By looking at your IP address, the Play Store assigns you a region and controls what apps you can download. But if you change your IP address — which you can do with a VPN — you can access other Play Store regions. A VPN is a simple tool that can change your virtual location to one of your choice. By connecting to a server in the US, for example, you can get all apps (e.g., CBS, Hulu) available exclusively in that Play Store. I’ve tried over 15 VPNs to find the best ones for accessing apps on various Google Play regions. Out of all those, my top pick is ExpressVPN. I had blazing-fast speeds during the tests I performed that let me download apps in seconds. It even comes backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you can get a full refund. Access More Play Store Regions
Why You Need a VPN to Change Your Google Play Store Country
Your location determines what you see on the Google Play Store. When you’re in the UK, you will have different apps at your disposal than when you’re in the US. This practice is known as geo-blocking, and almost all major platforms use it due to licensing agreements. Hundreds of apps, movies, and songs are unavailable because they are geo-restricted. For example, streaming apps like Hulu and Peacock TV are only available if you’re in the US. On the other hand, Sky Go and BBC iPlayer are only in the UK’s Play Store. So, you won’t be able to get the Hulu app if you’re in the UK or BBC iPlayer if you’re in the US. The Google Play Store uses your device’s IP address to determine your location. Your IP reveals a lot about you, including your geo-location that Google sees whenever you enter the Store. When you connect to a server in your desired country, a VPN changes your IP address. Then, you can switch your Google Play Store location since you’ll appear as if you’re accessing it from your chosen region. That way, you can tap into the libraries of other Play Store countries and find the apps you want. Keep in mind that you’re allowed to change your Google country only once a year. If you need to change it another time, you can create a new account. Access More Play Store Regions
Best VPNs to Change Your Play Store Country in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — The Absolute Best for Accessing More Play Store Apps
ExpressVPN is my top choice because it was reliable and fast for every Play Store region I tried. I have several Play Store accounts tied to different countries, and I accessed the latest apps from every region I tested. I love watching shows on the Hulu app on my tablet, but I couldn’t install the app while I was in Europe. Using ExpressVPN, I connected to a US server and once I changed my Play Store region on my device, I was able to download the app. Its lightning-fast speeds let me download apps and games in seconds. My speed without the VPN was about 155 Mbps, and when I tested its servers in Germany, the US, and the UK, it averaged 144 Mbps. It decreased by only 7%, which is amazing since the typical speed loss with a VPN is about 20%. There was no pending time — every installation was almost instant. I’ve also set the Play Store to automatically update all my apps because I know ExpressVPN is fast enough to run these downloads in the background without causing lag. ExpressVPN has 3,000 servers in 94 countries, so you have plenty of options to change your Play Store location. I tested its servers in Europe, Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, and some parts of Asia to change my region, and they provided me with a stable and fast connection each time. Starting at $6.67/month, ExpressVPN costs a tiny bit more than other VPNs I’ve tried. However, I got a 49% discount when I subscribed. Its long-term subscription makes more financial sense if you’re in it for the long haul. ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so can test it for yourself risk-free. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can claim a full refund. I tested this myself, and the process went smoothly. I used its live chat to cancel my subscription. After I answered a few simple questions, its rep approved my refund, and the money was back on my credit card 3 days later. Access Apps With ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Easy-To-Use Play Store VPN for VPN Beginners
It is super intuitive to navigate and perfect if you want a simple VPN. Its clean design makes it easy even for absolute beginners to set it up and learn how to switch between servers. I found a UK server to install Sky Go on the Play Store in seconds. CyberGhost’s servers are organized alphabetically by location, so finding the right server is practically effortless. You can scroll or type in the country in the search box. I wanted to download the CBS app, and I quickly found the Canadian server just by typing it in the search box. Also, I love that you can add servers to your Favorites list to connect even faster next time. CyberGhost offers dedicated IP addresses, which means you get an IP that only you can use. This is great because certain VPN IP addresses are already familiar to some platforms, which is why they block them. The Play Store is much less likely to block you if you have a unique IP because it seems much more legitimate. During my tests, I purchased this as CyberGhost’s additional feature while traveling to ensure I can always access my US Play Store account. When it comes to pricing, I find CyberGhost’s short-term plan a bit expensive, plus it has a shorter money-back guarantee. However, the extended plan, starting at $2.11/month, is a much better deal. I even got 84% off when I subscribed. Also, CyberGhost’s long-term plans have a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free. If you wish to cancel your subscription for some reason, you can reach out to its support team via the 24/7 live chat. Even though they told me it’d take 5–10 days, I got my money back in 4 days. Access Apps With CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — Tons of Servers to Access Any Play Store Region
