How to change country in Google Play Store using VPN

The apps, games, and other content in the Google Play Store solely depend on your country. Google Play Store uses different factors, such as GPS and your IP address, to know where you are. This is how it determines which apps and content to show you.

You can change the country manually once a year, but you must be physically in it. Another problem arises when you move or travel—it can take up to several weeks for the Google Play Store to update and show apps relevant to your new location.

Fortunately, you can access the entire Google Play Store library with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). It allows you to change your location to a preferred region many times and gain access to the apps you need. In this article, I will show you how to change the country on Google Play and access all desired apps with a reliable VPN.

Why do I need a VPN to change Google Play country or region

Google Play Store blocks certain apps and services in specific regions. It allows the users to change their location only once a year, however it requires a payment method from the new country or region.

It can quickly become a problem for people going on holiday, working, or moving abroad. Such restrictions can prevent access to local food delivery, banking, transportation, and other apps. Furthermore, changing your location on the Google Play Store will result in losing your Google Play balance and points.

The easiest way to change your Google Play Store country without enduring a year-long wait is to get a trustworthy VPN. This tool lets you change your virtual location to any other country you want, allowing you to enter regional Google Play libraries. All internet traffic gets encrypted with an unbreakable cipher, too, resulting in complete privacy. With a VPN, you also get an untraceable IP address. Also, geo-blocks aren’t exclusive only to the Google Play Store. Many other streaming platforms, services, and websites are available only in certain locations, but with a VPN, you can access them all.

Best Google Play VPNs in 2024

1. NordVPN – overall best VPN to change Google Play Store country
2. Surfshark – fast VPN with a vast server fleet to access all apps
3. PrivateVPN – affordable VPN to unblock Google Play Store content

The best Google Play VPN should include several crucial things, namely an extensive server network. To ensure your connections don’t slow down to a crawl, look for providers with the latest tunneling protocols, like WireGuard.

For utmost security and privacy, never overlook the essential VPN features—AES-256 encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. For maximum device compatibility and ease of use, I also recommend checking out the best Android VPNs.

1. NordVPN – the best Google Play Store VPN to bypass region block

Change the Google Play Store country without a hitch with NordVPN. The provider offers 6900+ RAM-only servers across 113+ countries, therefore ensuring you access to the country of the desired app. Since the connections are powered with the in-house NordLynx protocol, apps will finish downloading in mere seconds.

NordVPN's app interface is customer-friendly, and I easily switched between country servers and changed my IP address. This allowed me to get access to Google Play Store apps only available in Europe, Asia, or Australia. NordVPN is also compatible with any device and allows 10 simultaneous connections. I successfully tested it on my phone, tablet, and computer.

NordVPN ensures its customers’ privacy and security. The provider hails from privacy-friendly Panama, adheres to an independently audited zero-logs policy, and offers all the necessary features for staying safe online. It also includes strong AES-256 encryption, follows modern VPN protocols, and has specialty servers for P2P.

All of this is available for a price of $2.99/month, but remember to use the NordVPN discount code during checkout for extra savings. The 30-day money-back guarantee protects every subscription, so there’s no risk in committing. Alternatively, take the service out for a spin with the free 7-day trial via the Google Play Store.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – extra secure VPN to change region in Google Play Store

Another great VPN for changing your location on the Google Play Store is Surfshark. It has 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, so browsing the vast foreign libraries will be smooth as butter.

The easy and convenient app’s interface allowed me to change my IP location from the US to Spain and then France and access its Google Play Store library. Furthermore, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections to any device. I found this feature extremely useful when traveling with my family, as all of our devices got access to the apps only available in that region. Surfshark VPN also protects you with CleanWeb, which takes care of trackers and malware.

Surfshark is an extremely safe VPN due to its no-logs policy, kill switch, industry-leading AES-256 encryption, and secure protocols. During my testing, it immediately shut off my internet connection when I turned off my VPN connection. Also, I checked if my IP address was leaking, but there was no need to worry; Surfshark got my back.

$2.19/month is not much to pay to change the Google Play country anytime you want. Just don’t forget to apply a Surfshark VPN coupon before finalizing the purchase. If the service doesn’t live up to the hype, get a refund with the 30-day money-back guarantee. But I'm sure you won’t want to after testing the 7-day free trial (Google Play and Apple App Stores).

