Unable to Change App Store Country Due to Small Remaining Balance

Hello. I am writing to request your assistance with an issue preventing me from changing the country/region in my App Store account.

The system blocks me from completing the change because I have a small, unusable balance remaining in my account. The amount is so minimal that it is insufficient for any purchase in the store, yet it prevents me from updating my region.

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on how to resolve this. Could you please help me clear this remaining balance or suggest an alternative solution so I can proceed with changing my country setting?

Thank you for your time and support.

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Dec 16, 2025 11:05 AM

Reply
1 reply

Dec 16, 2025 11:12 AM in response to Yilich

I see you want to empty your account balance. This is not something the people on this forum—other users like yourself—can do for you. There are TWO methods whereby you can achieve this. Method #1 is the simplest (you can do it yourself) and has the additional benefit that you get to use your money for something for yourself instead of donating it to Apple. In situations where you cannot contact Apple it may also be the only way you can empty the balance.


#1. If you still have a valid credit or debit card from your original country, you may purchase an item from the App or iTunes Stores for more than your balance. The remainder will be billed to your card, leaving you with nothing in your account balance. If Apple does not provide support in your old country, or you cannot contact Apple Support for your old country, this is the only solution for you.


#2. If you cannot do method #1, you can ask Apple Support to remove and keep the balance. Use https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0998&symptom_id=20198 or the contact link in the section “If you can’t spend the last of your Apple Account balance to make changes to your account” in this article --> Check your Apple Account balance - Apple Support . You may be able to get chat support.

Apple will keep the balance when using this method .


Alternatively give Apple a phone call. Find a list of telephone numbers at: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support . You will need to contact Support for the country to which your account is set, but the telephone numbers are not international, nor does Apple provide telephone support in all countries. For some countries look under “Other” listing at the end of the list.


If you can neither add a payment method nor contact Apple, your alternative is to create a new Apple Account. Avoid doing that if at all possible. It will cause a LOT of complications with your current account content.


When asking about this because you are changing regions, take a look at this article:

Change your Apple Account country or region - Apple Support

I’ll add that at the end of that article Apple advises, “If you don’t want to enter a payment method, wait until you're physically in your new country or region, then create a new Apple Account.” As mentioned earlier, avoid that if possible.


Unable to Change App Store Country Due to Small Remaining Balance

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