Follow this guide to learn how to change your Apple Store country or region on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

What should you do before you change your App Store country?

Before you make the required changes in the App Store and native Apple apps, here’s a checklist you need to adhere to strictly.

• You need to cancel all subscriptions within the App Store and iTunes, including Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and Apple News+, and wait until their expiration period.
• If you have store credit remaining on your Apple ID, spend it before changing the country or region. Also, if you have less store credit than a single item’s cost, you can contact Apple Support.
• Wait till your Season Passes, movie rentals, or memberships end. Also, if you’ve applied for a store credit refund, wait till it’s approved.
• You’ll also have to leave the subscription you’ve been using via a Family Sharing group.
• Ensure that you’ve already occupied payment methods for that country.
• Back up all your apps, books, and media services to another device or cloud service. The content you use in your current country may not be available in another.

How to change your App Store country or region

Changing your App Store country is pretty easy once you’ve taken care of the prerequisites listed above. It only takes a few steps whether you prefer to use your iPhone or Mac.

How to change Apple Store country or region on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your Apple ID → Media & Purchases. 
3. Choose View Account from the drop-down list. 
   
   
4. You will be asked to sign in.
5. Tap Country/Region → Change Country or Region. 
6. From the country list, choose your new country or region. Review the Terms and Conditions. 
7. Tap Agree, appearing in the upper-right corner → tap Agree again to confirm. 
   
   
8. Pick your preferred payment method → enter the payment details and billing address.  
9. Tap Next.

That’s it! Upon entering a valid local payment method, you will have changed your App Store’s country and region!

How to change Apple Store country or region on Mac

1. Launch Music app or iTunes on your Mac.
2. Click Account → Account Settings.
   
   
3. Fill in your Apple ID and password → Sign In.
4. On the Account Information page, go to Change Country or Region option.
   
   
5. Pick your new country/region from the list.
   
   
6. Read the Terms & Conditions → select Agree.
   
   
7. Tap Agree to confirm.
   
   
8. Provide the new payment details and billing address.
9. Press Continue.

Voila, you’ve changed your location on the App Store!

How to change Apple ID country or region from Web browser

1. Open a browser on your computer and visit appleid.apple.com. 
2. Sign in by providing your Apple ID and Password.
3. Enter the verification code you receive on another Apple device that uses the same Apple ID.
4. Choose Personal Information.
   
   
5. Click Country/Region → Change country/region.
   
   
   
   
6. Enter your preferred payment method for your new country to check its accessibility.
7. Fill in the details and click Update.
   
   

If you want to avoid providing a payment method, wait until you have reached your new country or region. Then, create a new Apple ID.

Video: How to Change App Store Country or Region on iPhone

Can’t change your App Store country or region?

Are you having problems changing the country or region on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you out.

Wrapping up! 

With this handy guide, we tried giving you a step-by-step walk-through. You can now enjoy apps, music, services, and games connected with your Apple ID in the new country.

If you still have any issues with accomplishing the process, please feel free to communicate with us and drop your feedback in the comment section below.

Read more:

• How to Change Apple ID Payment Method on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• How to hide App Store purchases on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• iPhone keeps asking for Apple ID password (8 Ways to fix)

The post How to change your App Store country (2024 Guide) appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

If you want to know how to get rid of the “Verification Required” prompt when installing free apps, follow this guide.

Why does it say “Verification Required” on the App Store?

The “Verification Required” prompt on the App Store asks you to verify your payment info, preventing you from downloading apps on your iPhone.

Here are some of the potential reasons why you see a “Verification Required” popup whenever you launch the App Store:

• You’ve never used your Apple ID to download an app on your iPhone (whether paid or free)
• There is an error with the current payment method associated with your Apple ID, preventing Apple from charging you
• You have an unpaid balance or insufficient funds on the payment method associated with your Apple ID
• The saved payment method is not supported
• Your payment method has not been updated
• You’re under a Family Sharing account, and your Apple account is restricted

How to fix “Verification Required” on App Store

Now that you have an idea of what’s causing this message, let’s get into the solutions. Luckily, most of these fixes are quick and easy to follow.

1. Enter a payment method for your Apple ID

If you’re using a new Apple ID or have never downloaded an app under your existing ID, Apple requires you to fill in your payment details before you can download any apps on your iPhone—regardless of whether the app is free or paid.

1. In this case, enter your Apple ID password in the text field → Tap Continue.
   
   
2. Your device will redirect you to your billing information → Enter your payment details.
3. Once done, you should be able to begin downloading apps.

2. Change or update Apple ID payment method

If you were able to download an app on your iPhone previously but are now getting a “Verification Required” error on the App Store, there’s a good chance it’s because of an issue with your payment method.

If your credit or debit card has expired or there have been changes to your name or address, your financial institution may automatically update your card information.

