use a vpn to change country google play

Moved house or traveling abroad and can’t access the Google Play Store apps in your new region? This is a fairly regular occurrence as it tends to take Google Play a few weeks to catch up with your new location, and since it shows geographically relevant apps, this can leave you frustrated without access to the services you need, including finance and banking apps, news sites, and streaming services. In this article, we show you how to change your Google Play location, both manually on the Google Play Store and via a VPN.

We’ll look at both methods, talk you through them step-by-step, and explain the pros and cons of each. For example, if you want to change the location manually, you will need to be physically located in that new country, you’ll have to input payment methods that match the new location, and you can only do this once every 365 days. Whereas the VPN method allows you more flexibility.

As well as the step-by-step guides, we’ll give you a list of the best VPNs for the job. We’ll review each of the providers we recommend later on, but in case you’re short on time, we’ll start with a quick summary.

Best VPNs for changing country or region on Google Play

  1. NordVPN: Best VPN for changing Google Play region. 6,000 servers in 60+ countries with incredible speeds. Use it to watch Netflix and BBC iPlayer securely. Connect up to 6 devices. No-logs VPN service with 24/7 live chat support and specialty servers. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
    TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Google Play.
  2. Surfshark: Best budget pick. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Great for Google Play, Netflix, and more. Excellent apps and browser extensions. No logs and 24/7 support.
  3. ExpressVPN: Servers in 100+ countries. Unblocks most region-locked content, including Netflix. Solid speeds and secure with encryption. User-friendly apps and 24/7 support.
  4. CyberGhost: Secure VPN with encryption and a strict no-logs policy. 10,000+ servers worldwide. Fast and works with Google Play and Netflix US. Use on up to 7 devices.
  5. IPVanish: US-based VPN with servers in dozens of countries. Lets you connect all of your devices simultaneously. Offers truly impressive speeds and strong security with encryption.
  6. PrivateVPN: High-speed servers for streaming. Easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile. Offers live chat support and good security with a strict no-logs policy.
  7. Private Internet Access: A no-logs VPN with reliable speeds and plenty of security tools built-in. Can secure every device you – and your family – own at the same time.

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How to manually change your country on Google Play

The following method is ideal if you’ve recently moved to another country. In fact, the option is only available if it detects you have a new IP address in a different country.

Note that using this method means you won’t be able to use your current payment method or existing Google Play balance, you’ll be required to enter a payment method from the country in question, and you won’t be able to change your country again for 365 days.

1. Open the Play Store app.

2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner to access the menu.

Google Play menu

3. Go to Account.

Google Play account

4. Scroll down to Country and profiles.

Google Play country

5. You should see the option to switch to the country you’re newly browsing from.

Google Play switch store

6. You’ll need to add a credit or debit card (or PayPal account) in order to be able to change your Google Play country or region.

7. Review the warning prompt and click Continue in order to enter payment details.

Change Google Play country warning

How to change your region on Google Play Store using a VPN

If the above method doesn’t work or isn’t suitable for you, you may want to try the following solution that lets you change your Google Play country or region without having to enter payment information. But, be warned that the following guide will erase your current Google Play account, but you can do it more frequently than the method above.

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.

phone menu settings

2. Scroll down and select Users & Accounts.

Settings users & accounts

3. Select Google.

Users & accounts Google

4. Click Remove.

Remove Google account

5. Read the warning and click Remove again.

6. Connect to a VPN server in the country from which you wish to browse Google Play. Our preferred choice of VPN is NordVPN, but Surfshark and ExpressVPN are two good alternatives.

7. Open the Google Play Store, where you’ll be asked to add your account. You may also be asked to set up your phone number and payment information, but you can choose to skip this step.

