April 26, 2025

iPhone Language & Region Settings: Full Customization Guide 2025

Your iPhone is designed to adapt to your location and language preferences, making it feel personal and intuitive. Whether you’ve moved to a new country, want to access apps from another region, or simply prefer using your device in a different language, this guide will walk you through every step.

We’ll cover everything from changing your App Store region to troubleshooting common errors—all explained in simple, easy-to-follow terms. Let’s get started!

Why Change Your iPhone’s Language or Region?

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why you might want to adjust these settings:

  • Traveling or moving abroad: Access local apps, services, and payment methods.
  • Language preferences: Use your iPhone in your native language or practice a new one.
  • App availability: Some apps or features are only available in specific regions.
  • Content formats: Adjust date, time, and number formats to match your region.

These changes affect both your system settings (like date formats) and your Apple ID (like App Store content). Let’s explore how to customize both!

Part 1: How to Change Your App Store Region

Changing your App Store region lets you download apps and content available in other countries. For example, if you’re studying abroad in Japan, you might want to access Japanese apps.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Tap “Country/Region” under your Apple ID details.
  3. Select “Change Country or Region” and pick your new location.
  4. Agree to the terms, then enter a valid payment method and billing address for the new region.

Prerequisites

Before changing regions, you must:

  • Cancel active subscriptions (e.g., Apple Music, iCloud+):
    Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions.
  • Spend your Apple ID balance:
    Open the App Store, tap your profile, and check your balance under “Add Money to Account.”
  • Leave Family Sharing groups:
    Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Family Sharing → Leave Group.

Note: Some regions allow you to select “None” as a payment method, but others require a local credit card.

Part 2: Changing Your iPhone’s System Language & Region

This adjusts system-wide formats like date, time, and keyboard language. Unlike the App Store region, this doesn’t affect your Apple ID.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Go to Settings → General → Language & Region.
  2. Tap “iPhone Language” to choose a new language.
  3. Tap “Region” to update your location (e.g., United States, France).
  4. Restart your iPhone to apply changes.

What Changes?

  • Date & time formats: For example, switching from MM/DD/YYYY (U.S.) to DD/MM/YYYY (Europe).
  • Keyboard layouts: Some languages add special characters (like é or ñ). Learn more about adjusting these in our guide to iPhone keyboard settings.
  • Measurement units: Miles vs. kilometers, Fahrenheit vs. Celsius.

Part 3: Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. “Unable to Change Country/Region” Error

If you’re stuck, check these fixes:

  • Cancel subscriptions: Even a free trial blocks region changes.
  • Spend Apple ID credit: You can’t switch regions with leftover balance.
  • Disable VPNs: Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management to turn them off.

For more help managing subscriptions, visit our Ultimate iPhone Settings Guide.

2. “This App Is Not Available in Your Country”

If an app won’t download:

  • Match your Apple ID and system regions: Inconsistent settings confuse the App Store.
  • Check Date & Time settings: Go to Settings → General → Date & Time → Set Automatically.
  • Use a local payment method: Some apps require a card from the selected region.

Part 4: How Region Settings Affect Other Features

Siri’s Language

Changing your system language also updates Siri’s accent and vocabulary. To customize further, explore Siri settings for voice options and commands.

App Compatibility

Some apps (like banking or streaming services) may not work if your region doesn’t match your account. Contact the app’s support team for help.

Family Sharing Limitations

Family Sharing groups must share the same region. If you leave a group, you’ll lose access to shared purchases until you rejoin.

Pro Tips for Students and Travelers

  • Use eSIMs for cellular data: Avoid roaming charges while abroad.
  • Download offline maps: Navigate new cities without Wi-Fi.
  • Backup before changing regions: Use iCloud or a computer to save data.

For more tips on managing storage and updates, check out iPhone General Settings Explained: Updates, Storage.

FAQ: iPhone Language & Region Settings

1. Why can’t I change my App Store region? It says I have an active subscription.

Answer: Your Apple ID must have no active subscriptions, trials, or balances to switch regions. To fix this:

  • Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions and cancel any active plans.
  • Spend leftover Apple ID credit under App Store → Profile → Add Money to Account.
  • Leave Family Sharing groups (Settings → [Your Name] → Family Sharing).
    For more help managing subscriptions, visit our guide to iPhone settings.

2. Will changing my iPhone’s system language also change the App Store region?

Answer: No! The system language (Settings → General → Language & Region) only affects your device’s menus and formats. The App Store regionis tied to your Apple ID. You can have your iPhone set to Spanish while your App Store remains in the United States.

3. How do I use an app that’s not available in my country?

Answer: First, ensure your Apple ID region matches where the app is available (see Part 1 of this guide). If it still doesn’t work:

  • Double-check your system region (Settings → General → Language & Region).
  • Disable VPNs (Settings → General → VPN & Device Management).
    Still stuck? Learn how to troubleshoot connectivity issues like VPN conflicts.

4. Can I access my old apps after changing regions?

Answer: Yes, but updates may stop if the app isn’t available in your new region. To re-download old apps:

  • Temporarily switch your Apple ID back to the original region.
  • Note: You’ll lose access to Family Sharing purchases if your family’s regions don’t match.

5. What happens if my system region and Apple ID region are different?

Answer: This can cause confusion! For example:

  • Apps might show prices in the wrong currency.
  • Siri may use conflicting date/time formats.
  • Some services (like Apple Pay) may not work.
    Always keep both regions aligned unless you have a specific reason to separate them. For help fixing mismatches, revisit the troubleshooting section of this guide.

Conclusion

Customizing your iPhone’s language and region settings is simple once you know the rules. Always check for active subscriptions, Apple ID balances, and Family Sharing ties before making changes. If you’re traveling or learning a new language, these tweaks help your iPhone adapt to your lifestyle.

For more tips on mastering your device, explore our guides on keyboard settings or managing date and time formats.