This can lead to discrepancies between the newly updated card details and the payment information associated with your Apple ID, causing a mismatch that triggers the “Verification Required” error.

In this case, add a new card before removing the old one. To do this:

1. Go to Settings → Apple ID [your name] → Payment & Shipping.
   
   
2. Enter your passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID.
3. Your current payment information might open → Tap Back to go to Payment and Shipping.
4. Select Add Payment Method.
5. Fill in with the details and tap Done.
   
   

Once you have your new payment method, you can delete the old one with outdated information. 

What to do with declined/failed payments?

The Verification Required error can also occur when a payment fails or gets declined if your digital wallet or mobile phone billing doesn’t have enough balance.

Remember that the availability of payment methods depends on your country and region.

3. Pay any unpaid subscription dues

Your purchase may fail if you don’t have sufficient funds on your preferred payment method. In this case, a declined or payment failure will prompt your iPhone to show a “Verification Required” popup. So you can quickly update your payment method.

• To check if you have any unpaid subscriptions, head to Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions. Check if you have any subscriptions that require payment.
  
  
• Then go back to your Apple ID page, tap Media & Purchases → View Account → Purchase History.
  
  
• If you’ve hidden them, be sure to unhide your App Store purchases first. If you’ve made purchases you haven’t paid for yet, you’ll see an Amount You Owe in red under the app download or in-app purchase you made.

4. Disable App Store Restrictions

If you’re using Screen Time, it will restrict you from making purchases and downloading apps. Thus, you can fix the Verification Required error on the App Store. Here’s how you can turn it off:

1. Go to Settings. 
2. Select Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   If you don’t have this turned on, you can skip this solution.
3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
   
   
4. Ensure that Installing Apps and In-app Purchases are allowed.
   • Further, select Don’t Require under the Require Password section.
     
     

5. Agree to Terms and Conditions for Media & Purchases

It’s also possible that you skipped agreeing to the terms and conditions for purchases on the App Store. This may stop you from installing free apps or making purchases and cause the Verification Required popup to appear on the App Store.

1. Go to Settings → [your name] → Media & Purchases.
2. Tap View Account. 
   
   
3. If you haven’t agreed to the Terms and Conditions, you’ll see a popup asking you to review and approve them.

6. Sign out and sign in back to Apple ID

If none of the above methods worked and your payment information has no issues, the Verification Required error up may just be a glitch. Signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in can refresh it and flush out any bugs causing the glitch.

1. To sign out of your Apple ID, go to Settings → [your name]. 
2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
   
   
3. Restart your iPhone and sign back in.

Video: How to stop “Verification Required” when installing free apps

Download apps without verification!

There you have it. Since the Verification Required on the App Store is commonly a payment method issue, using one of the fixes listed above should stop the annoying popup when installing free apps.

Which one worked best for you? Share your experience below!

Read More:

• How to change App Store country or region
• How to fix “Cannot Connect to App Store” on iPhone or iPad
• How to fix App Store icon missing on iPhone or iPad

The post How to stop “Verification Required” when installing free apps appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

How to recover deleted apps on iPhone or iPad from App Store

Within the App Store, there is a My Apps section where you can access a comprehensive list of all the apps you have downloaded on your iPhone, including the ones you deleted. 

This App Store feature ensures that you can quickly find and reinstall the apps you previously had.

1. Open the App Store → Tap the Profile icon at the top right corner. 
2. Select Apps → Tap My Apps in the subsequent menu.
   
   
3. Here, you will see the list of all apps currently or previously installed on your iPhone. 
4. To see only the deleted apps, go to the Not on this iPhone tab. 
5. Now, locate the app you want to reinstall and tap the Cloud icon next to it. The app will get downloaded on your iPhone again.
   
   

Note: While most of the native apps do appear in the My Apps list, you may need to manually search the App Store for a few native apps like Mail or Journal app. 

How to find hidden deleted apps on iPhone or iPad

We all have secrets, whether in real life or in terms of the apps we have on our iPhones. And to help you with that, Apple allows you to hide the app purchases you once made on your iPhone.

Now, if you have deleted an app that was hidden in the Purchase History, you may not be able to find it in the My Apps list of the App Store.

So, to restore such apps, you will have to head to Apple ID settings.

1. Open Settings → Tap your Name and Photo (Apple ID) tab. 
2. Select Media and Purchases → Tap View Account from the pop-up.
   You might have to authenticate yourself using Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.
   
   
3. Here, scroll down and choose Hidden Purchases under the Downloads and Purchases section. 
4. Tap the Unhide button next to the desired app. 
5. On the App Store page that appears, tap the Cloud button to reinstall the app.
   
   

Alternatively, to reinstall deleted apps in Purchase History, you can manually search for them in the App Store as usual.