8. You should now be able to access all the region-specific apps from your desired region.

How we selected the top Google Play VPNs

You might be wondering how we went about choosing the best VPNs for changing your country on Google Play. We selected VPNs based on the following criteria:

  • Servers in dozens of countries for unblocking different Google Play Store regions
  • Fast and reliable connections for browsing, streaming, and torrenting
  • High level of security with encryption and a no-logs policy
  • Customer support via live chat as well as email
  • Easy-to-use desktop and mobile apps (and ideally browser extensions)
  • Includes a money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free

You can read more about our testing methodology below. For now, let’s take a look at the ones we recommend.

The best VPNs for changing your Google Play region: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Google Play.

No valueNordVPNSurfsharkExpressVPNCyberGhostIPVanishPrivateVPN
WebsiteNordVPN.comSurfshark.comExpressVPN.comCyberghost.comIPVanish.comPrivateVPN.com
Ranking for Google Play:123456
Streaming ServicesNetflix
Amazon Prime
Hulu
BBC iPlayer
Disney+
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Hulu
BBC iPlayer
Disney+
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Hulu
BBC iPlayer
Disney+
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Hulu
BBC iPlayer
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Netflix
Hulu
Avg Speed (Mbps)100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps39 Mbps
Devices SupportedWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TVWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, RoutersWindows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV
Total number of servers6,000+3,200Undisclosed11,000+2,200+200+
Best deal (per month)$3.09
Up to 69% off + 3 months FREE
$2.29
Save 85% on a 2 year Starter plan
$6.67
SAVE: 49% + 3 months free
$2.03
SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan
$2.75
SAVE 78% on the 2 yr plan
$2.00
Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free

The best VPNs to change country on Google Play

At Comparitech, it’s our goal to bring you the most accurate VPN information possible. In order to do this, we use and rigorously test each VPN before we ever recommend them to you. The following reviews are based on our extensive first-hand experiences.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for changing country on Google Play:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our first choice for Google Play. It outperforms all competitors in our speed tests and has one of the most expansive server networks of any VPN. In total, it has over 6,000 servers in 60+ countries. This includes options in the US and the UK. This VPN is excellent at securely accessing services, be it Google Play, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video. It can be used to connect up to 6 devices simultaneously, allowing you to secure all of your devices.

You’ll find that NordVPN offers a range of specialty servers for file-sharing as well as for enhanced online security. There’s also live chat support which is available 24/7 should you need it. Overall, this is a very secure VPN service that offers 256-bit AES encryption as well as DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Aside from a kill switch, there’s also a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy.

You can download NordVPN apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. Select routers can be configured manually.

Pros:

  • Excellent speeds
  • Lets you change your Google Play region and also unblock Netflix
  • An impressive network of more than 6,000 servers in 60+ countries
  • Use it to connect up to 6 devices simultaneously
  • Strong security with a strict no-logs policy as well as specialty servers
  • Excellent 24/7 live chat support

Cons:

  • Desktop apps can take some getting used to

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST VPN FOR GOOGLE PLAY:NordVPN is our top choice. Operates a network of over 6,000 high-speed servers. Use it to access Google Play in any country. Works with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video and lets you connect up to 6 devices. No-logs VPN with encryption and 24/7 live chat support. 30-day money-back guarantee makes it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review or check out our video review below.

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2. Surfshark

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that lets you change your Google Play country or region as well as unblock popular geo-restricted content abroad. Specifically, Surfshark works well with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. However, this VPN is most notable for offering an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, which is obviously great for sharing the VPN with family. With Surfshark, you’ll have access to thousands of servers in over 100 countries.

The Surfshark apps make it simple to search for and select a server. It’s also easy to adjust the various settings and activate features such as the ad-blocker. Surfshark takes your security seriously, and this is evident in its use of 256-bit AES encryption and DNS leak protection. This VPN also includes a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy. You can even choose to pay in cryptocurrency. If you have any questions, 24/7 live chat support is also included.

Surfshark apps are available for desktop (Windows, Linux, and Mac), mobile (Android and iOS), and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. Routers can be set up manually.

