Here’s how to change your account’s Google Play Store country on an Android phone, along with warnings about what this entails. Using the Google Play Store is pretty simple: you pop it open, search for the app you want to download, and install it on your device. That’s about all there is to it.
But what happens if you move to a different country? You’ll need access to the right regional version of the Play Store for billing information. And Google Play features different apps in various countries, since regions often allow or block access to certain apps.
Whether you’ve recently moved or want to try accessing another region’s Play Store (which comes with a big caveat), here’s how to change your country setting in Google Play.
How to Change Country in the Google Play Store
Follow the below steps on your Android device to change your Play Store country:
- Open the Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile picture at the top-right of the screen, then choose Settings.
- Select General, followed by Account and device preferences.
- Under the Country and profiles section, you’ll see your name alongside your current Play Store country. If your phone detects that you’re currently in a different country, you’ll see a Switch to the [region] Play Store option below.
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- If this option doesn’t appear, see below for more info.
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- Under the Switch to the [region] Play Store header, tap one of the options to add a payment method for your new country. This will vary by region; most should at least have the Add credit or debit card option.
- When you tap the new method, a warning will appear (which we discuss further below). Review the warning prompt and hit Continue if you’re OK with the terms.
- Proceed through the prompts to add a new payment method for the country you’re switching your Play Store to.
- Once you’ve switched countries, you’re now able to browse the Play Store for that region. The change may take up to 48 hours to go into effect.
Source: MUO