How to restore deleted apps using iCloud Backup on your iPhone or iPad

Another way to retrieve deleted apps with all the associated data and settings is to restore your iPhone from an iCloud Backup.

However, this method is only practically useful when you have backed up your iPhone before deleting the said apps and want to restore your iPhone to its previous state, ensuring that no apps are left behind.

Also, before you decide to restore iCloud Backup on your iPhone, a few cautions must be exercised:

• While you are restoring your iCloud Backup to get your previous data back, understand that this process will replace all your current data with the data from the iCloud backup. This means that any data or files modified after the backup was taken will be overwritten and lost. 
• Patience must be exercised while restoring iCloud backup as the process can take some time, depending on the size of the backup data and the internet speed.  
• Before you begin the restoration process, make sure that your iPhone has enough battery or is on charge. A low battery can disrupt the restoration process, resulting in data loss or leaving your iPhone unstable. 

How to find hidden apps in App Library

Though the chances are slim, completely ruling out this possibility would not be wise. If you can’t find the needed apps on your iPhone’s Home Screen, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have deleted them.

It is also possible that you might have hidden the app in folders or removed it from the Home Screen. 

Now the question arises, how do you find those hidden apps on iPhone? Well, it is pretty straightforward; all you need to do is check the App Library or make a Spotlight Search for that app, and it will appear. 

Apps revived! 

This is all you need to restore deleted apps on your iPhone or iPad. Whether you restore your apps from the App Store or use the iCloud backup to restore them is your decision. So, the next time you need to remember the name of a deleted app, do not fret, as this guide has you covered. 

If you still have questions or doubts, comment below, and I’ll happily respond.

The post How to restore deleted apps on iPhone or iPad in iOS 17 appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Hide purchases from App Store on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

The steps to hide purchases on iPhone and Mac are quite straightforward. I have detailed them below:

On iPhone or iPad

1. Launch App Store on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile icon.
3. Access the Purchased option.
   Locate the app you seek to hide the purchase history for.
4. Swipe the app to the left until the Hide option appears.
5. Tap Hide to conclude the process.
   
   

On Mac

1. Launch the App Store app on your Mac → Click on the profile icon at the bottom left.
   
   

2. Hover over the app of your choice and click the three-dot icon next to it.

3. Select the Hide Purchase option.
   
   

4. Finally, click Hide Purchase when to complete the process.
   
   

How to unhide App Store purchases on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Now, in case you have changed your mind and want to find the hidden purchase on the App Store, do the following:

On iPhone or iPad

1. Launch the App Store → Tap the profile icon.
2. Select your Apple ID.
3. If prompted, enter the password of your account.
   
   
4. Upon verification, scroll down to Hidden Purchases under DOWNLOADS AND PURCHASES.
   You’ll be to access every hidden purchase in one place.
5. Simply hit Unhide next to the app, and you’re good to go.
   
   

On Mac

1. Navigate to the App Store → Profile icon → Account Settings.
   
   
2. Enter your Apple ID and Password.
3. Click Sign In to proceed.
   
   
4. Now click the Manage option in the Hidden Items section.
   
   
5. Choose an application you desire to Unhide and hit Done.
   
   

Prevent and protect!

I hope you have now learnt how to hide dating apps, VPNs, or other purchases you have made on the App Store.

Do you have any further queries regarding the App Store? If yes, do share them in the comments below. I’ll respond ASAP!

Read more:

• How to change App Store country or region on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• Ways to fix “Cannot Connect to App Store” on iPhone or iPad
• How to cancel downloads and updates from Mac App Store

The post How to hide App Store purchases on iPhone, iPad, and Mac appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

No matter how many times you sign in to your account, a pop-up keeps appearing asking you to sign in to your account. And every time you do that, it gets you back to the drawing board – sign into your account. I know how annoying I have been in a similar situation. I will lead you out of it step by step in this article.

• Why does my App Store keep saying verification failed?
• How to fix the verification loop issue on Mac App Store
  1. For the first-time user
  2. Haven’t made any purchase from the App Store
  3. Missing the billing information from your account
  4. Don’t have payment information in your account
• How to stop ‘Verification Required’ for free Mac apps downloads

Why does my App Store keep saying verification failed?

Several factors contribute to this error. Mainly it’s related to your Apple account that you use to log into the Mac App Store. More than half of the time, the reason for its occurrence could be that you:

• are new to the Apple Ecosystem, and this is the first time you have ever logged into a Mac.
• haven’t made any purchases from App Store ever
• are missing billing information from the account
• don’t have payment information in your account

These are the basic and most common errors preventing you from installing an app from the App Store. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to all those problems. Keep reading to find out.

