If you are trying to redeem an iTunes gift card from a different country, the first thing you have to do is change the country or region of your Apple ID. However, this process is not just a simple click. If you are not used to this then it can be very confusing. Apple has very strict rules about changing your country.
In this guide, you will get to know about how your iTunes gift card region and your Apple ID region are connected. You will get to learn how you can safely and easily switch your Apple ID country without losing any data and what will happen after you do that. If you don’t have one yet, you can easily buy Apple iTunes gift card from LootBar.
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Why Your Country Matters
There are a lot of things that depend on your Apple ID’s country, like which version of the App Store you use, which apps you can access, what prices you see, and what types of payments you can use for making purchases. Gift cards are also locked by region. This means that if you buy a gift card in one country you can redeem it only in that country’s store or if your Apple ID is from the same country.
The most important thing you need to know before switching your country/region is that if you have any credits left in your account then you cannot make the switch until you have used up all your balance. If you have any balance left then you will be blocked from changing your country/region.
Mandatory Requirements Before Switching Regions
Apple has very strict rules about what you need to do first before you can change your Apple ID’s country. These rules may seem pretty annoying to you but these help to prevent incomplete billing cycles, content rights conflicts, and leftover financial obligations under your old region.
- Spend Your Remaining Apple ID Balance: Even if you have a very small amount of balance left in your account it will still block your switch. If your balance is so low that you can’t buy anything with that then you have to contact Apple Support and ask them to clear that balance manually.
- Cancel Active Subscriptions: If you have any active subscriptions under your Apple ID like App Store, iCloud+ or Apple Music, you have to cancel them first. You have to wait until your active subscription period ends and only then you will be able to cancel your subscription.
- Complete Rentals, Pre-Orders, and Pending Purchases: If you have any movie rentals, preorder items, season passes, or any item waiting for release, you have to remove them first. After that you have to wait until the refunds have been processed.
- Provide a Valid Payment Method for the New Region: After you switch you have to choose a payment option that is valid in the new country. If the new payment method doesn’t work in the new country then your account may get suspended by Apple.
- Re-Download Important Purchases Before Switching: Some items like apps, movies, TV shows, or books you bought earlier may not exist in the new country’s store. To prevent any inconvenience you can download anything you want to keep access to once again before switching regions.
These requirements can seem a bit frustrating if you are just trying to enjoy your iTunes gift card but you bought one from the wrong country. To avoid these situations always try to buy gift card iTunes from a trusted source only.
How to Change Your App Store Country/Region
Changing Region on iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings.
- Tap your name and then select Media & Purchases.
- Tap View Account and sign in if needed.
- Tap Country/Region.
- Select Change Country or Region.
- Choose the new country.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Enter a valid payment method and billing address for the new country.
Changing Region on Mac
- Open Apple Music or Apple TV.
- Select Account and then Account Settings and then sign in if needed.
- Select Change Country or Region.
- Choose the new country and accept the terms.
- Add a valid payment method and billing address for the new region.
Changing Region Through a Browser
- Visit account.apple.com and sign in.
- Open Personal Information.
- Select Country/Region.
- Follow the instructions given and then enter valid billing details for the new region.
What Happens After You Change the Country
When you switch regions/countries your data will not be deleted. But some things may be different afterwards. Let us talk about changes you can expect.
- Your old purchase history will stay the same. However, you may not be able to download some items if they are not available in the new region.
- If you have any leftover balance from the previous country then it will be permanently tied to that store and you cannot use it after switching.
- Some media services, plans, or subscriptions are different in different countries. You may need to subscribe once again if the same service exists in the new region.
- You have to use cards or billing methods supported in the new country from now on.
- If you join or create a Family Sharing group, all members have to use the same country setting.
Additional Tips
- Using a Second Apple ID for Travel: If you want to change your region or country only to access some content then you can create a separate Apple ID for that region. You can then sign into the App Store with that ID and access your desired content.
- App Availability: There may be some apps that are very popular in your current country but don’t even exist in the new country. Carefully check all compatibility details before switching.
- Backup and Re-Download: Always re-download essential apps and media while you are still in your current region so that you can get permanent access afterward.
Conclusion
You can easily change your Apple ID country if you follow the rules and prepare everything properly. Just clear your balance, cancel subscriptions, and use a valid payment method. After switching, some apps or services may change, but your main data will stay safe and accessible.
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