Cannot switch App Store Region/Country with active Apple subscription

I need to update a mobile app that is only available in the Canada Apple App Store, but cannot switch regions as I have an active Apple warranty subscription for my Apple iWatch 10, in the US. I contacted Apple and asked if I could cancel my brand new watch subscription warranty, to switch stores to update my mobile Canadian American Express app, then reinstate my Apple iWatch 10 warranty subscription, but they say I cannot. And American Express has no plans to allow the Canadian mobile app to be available in the US Apple App Store. In the past, when purchasing Apple devices, I was able to purchase warranty when purchasing Apple device, but now Apple is forcing you to take an annual subscription, so now I cannot update mobile apps that are not available in the US Apple App Store.

I am very upset about this, going backwards…

iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Apr 16, 2025 7:16 AM

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Apr 18, 2025 7:07 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Jeff, thank you for your reply.

Yes, I am aware that I can access through American Express Canada web site, however, I was hoping to retain the convenience factor.  I find it frustrating that two multinational companies cannot maintain ease of access for their customers.

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Apr 18, 2025 7:29 AM in response to NLO888

The issues boil down to terms and conditions and legal requirements between two countries. Large multinational companies don’t want friction for their respective customers. If legally it were possible, I’m sure they’d reduce or eliminate the barriers.


The ultimate answer is to contact the app developer and inquire why the app isn’t available in the US Apple App Store. The developer decides what countries their app is available in.

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Apr 21, 2025 6:47 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Went to the Apple store and spoke to the store Manager. She suggested that we purchase another iWatch 10 online at the store and that would allow us to add/purchase a 2-year warranty online without annual subscription. Upon delivery of the new watch ordered online at the store, we returned the 1-week old iWatch 10. Seems inefficient and added work for everyone involved but it worked. She said that the subcription only warranty through purchases at the store (versus online) had only been in effect for the last couple of weeks and that most in store purchasers preferred the annual subscription warranty over adding the 2-year warranty purchase at the time of the device purchase, maybe to reduce initial cost outlay? She thought this was the rationale for forcing the annual warranty subscription option when purchasing directly from an Apple store.

I have successfully been able to switch back to the Canadian app store to refresh my mobile Canadian Amex app and then return back to the U.S. app store. Thanks for your help.

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Cannot switch App Store Region/Country with active Apple subscription

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