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. PrivateVPN – affordable VPN to change Google Play Store region

As the name suggests, PrivateVPN keeps your identity hidden no matter what you do online. Furthermore, it easily circumvents geo-blocks, so getting other Google Play Store libraries won’t be a problem. In my experience, the network of 200+ servers in 63+ countries was enough to get my hands on all the apps I wished to have.

I had no issues with the PrivateVPN app, as it is intuitive and easy to use. I switched countries with no issues, while the Google Play Store allowed me to download apps that would otherwise be out of my reach due to my geographical location. It was compatible with my phone, tablet, and computer, and even the lack of the WireGuard tunneling protocol was barely noticeable due to the trusted OpenVPN and High Quality Network (HQN), bought straight from the source.

PrivateVPN protects your privacy with military-grade encryption that protects your data and identity. Furthermore, PrivateVPN doesn’t track its users’ web activity or traffic and doesn’t store such information on its servers. It also claims no-logs policy.

Purchase a plan for just $2.00/month by utilizing a PrivateVPN code and enjoy exploring new content libraries. You don’t have to dive in right away, though, not when the 7-day free trial is available on the official website. When you do, rest easy knowing your hard-earned cash is safe with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.

How to change country in Google Play Store using VPN

You can change your country on the Google Play Store once a year, but you can do that many times with a VPN. This way, you can get access to all geo-blocked apps without the need to move. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the country in the Google Play Store using a VPN.

Step 1: Connect to a VPN server

For this task, choose a reliable VPN that has servers in the country you need so you can access region-specific apps. I always rely on NordVPN and its huge network of servers.

Step 2: Go to profile and clear Google Play Store app data

This step needs to be done for you to be able to change the Google Play Store country. Go to the Google Play Store app, tap the profile icon, and then follow Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Country and profiles. Then, clear your app data.

Step 3: Create a new Google Play account when connected to the VPN

When you are connected to the country you need via VPN, create a new Google Play account. This way you will be granted access to the apps only available in that region.

Step 4: Search for the desired app

With your new account and access to the new Google Play Store apps library, search for the desired app. It should be available now. If the app is still not available, clear the app’s cache and settings in the ‘Settings’ menu on the phone.

If you change your Google Play country on the app, you’ll be asked to add a payment method for the new country. This is okay if you’re moving countries and have a legitimate payment method. But if you don’t, there is a way around it.

How to change Google Play country without payment method?

If you want to change country in the Google Play Store, you will be required to use a payment method. However, there are some ways around this requirement.

1. Use a VPN. You can change Google Play country without a payment method via VPN. You need to create a new account, then you will be asked to add a phone number and payment method, but you can skip those steps. Try free trials of popular VPNs, such as NordVPN, to save money while changing your location.
2. Change the Google Play Store location manually once a year. This method doesn’t require a payment method, however, you will pay with patience and time.
3. Create a new account. By creating a new account you will be able to change your location without a payment method. However, this method is a bit time-consuming and will clear all your previous data.

Best VPN servers to change Google Play Store country

With a VPN, you can access various apps available in different countries. Hence, the best servers will depend solely on your needs. However, countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada offer popular choices and a vast selection of apps. Additionally, consider choosing a server location that aligns with your language preferences and content interests.

How to change region in Google Play Store manually

Of course, you can also manually change the Google Play Store country through the app itself. The caveat with this option is that you can only do it once a year and must be physically in the location. You’ll also have to provide a valid payment method for the region you want to get apps from. If you meet all the requirements, go to Google Play Store Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Country and profiles. Here you can change country depending on your IP address. By adding a payment method, you will get a new Google Play Store app library.

How to change Android Play Store country

1. Open the Google Play Store and click on your account’s icon
2. Press the arrow next to your email and select Add another account
3. Follow the instructions and fill in any necessary information. Skip the step that asks you to enter your phone number.
4. After you’re done, switch to the newly created account
5. Add a payment method in the Payments and subscriptions section. I recommend using virtual cards to register them in many different countries.

How to change Google Play country on PC

1. Open your web browser and go to pay.google.com
2. Check whether you’re logged into the correct Google account. If so, proceed to the next step.
3. If you haven’t added any credit card, you’ll get the option to Add a payment method. Enter your virtual credit card details and a billing address that matches the card’s region.
4. If you already have a credit card linked, you’ll have to add a new one. Click on Settings and navigate to the Payments profile.
5. Find the Country/Region option, press on the pencil icon, and add another payment method linked to the country of your choice.