Pros:

  • Excels at streaming
  • Unlimited number of simultaneous connections
  • Beginner-friendly apps, as well as browser extensions
  • Offers 24/7 customer support via live chat
  • Wide range of easy-to-use apps and browser extensions available

Cons:

  • Additional monthly fee required to use certain features

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is a great choice for families as it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. No issues with Google Play or Netflix. Beginner-friendly apps and browser extensions, as well as 24/7 support. Protects your privacy with a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review, or check out our video review below.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN is another solid option for changing your country or region on Google Play. It has a network of more than 3,000 servers in an impressive 100+ countries. As such, you can use this VPN to access almost any Google Play country or region. What’s more, ExpressVPN is able to unblock most region-locked platforms, including Hulu. Connections are fast and very reliable, which means you shouldn’t experience any performance issues.

Aside from working well with Google Play, ExpressVPN is a very secure service. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and offers DNS and IPv6 leak protection. There’s also a kill switch feature that ensures none of your data is leaked should the VPN connection drop. This is a VPN that doesn’t keep any logs by which you could be identified. Specifically, ExpressVPN doesn’t store your IP address, browsing history, metadata, or DNS queries.

ExpressVPN is available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and routers. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox.

Pros:

  • Servers in 100+ countries for unblocking different versions of Google Play
  • Excellent speeds for using your favorite apps and games
  • Unblocks most popular streaming platforms
  • Offers 24/7 support via live chat
  • Security features include encryption and a kill switch

Cons:

  • More expensive than some of the other options on this list
  • Streaming servers aren’t labeled

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is a solid alternative for changing your country or region on Google Play. Over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. Fast speeds and user-friendly apps. Uses encryption to secure your data and includes 24/7 live chat support. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review or check out the video review below.

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4. CyberGhost

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is a highly secure VPN that you can use to change your Google Play country or region. You can make use of its large network of over 10,000 servers which are located across 100+ countries. In particular, this VPN has fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, which is ideal for Google Play apps and games that rely on an internet connection. Additionally, CyberGhost’s high-speed servers are perfect for streaming Netflix US.

This VPN offers 24/7 live chat support and lets you have up to 7 simultaneous connections. It offers a strong selection of user-friendly apps for desktop and mobile (including Android) and even Android TV. Your data is secured through CyberGhost’s use of 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks and an automatic kill switch. Just as important is the strict no-logs policy, which ensures your personal data stays private.

CyberGhost apps are available for the following platforms: Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick/Fire TV, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also offered. Manual installation is needed for routers.

Pros:

  • Fast speeds for Google Play apps and games requiring an internet connection
  • Encryption to secure your data and no-logs policy to protect privacy
  • User-friendly apps for a wide range of platforms
  • Lets you have up to 7 simultaneous connections
  • Customer support available 24/7 via live chat

Cons:

  • Can be a little slow to connect to some servers
  • Better suited to beginners than advanced users

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

HIGH SPEED STREAMING:CyberGhost has fast servers for streaming and torrenting. Unblocks Google Play. 10,000 servers in 100 countries, and lets you connect up to 7 devices. 24/7 live chat support and strong security with a strict no-logs policy. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish is headquartered in the US and has servers in dozens of countries around the world. This means you can use it to access the Google Play libraries of the US, UK, and even Japan. Whether you’re playing video games online or streaming your favorite content, IPVanish has good speeds for minimal interruption. Better still, this VPN lets you connect every device you own simultaneously, which is great considering most of its rivals only permit around five connections.

You can use IPVanish to securely access a wide range of geo-locked content, such as Netflix US. While the apps are simple enough to use, there’s live chat support should you have any problems. This is a no-logs service that owns rather than rents its servers. It protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks and uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data. An automatic kill switch feature is also included.

It’s possible to download IPVanish apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Manual configuration is required in the case of Linux and routers.

