Without Losing Your Balance (or With Less Headache)

So, here’s where I got stuck — trying to switch my App Store region without losing my remaining account balance. Turns out, Apple’s pretty strict about this, and even if you’re ready to move, they’ll block you if you still have leftover funds. Honestly, it’s kinda annoying, but I finally managed to sort it out, so sharing this in case it helps someone else. Just a heads-up: this took me a few tries, and the process can feel a bit wonky depending on your iOS version and country. Still, the main issues are pretty consistent.

Finding the Profile Settings on Your iPhone

First off, open your App Store app. That’s step one—if you’re on iOS, it’s usually where everything starts. Tap on your profile icon, which is in the top right—sometimes it’s an avatar, or just initials, depending on your settings. Once you’re in there, you should see options related to your account. If for some reason it’s not obvious, you can also get to your Apple ID via Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases. If you’re on iPad or some older device, the navigation might be a little different but similar enough.

Accessing Your Apple ID & the Regional Settings

Tap on your Apple ID at the top, then pick “View Apple ID.” Here, of course, you’ll need to authenticate—Face ID, Touch ID, or just your password. If “View Apple ID” isn’t directly visible, sometimes you have to scroll down or go through Settings > [Your Name] > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > View Apple ID. It’s surprisingly inconsistent sometimes, but you’ll get there.

Switching the Country or Region

Scroll to find “Country/Region” — here’s the key spot. Tap on “Change Country or Region” and you’ll see a list of countries. Pick the new one you want. The interface might say you have to go through a confirmation process, accept terms, and set up a new payment method for that country. Keep in mind, this is where I ran into a snag — because, if you have any leftover balance, Apple just won’t let you do it. It flat-out blocks the change until your account balance is zero.

Why You Can’t Switch With a Balance Left

This one was frustrating at first — Apple makes you spend or clear out your balance first. Even on the latest iOS versions, I’ve seen it refuse a region change if there’s even a tiny leftover cent. They want you to actually use up every dollar or cents before proceeding. It’s likely to prevent issues with digital content, licensing, or refunds, but man, is it a pain. So, knowing this upfront saved me some headaches.

Getting Rid of Your Remaining Balance

If you’re stuck, your best bet is to spend that balance. Sometimes I buy a cheap app, movie, or song just to zero it out. If the balance is really tiny—like a couple cents—you might try to redeem a gift card or promotional code for that amount. Or, buy a free app and then cancel if needed, to trigger the auto-update of the balance. Another trick is trying to purchase an in-app item worth the exact remaining amount. But honestly, sometimes it’s trial and error—because Apple doesn’t always update your balance immediately.

Contactting Apple Support if All Else Fails

If you’re really stuck—say, your balance is tiny but stubborn, or just won’t clear—your next move should be to reach out to Apple Support. They can sometimes remove the remaining credit. A lot of folks have had luck doing this, especially if you explain you’re moving abroad or switching regions. To do that, visit support.apple.com, go to “Apple ID,” then “Billing & Subscriptions,” and choose “Contact Support.” Be ready with your Apple ID info and a clear explanation why you need the balance removed. It might take a chat, phone call, or live support session, but it’s often quicker than trying to babysit the balance yourself.

Repeating the Region Change After Clearing Your Balance

Once your account balance is zero, go back and repeat the process: Settings > Your Name > Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region. Select the new country, agree to the terms, and add a valid payment method for that region. It’s best to use a local bank card or PayPal account tied to that country if possible. Sometimes, the interface prompts you for a billing address—make sure it makes sense for the country chosen. Also, expect to log out and log back in or restart your device for the changes to fully take effect.

It’s kind of a pain trying to get all these moving parts to align, especially because Apple’s menus change subtly with updates. But once you do it right, your App Store should reflect the new country, showing local content and prices. Just remember—they typically lock you out of changing the region again for 90 days if you go back, so pick your new country carefully.

In the end, the main thing to remember is: spend or clear your balance first. If that’s blocked, calling Apple Support can save the day. The process might seem complicated, especially with interface quirks I’ve run into, but patience pays off. Double-check you’ve used up your balance, have a new payment method ready for the new country, and be prepared for some trial-and-error.

Hope this helped — it took me way too long to figure it out, honestly. Good luck, and hopefully your region change goes smoothly now!