It’s no secret that the Google Play Store offers different services in different countries. About 70,000 apps are exclusive to the US, and popular games like Pokémon GO often launch region-exclusive events in Japan months in advance. Change Play Store location opens up a new world whenever you travel, move, or simply want to try out new apps. How to change country in Google Play Store? Check out tutorials here.
Table of Contents
How Does Google Play Identify Your Location
Google Play identifies your location through a multi-layered verification system designed to enforce regional restrictions. Here are some aspects Google considers:
💳 Google Account Payment Profile
The payment methods you’ve linked to your Google account tend to be the most determining factor, along with the services you’ve purchased before.
📍 Your Current IP Address
The Play Store clearly states that the content you see may be related to your general area, which is determined by your IP.
📱Device Location
If you have the “Use device location” setting turned on, the Play Store may also show you local content based on your device location (GPS).
💿 App Caches
Clearing the Play Store app data is crucial as cached app data will retain the old region label.
All these factors matter when it comes to changing Play Store location. Since your Payment Profile accounts for most, the steps to change location vary on whether you’ve added a payment method before.
Can You Change Google Play Country Without Payment Method
Yes, if you have never linked your account to a payment method before and just want to change your Play Store location to download some free apps, then congratulations, you can change your Play Store location without adding payment methods.
How to Change Google Play Country Without Payment Method?
Step 1. Get X-VPN and change your IP address to the target country.
Step 2. Close your GPS service. Clear Play Store data under “Settings” > “Apps” > “Google Play Store”> ”Clear Data”.
Step 3. Back to your Play Store and now it will automatically identify your location as where your IP address is.
See, the app not available in your previous country appears now! As for people who’ve purchased services on the Play Store before, and own a valid payment method for a new country, more steps and warnings are there.
How to Change Country in Google Play Store with Payment Info
With a valid payment method, changing your Play Store country can be easy and straightforward. You can do this either directly on your phone, or visit Google Wallet to better manage your payment profile.
Notices Before Changing
Google Play has implemented strict verification rules to better regulate region-restricted services. This makes it harder to change your Play Store country and make a purchase. Before following the tutorial below, please keep the following in mind:
⚠️ You can only change your Play Store country once a year.
⚠️ You can not change your country if you’re a member of a Google family group.
⚠️ You’ll lose your existing balance after changing location including certain books, games, movies, apps, etc.
If any of the above criteria are holding you back, consider signing up for a new Google Play Store account instead of changing your existing one.
Change Google Play Country in Mobile
Step 1. Get X-VPN if you are not in your target country right now.
Step 2. Go to “Settings” > “Apps” >”Google Play Store”>”Clear Data”.
Step 3. Open Play Store on your phone to match your current IP.
Step 4. Tap on your profile icon in the top-right corner and choose “Settings”.
Step 5. Under “General”, tap on “Account and device preferences”.
Step 6. Add your new payment method here, the change will be valid after about 48 hours.
Change Google Play Country on Web
Step 1. Get X-VPN if you are not in your target country right now.
Step 2. Visit “pay.google.com” in your browser to open your Google Wallet.
Step 3. Click the “Add payment method” button and fill in your payment info here. Click “Save” then.
Step 4. Back to your phone, go to “Settings” > “Apps” >”Google Play Store”>”Clear Data”.
Step 5. Open Google Play Store, and now you are in your new location.
Note: If this fails, after creating a new payment profile, switch to your old one and close this payment profile. Note that this action will disable your previous balance.
Get the Best VPN for Google Play Store
Whether you have a valid payment method in your target country, changing Google Play Store country using a VPN becomes necessary if you are not at the spot right now. X-VPN stands out as the most reliable solution, as it offers 8000+ high-quality VPN servers around the world, ensuring you unblock the Play Store in any corner of the world at a fast speed.
⭐️ 8000+ VPN Servers in 225 Locations: With its 8,000+ VPN servers around 225 global locations, you can reach every corner of the world in one click.
⭐️ Super Fast Speed to Download Apps: Specially optimized VPN speed allows you to download any apps and games in the Google Play Store with no buffering.
⭐️ Anti-Detection with VPN Obfuscation: X-VPN provides obfuscation tech for users to reach any platform in any country without being detected. Disguise your VPN traffic as normal data and unblock any content risk-free!
Recommended Countries for Best Play Store Service
Now knowing the methods, what countries should you change to? Here are some recommendations according to different needs.
- Get Cheap Deals: Turkey, India, and Argentina are top recommended to change Play Store location for cheap deals. Get a Turkey VPN right now!
- Unblock Streaming Services: The United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are listed as the top 3 Plat Store countries holding the most streaming copyrights.
- Unblock Games: Japan, the United States and South Korea tend to offer more exclusive games and popular game titles.
Again, please note that you can only change your Play Store country once a year, making it more recommended to register a new account instead.
Troubleshooting: Unable to Change Country in Play Store
If you’re having trouble changing your country in the Google Play Store, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check Family Link restrictions: If you manage your child’s account through Family Link, you may be restricted from changing your country.
2. Check when you last changed your country: Google only allows one country change per year. If you’ve recently changed your country, you can’t change it again for 12 months.
3. Clear app data and cache: Make sure you’ve cleared all Google Play Store app data.
4. Go to Google Wallet and check your payment profile: Go to Google Wallet to check if your previous payment method has an ongoing subscription.
5. Wait for the change to take effect: Once you initiate a country change, it can take up to 48 hours for the change to be fully processed.
6. Contact Google Support: If you can’t resolve the issue no matter what you try, contact Google Support for help.
7. Create a new Google account: If all else fails, consider creating a new Google account with details matching the desired country.
Still Failed? Try Google Play Store Alternatives
If you’ve done everything to change Play Store location and even Google Support can not help you out, have a try on these 3rd-party Android app stores instead.
- APKPure
- Aptoide
- Aurora Store
- F-Droid
- Samsung Galaxy Store
⚠️ Notice: Third-party app stores tend to be less secure, making your data vulnerable to attack. Enable X-VPN while searching apps on those sites, encrypt your data from hackers, WiFi holders, and your ISP.
Conclusion
Changing the Google Play Store can open up a new world for you, if you’ve never added any payment method before, X-VPN can even help you change Google Play Store country without payment methods. Since adding payment information manually is limited to once a year, you are more recommended to create a new Google account instead, and X-VPN is always here to help.
FAQs
Why is Google Play Defaulting to the Wrong Country?
A wrong Google Play default country could come from various reasons: Your Gmail has linked to a foreign payment method, you downloaded Play Store in another IP address, you are using a GPS changing tool, etc. You can change your Store country back with the help of X-VPN.
Why Am I Unable to Change Country in Play Store?
You can not change your Play Store country if you’ve changed it within 12 months, you are a member of a Google family group, you have an ongoing subscription under the previous payment methods or you encountered a glitch. Follow this guide to try again or contact Google Support.
Can You Change Google Play Country Without Payment Method?
Yes, as long as you’ve never added payment info before, you can use X-VPN to change the Play Store country without a payment method.