How to fix the verification loop issue on Mac App Store

Different problems require different solutions. Follow these guidelines to understand the exact problem you are facing and solve it accordingly.

1. For the first-time user

If this is the first time you are using any Apple device, you will be asked to create an Apple ID, which is mandatory to use any Apple product.

When you log in to your account for the first time, and your downloads are not working on your Mac App Store, perform the following steps.

1. Restart your Mac – This should delete the cache files and fix any temporary issues.
   
   
2. Log out and Log in to your account once – This could probably fix the issue.
   
   
3. Check the network connection – See if you’re connected to a working Wi-Fi. If not, that is what’s causing the issue.
   
   

2. Haven’t made any purchase from the App Store

If you have never made any prior purchase on Mac App Store and you are being prompted to log in or verify your Apple ID on loop, downloading a free app might resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it.

1. Log out of your device and log in again.
2. Open the App Store and go to any free app.
3. Click get the app and install it.
   
   
4. Try downloading other apps now.

If the given fix still doesn’t work, there are two more fixes listed below. You can give them a try.

3. Missing the billing information from your account

This is among the most common reason behind the ID verification loop. If you don’t have the billing information like address, name, etc., you can get stuck in the same repeating log-in loop. To get out of it, follow the below steps.

1. Open your Mac Settings.
2. Go to the Apple ID at the top right.
3. Click Payment and shipping on the left panel.
4. Click Edit under Shipping Address.
   
   
5. Fill in the given fields and tap Save.
   
   
6. Log out and back in to your Apple ID on Mac.

4. Don’t have payment information in your account

If you have tried all the above solutions and none of them worked, this fix will help. First, check if you have entered payment information in your account or not. If it’s missing, here are the steps to add it to your account.

1. Go to the Apple ID website and sign in to your account.
2. Click the Payments Method.
3. Go to Continue on the device.
   
   
4. Click the prompt with a link to View Details.
5. Next, fill in the Payment Methods and Shipping Details.
   
   
6. Log in and log out from your account.
7. Restart your Mac.

That’s it! I believe the above fixes helped you successfully resolve the verification loop issue. If they didn’t work, contact Apple Support. Further, if you want to remove the prompt asking you to sign in with Touch ID or password every time you download a free app, move on to the next section.

How to stop ‘Verification Required’ for free Mac apps downloads

1. Go to Settings on your Mac.
2. Click Apple ID at the top right.
3. Navigate to Media And Purchase.
4. Uncheck Use Touch ID for Purchase.
5. Select Never Require in Free apps.
   You can select Never Require for Purchase and In-app Purchases too, however, I don’t recommend it.
   
   

I hope one of these methods worked for you. Also, if you are facing this problem with your iPhone, check our explainer on how to stop the verification required on iPhone to download iOS apps.

If you found this article helpful, then don’t forget to share it. If you still face this problem or have another trick up your sleeve, let us know in the comments below.

You may also like:

• 15 Easy ways to free up space on your Mac
• How to partition Mac hard drive
• How to sync Notes from iPhone to Mac
• How to Set an Alarm on a Mac

The post How to fix the verification loop in the Mac App Store appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

If you find yourself in this shoe, then, like me, you can get your money restored and be back on track with your budget, thanks to Apple’s refund policy. Keep reading to see how you can get a refund on iTunes or App Store purchases

• When can you request a refund from iTunes or App Store
• How to request a refund from Apple
• Request a refund Via Mac or PC
• Ask for a refund on the iPhone or iPad
• How to check your Apple refund status

When can you request a refund from iTunes or App Store?

Apple is generous with refunds if you don’t break some rules. According to Apple, you can request a refund if:

• You don’t have pending payments or unpaid orders tagged to your debit card or Apple Pay Cash.
• Apple has approved the charge on the said service or app, and it’s no more pending.
• You mistakenly subscribed to a service or never intended to buy an app.
• Your kid purchased the service without your consent.
• Your purchase failed to work as you expected.

Apple may accept other reasons for requesting a refund. But the above are the standards. However, Apple might not refund if you request it 14 days after the purchase. Also, they might decline your request if they think it’s not valid or appears fraudulent.

And to add to this, you can refund in-app purchases only if you use iOS 15 and later. This is because previous iOS versions create a bottleneck as they don’t provide refund control for developers. 

So, it might be time to update your iOS version if you haven’t already.

How to request a refund from Apple

There are a few ways to request a refund of your iTunes or App Store purchases from Apple. You can do this on your iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, or Mac.

However, as of writing, the only way to request a refund from Apple is via a web browser like Safari or Google Chrome. The process is pretty much the same across all devices. But you’ll see how to go about it on mobile and computer.

So whatever device you choose will work, provided it has internet access and a web browser. And all you need is your Apple ID and password.

