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I recently moved countries and had to update my billing address in iTunes (change of full address and credit card info). This went fine, no problems whatsoever. It also meant that I had to change App Stores.

Unfortunately in this process all items from my Purchased list disappeared. If only they're not listed, I don't much care for it, but I'd like to know whether I won't be charged again when I want to update them which would essentially mean re-buying the apps.

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Have you tried logging in again with the new email? – user6124 Jul 20 '11 at 10:01
Yup. No luck. :( – Michal M Jul 20 '11 at 10:05
Hmmm, sounds weird. I changed my email address before but never came across this problem – user6124 Jul 20 '11 at 10:06
Try changing the country back to the original one, and see if it works – user6124 Jul 20 '11 at 10:09
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I don't think it's the country that causes it. Might try setting the old email address as the primary one (and login), but don't want to mess things up. Thought I'd ask here first if anyone had ever done that. – Michal M Jul 20 '11 at 10:14
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2 Answers

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In the past you couldn't do this without contacting support. I don't know when Apple changed iTunes on the computers, but you can simply sign in to your account and switch countries as long as you are not enrolled in iTunes Match or carrying a balance on your current store. Cancel or spend down as needed and then you can start the process of switching.

I do not recommend anyone switch countries lightly - there are serious downsides like no longer getting re-downloads, app updates, and general confusion from support since an account that started in one country and migrated to another is an edge case that breaks many assumptions about how the app store works (and doesn't work).

iTunes screen to change your country or region for purchases

Also, I feel the need to reiterate, I do not recommend most people to ever switch an account with any apps you are not ready to simply repurchase to another country.

Losing app updates in the future is hard to guess and this switch is quite disruptive - moreso than juggling two accounts on one device in my experience.

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Already contacted Apple Support. I really hope there is a good solution as I'm sure I'm not the only one in the world to be affected. – Michal M Jul 20 '11 at 13:36
You will have several options - new account is a bad option IMHO - and they can't suspend all past purchases when you move. It's just whether you need a human's help each time you move (to prevent people from gaming the rules continually) or you can simply do it once every 90 days is the nub of the issue. Please let us know! The store people are going to be REALLY BUSY so it might take a while for an answer. Ask again if you don't get an answer in a few days. – bmike♦ Jul 20 '11 at 13:41
Exactly, I wish I asked Apple last week. This is going to defer me buying Lion until the question is clearly answered. – Michal M Jul 20 '11 at 14:11
It doesn't look good at the moment. Safal from iTunes Customer Support kindly told me that "after I change countries in my account, I won't be able to upgrade the content I purchased while my account was set to the previous country", this is with regards to iTunes music. He also said: "The content from the App Store is also country-specific. If you wish to upgrade any of your applications, please do so before changing countries". This is simply unacceptable and I've already replied expressing my "unhappiness" with the resolution (or its lack in fact). – Michal M Jul 22 '11 at 21:59
Oh dear - I had hoped it would be more flexible. I would certainly take a week and let things sink in. I would also probably ask for a name and a postal address to send a letter so it's clear you understand the limitations. If you really get cut off from updates on the apps bought when you switch geo, that would make me think long and hard before switching. I could see keeping two accounts on my mac if I needed to buy some new apps in the new country - but would try to maintain a link to the old account forever. Thanks for sharing - i had no idea how this DRM and store might restrict moving. – bmike♦ Jul 22 '11 at 22:15
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So... unfortunately the answer is...

Yes, but there are ways around it...

All the apps you bought in country A are permanently assigned to your AppleID. Once you move to country B and you updated your details (billing address) you:

  • still can use them
  • you cannot re-download them
  • you cannot update them
  • you cannot convert your music to iTunes Plus (but still can listen, obviously)

There are two solutions to this:

  1. Switch Store's country and update your billing details each time you want to get your apps up to date (or re-download them). But this is a rather painful process, so a better solution is to...
  2. Create a new AppleID with the billing details for the country B. Switching between AppleIDs is much easier and quicker than switching Store's country and updating your billing address.

Let me quote why it has to be this way:

[...] this how iTunes has been designed.

So. It's gonna be problematic, but nothing can be done really. :(

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