Pros:

  • Servers in dozens of countries for different versions of Google Play
  • Connect any number of devices simultaneously
  • Includes live chat support
  • No-logs VPN that protects your data with a high level of encryption

Cons:

  • Some VPNs are better for streaming
  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin

Our score:

4 out of 5

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish lets you connect all of your devices simultaneously. Use it to change your Google Play country or region. Servers in dozens of countries globally. Offers live chat support and has a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN is a small Swedish VPN with a network of approximately 200 servers. However, these servers are strategically spread across 63 countries, making it easy to securely access content from a wide range of international services. As well as working with Google Play, this VPN works with most popular streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. What’s more, it offers excellent speeds, so you’re unlikely to experience slow downloads or long periods of buffering.

This is a particularly beginner-friendly service in that it offers live chat support and even remote help and installation. The apps are easy to navigate, and connecting to a server takes mere seconds. You can also secure up to 10 devices simultaneously. Your privacy is protected through PrivateVPN’s use of 256-bit AES encryption. Further security features include DNS leak protection, a network kill switch, and a no-logs policy.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Linux and routers require manual installation.

Pros:

  • Fast servers for use with Google Play apps and games
  • Works with everything from Netflix to Amazon Prime Video
  • Live chat support and remote help and installation

Cons:

  • A limited number of servers to choose from
  • Only offers apps for desktop and mobile (no browser extensions)

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

FAST SERVERS::PrivateVPN is a high speed service for streaming or torrenting. Works well with Google Play, Netflix, and more. Easy to use for beginners and includes live chat support. Connect up to 10 devices. Uses encryption and has a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Private Internet Access is a solid choice for anyone looking to change their Google Play region. With a network spanning more than 90 countries and some pretty impressive unblocking abilities, there isn’t much you won’t be able to do. Best of all, this is one of the few VPNs that lets you connect every device you own simultaneously, so it’s perfect for sharing with family.

PIA values your security, as evidenced by its leak protection, adjustable encryption, and strict no-logging policy. You can even set up a proxy, block local devices from communicating with yours, or switch which port is used by default if you’d like. We really liked that this service doesn’t link user email addresses to their accounts since this adds an extra layer of anonymity, which is never a bad thing.

This provider offers apps for Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. It can also be manually configured to work with a wide range of wireless routers.

Pros:

  • Apps available on desktop and mobile
  • Has no connection limit
  • Secures your connection and blocks ads automatically

Cons:

  • Doesn’t work reliably in China
  • Could be better where streaming is concerned

Our score:

4 out of 5

EASY TO USE:PIA offers a high degree of customization but has clearly designed its apps to be novice-friendly. With steady speeds, a wide server network, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s a lot to like.

Check out our full Private Internet Access review for more details.

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Finding the best VPNs for Google Play: our methodology

It’s not always easy (or affordable!) for you to try multiple VPNs with Google Play. With some VPNs failing to work with Google Play, we thought we’d save you some time with our recommendations. Below, we explain our methodology for finding the best VPNs for changing countries on Google Play:

  • Servers worldwide: We don’t know exactly which country version of Google Play you’d like to access. As such, it makes sense that any VPNs we recommend provide plenty of servers. In all cases, servers are available in dozens of countries. This makes it easy to get an IP address for your preferred country and access Google Play.
  • Speed: Planning on downloading a streaming service or online game? You’ll want fast server speeds as well as unlimited bandwidth. Fortunately, our speed tests identified the fastest VPNs on the market. You, therefore, won’t have to contend with low resolution when streaming or excessive lag while gaming online.
  • Unblocking: It’s not uncommon to encounter geographic restrictions when traveling abroad. Streaming services, news sites, social media platforms, and even online banking accounts can all be affected. This makes it all the more important to find a VPN that consistently provides a strong unblocking ability.
  • Security: Regardless of your location, cybercriminals remain a threat.
    However, using a VPN secures your internet traffic through the use of high-end encryption. At a minimum, we look for this as well as a kill switch and DNS leak protection in our testing. That way, you can be sure that you’re using a truly secure VPN.
  • Privacy: Believe it or not, some VPNs log and sell your personal data. Others may leak information due to their inferior security. This is why a strict no-logs policy is so important in a VPN. To find those that best protect your privacy, we analyzed 140 VPN logging policies and only recommend zero-logs VPNS. Note that some VPNs even let you pay anonymously in Bitcoin.
  • Ease of use: As part of our tests, we download and install VPN apps for a wide range of operating systems. You can be sure that the best VPNs for changing Google Play country offer beginner-friendly apps that are quick and easy to navigate. Better still, all include 24/7 live chat and email support.
  • Value for money: The VPNs listed in this post offer all of the above as well as affordable short-term and long-term subscription options. Add to this their free trials, money-back guarantees, and our VPN discount coupons, and they’re easily the best value-for-money VPNs on the market.