Request a refund via Mac or PC

First, open the Safari browser on your Mac computer or Google Chrome (if you’re using a PC). Next, go to Apple’s Report a Problem page and sign in with your Apple ID:

1. From the What can we help you with? dropdown, click Request a refund.
2. You’ll see a form with a Tell us more placeholder. Click it and select your reason.
3. Hit Next.
   You’ll see the apps and services you purchased earlier.
   
   
4. Now, click the service or app you want to get a refund.
   You can select multiple apps or services.
5. Click Submit.
   You’ll get a message confirming your refund request.
   
   

That’s it for the Mac or PC side!

Ask for a refund on the iPhone or iPad

1. Go to Report a problem via your Safari browser.
2. Sign in with your Face ID or Apple ID.
3. Next, tap the I would like to… dropdown → select Request a refund.
4. Select your reason from the Tell use more… dropdown.
5. Tap Next.
6. Scroll through the next page and select the services or apps you want to get a refund for.
7. Tap Submit.
   You’ll see a message confirming your request.
   
   

Apple will send you an email notifying you of the receipt of your request in either case. However, not to worry if you don’t get an email instantly, as it might take up to 48 hours for Apple to send a reply.

How to check your Apple refund status

You can check the refund status via your iPhone, Mac, iPad, PC, or Android. Once on Apple’s Report a problem page, click Check status of claims to track your refund. You’ll see the number of approved and pending items on this page.

FAQs

Requesting a refund for App Store or iTunes purchases is usually a smooth process if you abide by the rules. All you need is a little patience. However, Apple might decline a refund request sometimes due to stated reasons. You may contact Apple support if you feel cheated.

Did Apple approve your refund request? Feel free to share your experience in the comments section below.

Read more:

• Use your Apple Card for online or in-store purchases
• How to cancel subscriptions on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch
• How to request a refund for your Apple Developer Program fees

The post How to get a refund on iTunes or App Store purchases appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Mac App Store is where most of us download apps for our Mac. Hence, it becomes annoying when it suddenly stops working after an update or for some unknown reason. If the App Store isn’t working on your Mac running macOS Monterey, don’t worry! I’ve listed down tried and tested ways to fix the issue.

Note: If you’re unable to download any apps on the App Store, the problem could be your device’s storage. So, check if you have enough storage on your Mac.

1. Check internet connection
2. Ensure the date and time are correct
3. Check if Apple’s systems are working fine
4. Force quit and relaunch the App Store
5. Ensure Mac App Store is not restricted
6. Disable VPN
7. Restart your Mac
8. Sign out of Apple ID and back in
9. Use safe mode on Mac
10. Update your Mac
11. Create a new admin user on Mac
12. Contact Apple support

1. Check internet connection

Whenever you face any issue with an online service, check if you are connected to the internet or have a good connection. Restart your Wi-Fi, and see if you can use the App Store now. If the issue is not with your internet connection, it’s time to check the next method.

If your Wi-Fi isn’t working, you might want to go through our explainer to troubleshoot the issue.

2. Ensure the date and time are correct

If the date and time on your Mac are incorrect, you won’t be able to access any internet services, let alone the App Store. So, make sure you have set the date and time of your Mac properly. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click the Apple icon → System Preferences → Date & Time. 
   
   
2. Now, click the lock button below to unlock the preference pane.
3. Enter your password.
4. You will see two ways to change the date and time on Mac:
   • Automatic: Tick the Set date and time automatically check box and set the correct network time server.
   • Manual: Uncheck the Set date and time automatically and set the date and time on the calendar and clock.
5. After setting the time, click Save.
   
   

If you want to go back to the default time settings, go to Date & Time and click Revert. Other than that, if you want to change the Time zone on your Mac, you have to:

1. Go to Date & Time settings.
2. Select Timezone.
3. There are two options to set the timezone in Mac:
   • Automatic: Check the box next to Set time zone automatically using current location.
   • Manual: Uncheck Set time zone automatically using current location and select the timezone according to your region.
     
     

After setting the date and time, click the lock to lock the settings. But, if changing the date doesn’t help, try checking Apple’s servers.

3. Check if Apple’s systems are working fine

Not only when the App Store is not working on your Mac, but also whenever you face any issues with Apple services, the first thing you need to do is visit their Support Status page and see if their services are down.

There are different colors to indicate the status of a particular service. If the color is green, the service is working fine, and for anything else, you need to wait until Apple solves the issue. Check the color next to Mac App Store, and if it’s not green, wait until it’s fixed. There’s nothing much you can do. If it’s green, jump to the next method!

4. Force quit and relaunch the App Store

Since you cannot use the App Store, you better close it. But instead of closing normally, let’s force close it. For that, you can either use the shortcut Command ⌘ + Q. Or:

1. Click App Store next to the Apple icon at the top left.
2. Select Quit App Store.
   
   

Or, right-click the App Store icon from the dock and click Quit.

