How to change the country on Google Play Store: A step-by-step guide

Google Play Store is arguably the most important service on any Android smartphone. It is your authorised way to get new apps and games and update your smartphone‘s existing apps and games. It also works seamlessly with the user simply needing to open the Play Store, search for the app you want to download, and install it on your device.

However, the Google Play Store is also tied to your country and with that comes several restrictions. Google Play features different apps in various countries since different regions often allow or block access to certain apps. TikTok, the most popular short-form video app, is unavailable in India but is available on Play Store in other countries.

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If you have recently moved to a new country or are trying to access the Play Store in another region, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the country in the Play Store.

How to change the country on Play Store

To change your country setting in the Google Play Store, follow the below steps on your Android device.

Step 1: Open the Play Store app on your Android device.

Step 2: Click on your profile picture at the top-right corner of the screen.

Step 3: Now, choose Settings, select General followed by Account and device preferences.

Step 4: Under the Country and profiles section, you will see your name alongside your current Play Store Country.

If your Android phone detects that you are in a different country than the one listed, you will see a Switch to the [region] Play Store option below. Follow the below steps if this switching option appears.

Step 5: Click on the Switch to the [region] Play Store header.

Step 6: Tap one of the options to add a payment method for your new country. Please note the payment option will vary by region but most regions should have the option to “Add credit or debit card” option.

Step 7: When you tap the new payment method, a warning will appear (more on that later). Review the warning prompt and hit Continue after understanding the terms.

Step 8: Now, follow the prompts to add a new payment method for the country you’re switching your Play Store to.

Step 9: Once you’ve switched countries, you will be able to browse the Play Store for that region.

Please note that it may take up to 48 hours for the new region selected for the Play Store to go into effect.

Change Google Play Store country: Key things to remember

Google notes that you should change your country in the Play Store only if you have moved to a new region. The option to change your Play Store won’t appear for everyone and shows up only if you were previously in a different country than you are right now.

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Google understands that you have moved to a new region through your IP address and offers the option to change your Play Store to that country.

However, do note that Google allows Play Store users to change their country only once per year. So, once you select the country on the Play Store, you are locked to that region for the next 12 months. If you had previously changed your country in the Play Store then you will have the option to switch back to your previous region. This is helpful if you have moved to a new country for a short period and relocate to your home country later.

Google also restricts users with the Google Play Family Library feature enabled from changing their region in the Play Store. Apart from these restrictions, Google will also restrict you from using your old payment method in your new region. While switching to a new country on the Play Store, you might lose access to some apps and other content if they are not available in your new country.

After changing countries in the Play Store, you will not be able to use Google Play balance from your previous country and you will also lose access to Google Play Points. However, your Google Play Pass subscription will transfer to your new country if the service is available there. While the allure of switching regions to try new apps might seem appealing, it will also lock you to that region for the next 12 months and thus we recommend changing regions in the Play Store only if you’ve actually moved countries.