Unable to change App Store country/region

Question

Level 1

20 points

Unable to change App Store country/region

iPhone 11 iOS Version 18.0.1 won't change App Store from Australia to Switzerland?

Attempt 1: iPhone -> Settings -> my name (Apple Account, iCloud and more) -> Media and Purchases -> View Account -> Country/Region Australia -> Change Country or Region -> Switzerland -> Agree -> PAYMENT METHOD -> Credit/Debit Card -> International credit card registered in Australia entered -> error: Credit card number does not match credit card type. You have not completed the entire form.

Attempt 2: Browser -> account.apple.com -> something about changing country without selecting payment method (selected None) -> changes to Switzerland -> try to download a Swiss app on the Swiss Apple Store and error: Account Not In This Store Your account is not valid for use in the Swiss store. You must switch to the Australian store before purchasing. Change Store or Cancel. -> Change Store takes me back to the Attempt1 steps with the same circular error.

Attempt 3: Browser -> icloud.com -> log in -> shows no options to change Apple Store country.

Attempt 4: Browser -> Apple support -> chat support encountered the same errors and suggested to call.

Attempt 5: iPhone -> called Apple Support on 0800 001 853 and 0800 801 078 and fails to connect.

Attempt 6: Browser -> Apple support -> chat support no longer available, only phone 0800 801 078 which fails to connect.

Attempt 7: would like to book a Genius Appointment in store, but unable to contact Apple via Chat Support or call 0800 801 078.

Attempt 8: unable to register a Swiss credit/debit card until downloading the online Swiss bank app, which is only on the Swiss App Store.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 11

Posted on Nov 2, 2024 3:03 AM

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Answer 1

Jeff Donald

Level 7

23,719 points

Nov 3, 2024 5:30 AM in response to eiger3970

Check for Apple Account funds using the information and link in the Apple Support article I linked below.

Check your Apple Account balance – Apple Support

It might also be related to the way Revolut handles Foreign Transaction Fees.

>>International payments

For payments in the recipient country's local currency, there's a variable fee of 0.3% of the transfer value. For payments in other currencies, there's a flat minimum fee that varies by currency. You can use the "Pay All Fees" feature to pay a flat upfront fee instead of the standard international payment fee.<<

Issues like this are why Apple requires a local payment method.

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Answer 2

Limnos

Level 10

418,315 points

Nov 2, 2024 2:04 PM in response to eiger3970

To me it is sounding like the system does not like you using an Australian card as the payment method for an account set to Switzerland and is preventing you from changing country. Although Apple nowhere outright state that the card must come from the same country it is broadly accepted it must. Or at least it may be that or something more subtle such as the card being billed to you at an address in Switzerland.

You are not the first to have posted about this issue and basically Apple doesn't not support multiple country usage of its accounts. The only real solution is for you to have a payment method that passes the requirements for it to be accepted and to have a second device or a computer with a second account where you can use a separate account completely independently of your other device. The other account is set to Switzerland which may require you to have a mailing address in Switzerland, possibly a Swiss telephone number, etc.

I haven't looked up all those numbers but generally for support from Apple you need to be in the country for your store setting and use the number for that country. Don't try a Swiss number in Australia.

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

418,315 points

Nov 3, 2024 4:51 AM in response to eiger3970

Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support

Switzerland

Most credit and debit cards
Apple Account balance6 (from redeeming Apple Gift Card or adding funds)
Mobile phone billing5,6,11
- Sunrise
- Swisscom

Apple doesn't list specific card types; probably because there are too many. I am not familiar with Revolut but it could well be not one of those accepted.

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Answer 4

eiger3970 Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 2, 2024 8:22 PM in response to Katana-San

Same instructions in English as the German text linked in post Nov 2, 2024 3:23 AM.

Cannot proceed further than the error as per Attempt 1 error.

Apple phone support suggested funds on the Apple account may block the country change, however I am unable to verify any funds on the Apple account. If any Apple account funds can be found somehow?, then I could spend the funds on some app to clear out this potential block.

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Answer 5

eiger3970 Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 2, 2024 8:30 PM in response to Limnos

I live in Switzerland now with a Swiss address and telephone number.

I deleted the old Australian debit card from the Apple account and added an international debit card I set up whilst in Australia (Revolut). The Revolut card works in Switzerland, however this may or may not be upsetting Apple's software process.

Catch22 is that the Swiss bank is an online bank only, so I need to download the bank app to obtain the Swiss debit card. Perhaps a work around is to use another person's phone to download the online only Swiss bank app, set up the Swiss debit card, then enter the Swiss debit card into my phone and re-attempt changing the App Store country?

FYI, I used another person's phone to call into Apple support, but they suggested funds on the Apple account may be blockcing the App Store country change. I cannot verify anywhere for funds on the account, so I may have to call Apple support again to verify this.

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