How To Change Country In Google Play Store

Google Play Store is rightly called an ocean of applications, and the best part is the ease of use. Open the Play Store app, search for an app and tap on it to open the app page, and finally, click on the green Install button, and you will have it in your smartphone within a couple of minutes. This process is comparatively much easier than the installation process on Windows operating system.

But Google Play Store has certain limitations, and one of them is that the apps available on the Play Store are divided geographically. This means people with access to apps in a specific part of the world will not access to them in a different country. This is done as an agreement between the app developer and Google, and it requires the users to change the Google Play country. However, this is not the case with all apps. The most popular ones like Facebook, Chrome, and YouTube, are available all over the world.

The problem of this geographical categorization arises when you have moved from one location to another, in which case your smartphone will be using the previous country’s settings. You must update your current location status; otherwise, it would also affect the billing charges as well. The second issue arises when you discover an app but find that it is not available for your country. To overcome these issues, let us discuss a few steps on how to change the country in Google Play Store.

Also Read: How to Fix Google Play Store Server ‘No Connection Retry’ Error

How To Change Country In The Google Play Store

To change your country, you have to be in that country so that Google Play Store detects your IP address. You must also have a payment option for the new country. The steps to alter your existing country are:

Step 1. Tap on the Google Play store icon on your smartphone to open it.

Step 2. On the left top corner, click on the hamburger menu and choose Accounts.

Step 3. Under the first tab- Preferences, locate Country and Profiles and tap on it.

Step 4. You will see a list of countries you have been in and can choose your current state.

Step 5. You will get a series of prompts asking you to add a payment method.

Step 6. Follow all the onscreen instructions (they are self-explanatory) and accept the final warning prompt.

Step 7.  You are all set, and it might take up to 24 hours for changes in google Play country to take effect.

NOTE: You can change Google Play country only once a year. Also, you can change your country where you have actually been and not just any random country from the list. This is tracked by different IP address.

Also Read: How to Fix ‘Download Pending’ Error On Google Play Store

What Are The Possible Limitations Of Changing Your Country In Google Play Store?

As I mentioned earlier, there are a few limitations in changing your country in Google Play Store. It is essential to understand these critical points as the process is irreversible for one year before you can change your country in Google Play Store again.

• After the change is done, you will not be able to use the old payment method associated with the previous country. This means if you have any Google Play balance, it can neither be converted nor used.
• The same goes for any gift card points you might have added when the Play store was configured to the previous country.
• The change between Google Play countries can only be done once a year.
• You could use a VPN instead to trick the Google Play Store into believing you have logged in through a different country.
• The best solution to get an app not available in your region is to use a Google Play Alternative app store and download the app.

Also Read: How To Fix Google Play Store Crashes on Your Android Device

Have You Changed Your Country In The Google Play Store?

It is a straightforward method to change the country in Google Play Store, and this step is significant for those who have moved to a different country and are planning to stay there for a long time. This way, you can get access to those apps that are available and required in a particular country. Also, some updates for common apps are region-specific, and if you are in a different country, it is deemed necessary to stay updated as per that country’s requirements.

Suggested Reading:

11 Banned App Categories On Google Play Store.

How to Download APK Files From Google Play Store To PC

How To Cancel A Subscription On Google Play Store

Important Tips & Tricks For Google Play Store

How To Get Started With Audiobooks On Google Play Store?