With a network as big as PIA’s (29,650 servers in 84 countries), it’s easy to access any Play Store country. I was able to download apps exclusive to Japan, Korea, South America, and other locations where some VPNs don’t even have servers. It also has an extensive US server network, in case you want to access the US Google Play Store region. PIA has decent and stable speeds, so you’ll have a stable connection even if you’re far away from your region of choice. Physical distance from your location to the VPN server affects speed — the farther you are, the slower your speed. Typically, a VPN slows you down by 10–20% due to distance and the steps it takes to encrypt your traffic and send it through another server. I tested PIA’s US servers to access my Play Store account, and my slowdown was even less than that. Connecting to a server in Chicago, over 7,500 km away, reduced my speed by only 15.8%. Its app is slightly more complex than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. It features plenty of customization options, which is a great thing if you’re an advanced VPN user but possibly confusing for beginners. However, it comes pre-configured, so you don’t have to change your settings to use it for the Play Store. Private Internet Access has several monthly and yearly plans, but you get the same features with all. The pricing starts at $2.03/month. I found the best deal with its yearly plan — I got 82% off when I signed up. It has a money-back guarantee, so you can try PIA out first. If it’s not the perfect VPN for you, you have 30 days to claim a full refund. I used its 24/7 live chat to cancel my subscription. The support agent was friendly and only asked me if there was a particular reason for canceling. Once they approved my request, I got all my money back in just 2 days. However, bear in mind that if you purchased through Apple Pay, Apple would process your refund. Access Apps With PIA
How to Change Your Google Play Store Country With a VPN
I’ll show you how to do this the easiest way. There are basically 3 steps you need to make: Here’s how to add a new payment method and clear cache on your Android device:
With the VPN on, open your Google Play Store app and click on your profile icon. Then, click Settings > General Account.
Tap Account preferences, then Country and profiles (you should see your default country and the one you have connected to with ExpressVPN). Locate the country you want the account in. Follow the on-screen instructions to add a new payment method for that country. Go to your device settings and click on Apps (or Apps and Notifications). You then need to expand the list by tapping See All Apps. Click on the Play Store app, then click Storage > Force Stop > Clear Cache. Hit Clear Data, and restart your phone.
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Is the Google Play Store blocked in my country?
The Google Play Store is available in most countries — but it’s blocked in some places (like China). However, due to licensing agreements, even if the Play Store is available where you are, you don’t have access to all of the apps that other countries have. This is because Google limits the apps you can download based on your location. For example, Hulu’s app is only available on the US Play Store because Hulu itself isn’t available in any other country. If this happens, you can use a VPN to mask your location and unblock the Play Store region you’d like to access.
Can I switch my Google Play Store country without a credit card?
Typically, you need to add a local payment method when switching Play Store countries. That includes a local credit or a PayPal account, which further confirms you are truly in that country. To set up a Google account without attaching any payment method, you can use a Google Pay balance. You can add money to it by buying a voucher, just remember that it has to be in the intended country’s currency. To redeem your voucher and use it as a payment method, do the following: But to get apps from other countries, you need to change your location. The easiest way to do that is by using a VPN. My top choice is ExpressVPN because it is consistently the best in terms of unblocking features and speed.
How can I get apps from the US/UK Play Store through PC/Mac?
You can get apps exclusive to US or UK on the Play Store on your PC/Mac through your browser, without even using your Android device. First, you need to change your virtual location because Google uses your device’s IP address to see where you are. By connecting to a server in a country of your choice, a VPN helps you overcome this by changing your IP address. You get a new IP that matches the country you selected. So, the easiest way to get apps from other Google Play Stores on your Mac/PC to US/UK is to:
Can I change the country/region in the Google Play Store without root?
Yes. You don’t need to root your Android device to change your Play Store region, but bear in mind you can technically change it only once per year. Even though rooting gives you more control over your device, it also means you lose the warranty and can’t update your phone the usual way. Aside from that, you are also more vulnerable to hacking, and malware. Sometimes you’ll encounter the error message: Your device is not compatible with this version/device. This glitch appears to be an issue with Google’s Android operating system. To go around this, you need to clear the Google Play Store cache. Next, click on clear data. Restart your phone and try downloading the app again. However, that alone can’t give you access to other Play Store regions. The best way is to connect to a server in the intended country by using a VPN and then change your Google Play Store country on your device. A VPN will give you a new IP address that matches the country whose Play Store you want to access. Plus, if you do root your phone, a VPN can also help protect you from hackers. Try ExpressVPN Now
Change Your Google Play Store Country Now
The easiest way to change your Play Store region is by using a VPN. To get the apps from another Play Store location, first, you need to connect to a server in that region. After that, you can change your Google Play country. That way, no matter where you are, you can still have your favorite apps and games even while on the road. But not all VPNs work for changing Play Store regions. After extensive testing, I can safely say the 3 VPNs on my list easily give you access to country-specific content on the Play Store. My personal favorite is ExpressVPN because of its breakneck speeds and great server coverage that let me install the apps from any region in seconds. Plus, you can try it risk-free since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can get a full refund if you’re not completely satisfied.
To summarize, the best VPNs for changing your Google Play Store country are…
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