Unable to change country in Play Store: solutions

If you’re unable to change country in Google Play Store, there might be several reasons. Firstly, if you have recently changed your location in the Store, it has set a waiting period of one year, hence your change won’t be approved again. Additionally, if there’s a balance in your account, you may not be able to change the country until you use up the balance or transfer it to another account. Lastly, if you’re using a VPN to change your country in the Google Play Store and it doesn’t work, try this:

• Change the server. Maybe the one you’re connected to is overcrowded or down for maintenance. Pick any other available server in the region of your choice and try again.
• Clear the cache. For mobile users, clear the Google Play Store application’s cache from the App menu. PC users should clear their browser’s cookie cache. Restart the device in both cases before reconnecting to the VPN.
• Check for IP & DNS leaks. If your actual IP address or DNS requests are visible, it’s no wonder you’re getting the same old content on the Play Store. Perform an IP & DNS leak test and toggle on all the security features of the VPN.
• Contact VPN support. You can also get in touch with professionals who’ll help you get to the bottom of why you can’t change the Google Play Store country.

Worst comes to worst, the problem might lie with your current VPN itself. There’s no harm in switching to another provider capable of doing its job – like the top Google Play VPNs I listed above.

Can I use free VPN for Google Play Store region change?

No, I don’t recommend using a free VPN for Google Play Store region change for several reasons. Firstly, free VPNs don’t have a wide selection of server locations. Therefore, there’s a huge chance you won’t get access to the preferred apps. Free VPN providers also tend to not properly care for their clients' safety and privacy. Hence many sell their users’ data to the highest bidder or inject malicious software into their applications.

My honest recommendation is to avoid free service providers and try VPNs with free trial versions instead. My top recommendation is NordVPN because it has a 7-day free trial only on Android. You get to utilize the full feature set without limitations and benefit from proper protection. The loophole here is that no one’s stopping you from signing up with another service once one trial ends. Thus, you can repeat this process many times.

Final thoughts

If you want to expand the possibilities of your Android devices, the Google Play Store is the way to go. With a plethora of services and apps, it’s one of the best places to get what you want and need. Those pesky geographical limitations make things a lot harder, though.

Luckily, there are no restrictions that a reputable VPN can’t bypass. Best Google Play VPN providers like NordVPN do so by including top-grade security, vast server networks, and robust features that mask your online identity. The fact this technology is useful for other internet activities is the cherry on top.

Do you know any other methods that effectively change the Google Play Store country? Let us know in the comments below!

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FAQ

What to do if Google Play purchases are not supported in my country?

If your Google Play purchases are not supported in your country, use a reputable VPN, such as NordVPN, to get access to your desired apps. In the Google Play Store settings, select the country where you want to add an account while connected to that country’s server via VPN.

How to bypass Google Play region lock?

Use a trustworthy VPN to bypass Google Play region lock. My recommendation for this task is NordVPN. VPN grants you access to any app that is under the geo-restriction block.

How to change region on Google Play?

You can change region manually through Google Play in the settings or using a VPN. Open the Google Play Store app, go to Settings, under General, find Account and device preferences, and change the country in Country and profiles. This can be done once a year. If you need to change countries more frequently to access content from all regions on Google Play, use a VPN.

Is it legal to use a VPN to change the Google Play Store?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN to change your Google Play Store country. Subscribe to a reliable provider, install the software on your Android device, connect to any region you want, and that’s it. I recommend NordVPN for this task.

How to change country in Google Play Store without payment method?

You have to create a new Google account for that. Remove your current one by navigating to Settings and then Accounts. Once you’ve successfully done that, connect to a VPN server, open the Google Play Store again, and press Add Your Account.

What should I do if I can’t change Google Play Store country?

If you’re connected to a VPN but still can’t change the country of the Google Play Store, several things might be preventing that. Try to clear the applications’ data cache, check for IP & DNS leaks, or try connecting to another VPN server.

Can I use a free VPN to change the country on Google Play?

Technically, you can use a free VPN to change the Play Store country, but I recommend against doing so. Costless providers are known for being unreliable and for extensive data logging. Plus, the country lists are usually so small that you won’t get access to foreign content libraries.