We test each VPN against all of the above criteria. This VPN testing methodology is what helps us identify the best VPNs for any use case and ensure you’re getting a great deal.

VPNs for Google Play: FAQs

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

You can use some free VPNs to change your Google Play country or region. However, we don’t recommend you use free VPNs for a number of reasons. For starters, free VPNs aren’t very good at unblocking content. So if you’re planning on streaming the likes of Netflix or HBO, your best bet is with a quality paid VPN service.

Even if a free VPN is able to unblock a geo-restricted site or service, chances are that the performance will be poor. Browsing, streaming, and torrenting with free VPNs can be frustrating. That’s because free VPNs don’t typically have many servers. What’s more, these services often have far too many users, which means high server load and performance issues.

As if being unable to unblock content and slow speeds weren’t enough, free VPNs don’t do any favors for your online security. Many don’t use encryption to secure your data, while others lack important security features such as a kill switch. Finally, many free VPNs log the data of users, selling it to third parties. If you value your online privacy, free VPNs are simply best avoided.

Which country versions of Google Play are available?

Google Play is available in most countries, all of which have their own version of the Google Play Store. Here’s a short list of some of the versions of Google Play that you can access when you change your country or region:

  • USA
  • UK
  • France
  • Germany
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Spain
  • Japan
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • And lots more!

Is it illegal to change country in the Google Play Store?

According to the Google Play Terms of Service you may not “attempt to, or assist, authorize or encourage others to circumvent, disable or defeat any of the security features or components that protect, obfuscate or otherwise restrict access to any Content or Google Play.” So, while using a VPN is not illegal, it is therefore against Google’s Terms of Service to use a VPN to access geo-restricted content in the Google Play Store. It may also result in the suspension of your account.

Disclaimer: No content in this article should be taken as legal advice. While we do our best to provide information that is as accurate as possible, we at Comparitech are not experts in international law. Legal requirements in your country may vary and may perhaps contradict with statements made in this article. For legal advice related to Google Play use in your country or abroad, please contact a professional legal consultant in your area.

How do you change regions on Google Play without a credit card?

It’s not possible to change regions on your Google Play without providing a payment method from the new country. It’s also worth knowing that you can only change your Google Play country once a year. So if you do change Google Play region, you’ll be stuck with that one for some time.

What you can potentially do instead is create an entirely new Google account for the country version you’d like to access and choose to skip the payment registration. To try this, follow the instructions above.

Why can't I access the app I want in my Google Play store?

Google Play has geo-restrictions in place which means some apps are only available in certain countries. This is common practice with TV movie and music streaming sites and platforms due to copy and broadcasting rights, but it can be frustrating for users.

The easiest way to bypass it is to connect to a VPN server in the location of the app you want to access – for instance, a server in the UK to access apps such as Sky Go or BBC iPlayer, or a server in the US to access Hulu or NBC. To do this, follow the instructions above.

Do I really need a VPN to change my Play Store region?

Strictly speaking, no. You could simply visit the country whose Google Play Store you’d like to access, then change your account region. However, most people would prefer a quicker, less expensive method of switching places.

That’s where the VPN comes in. By connecting to a server in your preferred country, you can skip the need to actually visit, and simply trick Google into thinking you’re already there by changing your IP address. This works because all of your data is routed through a server in that location, concealing your true location and allowing you to access region-exclusive services and apps from anywhere.