5. Ensure Mac App Store is not restricted 

If you have restricted the Mac App store before, you will face issues while using the app. So to solve this issue, we need to reverse it.

1. Go to System Preferences → Screen Time.
   
   
2. Click Content and Privacy.
3. Select Apps.
4. Turn on iTunes Store.
   
   

Congratulations! You have unrestricted the App Store on Mac. But if you are still unable to access the App Store, move on to the next method.

6.  Disable VPN

The Mac App Store may not work while using VPN. Turn off and check if you can access the store now. Since a VPN service changes the region, disable VPN and change the App Store region on Mac. Now, check if the App Store works.

7. Restart your Mac

We at iGeeksBlog use a magical spell called Restart when there’s anything wrong with our Mac or iPhone! A simple restart might help fix the App Store issue. Your Mac will clear all the cache files stored in the Ram when restarting.

While cache files help load apps faster, when they accumulate over time, they affect the proper working of some apps. It’s good to restart your Mac once in a while to avoid similar issues in the future.

8. Sign out of Apple ID and back in

Services like App Store might misbehave if the data is not synced properly. You can solve this issue by signing out and signing in to your Apple ID. When you do this, Apple will resync all your data and might solve the issue. To sign out from your Apple ID on Mac:

1. Click the Apple logo at the top left.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Click Apple ID and Sign out.
   
   

Next, select what information you want to copy to your device from iCloud. After completing the process, you will be signed out from your Apple ID on Mac. To sign in, follow the same path and instead of clicking Sign out at the end, click Sign in.

9. Use safe mode on Mac

The Safe mode is a secure version of macOS where it blocks most of the unnecessary background activities and only allows necessary services to run the OS. If any applications block the proper working of the Mac App Store, try opening the app in safe mode and see if it works.

To run intel-powered Macs in safe mode:

1. Start your Mac → press and hold the Shift key.
2. Release the shift key when the Login window appears.
3. Now, log in to your Mac.
4. If you have turned on FileVault, you may have to repeat the process to boot into Safe mode.

To Safe boot your M1-powered Macs and newer ones:

1. Press and hold the power button until you see the startup option.
2. Select your startup disk.
3. Press and hold the Shift key until you see the login screen.
4. Now, log in.

Try running the Mac App Store in safe mode and see if you face any issues.

10. Update your Mac

Are there any updates available for your Mac? If yes, it’s better to update your Mac since Apple tries to fix common issues reported by the community with each update. If Mac App Store is not working properly because of any macOS issues, an update may fix them. To check updates on Mac, you need to:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click System update.
3. If there is any update available, you will see the option to update. Click it.
   
   

Still not fixed? Let’s create another admin user on your Mac and see if that helps.

11. Create a new admin user on Mac

When you create a new user ID on your Mac, it acts the same as using Mac for the first time since you will only see the pre-installed services and apps. No apps or files on the previous user profile will influence the activities of this new user. Let’s check the steps for creating a new admin user on Mac:

1. Click the Apple icon at the top right.
2. Select System Preferences → Users & Groups.
   
   
3. Now, click the lock icon.
4. Enter the user ID password to unlock editing.
5. Now, click the plus icon below the users’ list to add a new user.
   
   
6. Add the necessary information for the user.
7. Then, click Confirm.

After creating the new user ID, login and see if the Mac App store is working. If it does, it means there are some files or apps on your primary user ID that blocks the app from working properly.

12. Contact Apple support

If none of the methods worked, you better contact Apple support. But before you go, try to manually update apps from the App Store and see if that helps.

Wrapping up…

Since App Store is where most people download the required apps for their Mac, it gets annoying when it won’t work. I hope this article helped resolve the issue. By the way, do you download apps outside the Mac App Store? Let me know in the comments below.

While you are here, check out our other guides…

• Bluetooth devices disconnecting on Mac? Here’s how to fix it
• Screenshot not working on Mac? 8 Quick fixes
• MacBook camera not working? Try these 11 fixes
• How to change or remove Font Smoothing on Mac

The post App Store not working on Mac? 12 Real fixes appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

1. Search for the App Store on your device
2. Disable Restrictions on the App Store
3. Reset Home Screen layout to restore the App Store
4. Reset All Settings on iPhone
5. Install the latest iOS update

1. Search for the App Store on your device

Sometimes, the App Store may have disappeared out of sight into a folder full of apps. Searching for it can be an easy way of locating it.

1. Swipe down on your iPhone Home screen
2. Tap the Search field and type ‘App Store.‘ See if it comes up in the results.
   If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.
   
   

2. Disable Restrictions on the App Store

If you can’t find the App Store on your iPhone after searching for it, you may have set up Restrictions preventing you from accessing it.

Follow the steps below to disable such Restrictions:

1. In iOS 12 and higher, go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   If you’re using iOS 11 or older, go to Settings → General → Restrictions.
2. When prompted, enter your four-digit Screen Time passcode.
   
   
3. Now, tap iTunes & App Store Purchases → Installing Apps.
   
   
4. Next, tap Allowed to enable installing apps on your iPhone.
   
   

These steps should restore the App Store icon. In case it doesn’t, try the tips below.

3. Reset Home Screen Layout to restore the App Store

This step will return your Home Screen to the default layout it had when you first set it up. Apps will not be deleted, but the stock apps will go back to their original placement on the Home screen.

1. Go to Settings → General → scroll down and tap Reset.
   
   
2. Select Reset Home Screen Layout.
   
   

4. Reset All Settings on iPhone

If you still aren’t able to locate the missing App Store icon, Reset All Settings. This will go a step further and restore all your device’s settings to default. This will not affect your documents, media, etc., stored on the device.

1. Go to Settings → General → Reset.
   
   
2. Now, tap Reset All Settings. When prompted, confirm the action. Once done, your iPhone or iPad will restart.
   
   

Now, try searching for the App Store again. You should be able to locate it.

5. Install the latest iOS update

If you still can’t see the App Store, make sure you have updated the latest version of iOS. Although rare, it could be the reason why you aren’t able to find the App Store.

To update, go to Settings → General → Software Update. If an update is available, you will see the option Download and Install. Tap it to install the update.

It’s best to keep your device’s software updated to ensure that things run smoothly.

Summing up!

So, which of these tips helped you restore the missing App Store icon on your iPhone or iPad? Let us know in the comments below.

You may also like to read:

• App Store’s updated policy: Everything you need to know
• How to report scam apps in the App Store on iPhone
• Complete list of stores that accept Apple Pay

The post App Store icon missing on iPhone or iPad? 5 Ways to fix it appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

• A student moving to a different country for education,
• A person going to a new country for employment,
• A tourist booking an extended stay in foreign country, or
• Someone wanting to try an app not available in your region…

You can change your App Store country or region, and we’ll show you how in this tutorial. 

If you run into an issue along the way, this guide also explains the likely reasons you can’t change the App Store country or region on your iPhone, and how to fix it.

1. Cancel active subscriptions

If you have an active subscription on your Apple ID, you cannot change your App Store country. It doesn’t matter whether the subscription is for an Apple service like Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, iCloud, or a third-party app like Spotify, YouTube Premium, Canva, etc. 

As long as you purchased the subscription through the App Store, you’ll need to get rid of it for the time being. So, if you’re looking to change your App Store region, cancel any active subscriptions.

Even after canceling the subscription, you may have to wait until the end of the subscription period to proceed.

Note: The subscription has to be purchased/billed from the App Store. If you purchased a subscription from outside the App Store (for example, Netflix or Prime Video), you don’t have to cancel it.

2. Spend remaining Apple ID balance

Do you have any remaining Apple ID balance or store credit? You can learn how to check your balance here.

If you have even one cent in your balance, you cannot change your App Store country. In this case, either precisely add the amount needed to buy an app, song, or add anything and spend it. After that, try changing your region. 

You may also need to contact Apple Support for more help in this situation if you can’t add funds.

3. Wait for a refund or pre-order to complete

Did you pre-order a game, song, album, movie, app, TV show, or such from the App Store or iTunes Store, and are waiting for it to be made available? If so, you can’t change your App Store country unless this pre-ordered item is made available to you. Or unless you cancel the pre-order.

Here’s how to view or cancel a pre-order on your iPhone and iPad:

1. Open the App Store and tap your profile picture at the top right.
2. Tap your name.
3. Here, if you see a section called Pre-Orders, that means you have some pre-orders pending. Tap the pre-ordered item and follow along to cancel it.
4. If you don’t see a section for pre-order in step 3, you don’t have any pending pre-orders.

Additionally, did you request a refund for a purchase? If so, you’ll need to wait for it to go through. After that, you can change the App Store’s country.

Have you rented a movie or TV show from the iTunes Store? 

If the answer is yes, you can change the App Store country after you’ve watched the movie. After renting, you have 30 days to start watching. Once you start watching, you have 48 hours to finish it.

4. Leave existing Family Sharing group

If you’re a part of a Family Sharing group, you cannot change your App Store country unless you leave it. To stop being a part of Family Sharing:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap Family Sharing.
3. Now, tap your name and select Stop Using Family Sharing.

After doing so, restart your iPhone or iPad and try changing the App Store country. It should work.

No dice? Move on to the next solution.

5. Make sure you have a payment method for your new country

Apple explicitly mentions on its support page to “Make sure that you have a payment method for your new country or region.”

So, if you’re moving to a different country for a long time, you likely have a credit card or a local payment method that Apple accepts in the country you’re trying to switch to.

You can see the complete list of country-wise payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID. Here’s how you can add a payment method.

Or, you can remove your existing payment method (if using one). After that, restart your iPhone or iPad and try changing the App Store country. It should work now.

6. Contact Apple Support

Finally, if nothing helps, or if you have pending store credit that isn’t enough to buy even a single item, contact Apple Support. Explain your situation, and they’ll further assist you by providing personalized account-specific support beyond the scope of this post.

Wrapping up…

We hope you learned how to change your App Store country on your iPhone or iPad. Please note that this process is specific to your Apple ID and affects all your devices that have your Apple ID—iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, etc.

Under normal circumstances, if you don’t have an active subscription, satisfy the conditions mentioned in this article above, and have a valid address and phone number for the new country, changing your App Store country isn’t a big deal. It’s fairly quick and effortless.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out in the comments sections below. We want to hear from you!

You may also like to read:

• How to fix “Update Apple ID Settings” issue on iPhone
• How to change country in Amazon app on iPhone and iPad
• App Store’s updated policy: Everything you need to know
• How to report scam apps in the App Store on iPhone

The post Can’t change App Store country/region on iPhone? How to fix it! appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

This means that you can directly alert Apple about apps that have scammed you of money or demonstrated some other problematic behavior. Let’s learn more about this feature and how to report a problem in the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

• What’s the new ‘Report a Problem’ button in the App Store?
• How to report frauds, scam apps, or abusive content in the App Store
• Is the iOS 15 ‘Report a Problem’ button available in your country?

What’s the new ‘Report a Problem’ button in the App Store?

Earlier, the ‘Report a Problem’ button was hidden at the bottom of the Games or Apps tab in the App Store. It would take you to a webpage where you had four options to choose from:

• Request a refund
• Report suspicious activity
• Find My Content
• Report a quality issue

The limitation was that it lacked a straightforward way to report a scammy or otherwise problematic app. Apple has fixed that with the new iOS 15 Report a Problem button. It enables you to report any app that has in-app purchases directly. Here’s a list of options this button gives you: 

• Request a refund
• Report a quality issue
• Find my content
• Report a scam or fraud
• Report offensive, illegal, or abusive content

This is a much more effective and user-friendly way to report fake apps, scams, or other issues to Apple. Let’s check out the precise method below. 

How to report frauds, scam apps, or abusive content in the App Store

1. Open the App Store and find the app you want to report.
2. Scroll down to the information section and tap Report a Problem.
   You will be taken to Apple’s website.
3. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
4. After signing in, tap the drop-down menu under the option What can we help you with?
5. Select the appropriate option from the list given, namely:
   • Request a refund
   • Report a quality issue
   • Find my content
   • Report a scam or fraud
   • Report offensive, illegal, or abusive content
6. Tap Next and describe the issue in the space provided.
7. Tap Submit.
   
   

You will see a confirmation from Apple saying that it will review the app based on your feedback.

Note: You won’t get any reply about action taken based on your report. So you will just have to wait and see what happens. Nonetheless, this is a good way to flag scam apps.

Is the iOS 15 ‘Report a Problem’ button available in your country?

In addition to iOS 15, the Report a Problem button is also available in iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey. Apple has said that it is currently available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand but will be rolled out to other regions soon.

In the meantime, if you’re not based in the currently supported countries, you could still get the button if you change the App Store country on your device. However, you will need to add the respective country’s payment and address method!

Here’s how to do this in iOS 15:

1. Go to Settings and tap your profile at the top.
2. Tap Media & Purchases and select View Account.
3. Tap Country/Region.
   
   
4. Select Change Country or Region.
5. Select the United States from the list.
6. Tap Agree to accept the Terms and Conditions.
7. Add a US payment method and address to complete the change.
   
   

Once done, go to the App Store and find a free app that offers in-app purchases. Scroll down to the information section, and you will see the ‘Report a Problem’ option at the bottom. If you can’t see it, restart your iPhone and check again.

It will be interesting to see how effective this new feature proves to be to keep scams and fake apps away from the App Store. One other step Apple needs to take is to increase its team of app reviewers to spot problematic apps early and ban them from the App Store.

Let me know your thoughts on this feature in the comments below.

Other iOS 15 articles you might like:

• iOS 15 battery drain issue? Tips to improve iPhone battery life
• Can’t update apps on iPhone or iPad in iOS 15? How to fix it
• Can’t delete apps on iPhone and iPad in iOS 15? How to fix It!

The post How to report scam apps in the App Store on iPhone and iPad appeared first on iGeeksBlog.