How to Use a VPN to Change Country on 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 100+ countries with incredible speeds. Use it to watch Netflix and BBC iPlayer securely. Connect up to 10 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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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.
8. PureVPN: Novice-friendly service with a network spanning more than 60 countries. Delivers impressive speeds, all of the essential security tools, and 24/7 customer support.
9. ProtonVPN: A fantastic option for changing your Google Play region. Also works with a wide range of streaming services and includes a first-class security toolkit.

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.

3. Go to Account.

4. Scroll down to Country and profiles.

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

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.

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.

2. Scroll down and select Users & Accounts.

3. Select Google.

4. Click Remove.

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, IPVanish, and ExpressVPN are 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.

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

Nov 2024

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 100+ 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 10 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.

NordVPN speed test data

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 10 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

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.

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. IPVanish

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.

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 here, or check out our video review.

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4. ExpressVPN

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.

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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5. CyberGhost

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.

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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6. PrivateVPN

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.

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

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.

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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8. PureVPN

PureVPN has a larger network than many of its rivals, with over 6,000 servers spread throughout 65 countries. In other words, you’ll be able to switch Google Play region and install apps from just about anywhere. With average speeds of almost 400 Mbps, this VPN is suitable for live streaming, playing online games, and video calling, among many other tasks. It permits up to 10 simultaneous connections and lets you speak directly to customer support staff if you run into any problems.

The apps are very easy to use and won’t overwhelm novices. By default, PureVPN keeps you safe using a combination of unbreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. Plus and Max subscribers can also block trackers automatically. Plenty of VPNs say that they don’t keep logs but PureVPN has gone out of its way to prove it, undergoing four independent audits. Further, it’s one of the only major providers that still works in China, which says a lot about its ability to keep your activities private.

PureVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. Additionally, it provides manual setup instructions so you can install it on a wide range of routers.

NO-LOGS VPN::PureVPN simplifies the process of protecting yourself online. It doesn’t keep logs, is designed for beginners, and can easily sidestep Google’s region locking. Every subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our complete review of PureVPN.

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9. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN provides access to 3,800 servers in 85 countries – far more than many of its rivals. Whether you’re looking to change your Google Play Store region or access your favorite streaming platforms abroad, it’s up to the task. In fact, with average speeds of over 300 Mbps, this VPN can handle just about anything you throw at it. Users can secure up to 10 devices at a time, and support staff are available 24/7 via live chat. There’s even a built-in ad-blocker to help you remove one of the biggest annoyances of browsing the web.

This VPN provides experienced users with lots of ways to customize their connection. For instance, you can allow certain apps to pass through the VPN unencrypted or set up port forwarding. There are also multi-hop servers (called Secure Core servers) that send your data through multiple countries to make you even harder to track. As you might expect, ProtonVPN uses uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, plus it follows an independently verified zero-logs policy. Users have the option to pay with Bitcoin or cash in case they’d like to register anonymously.

ProtonVPN apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. The website provides detailed instructions for getting the service running on your router, too.

EXCELLENT SECURITY::ProtonVPN puts your privacy first and doesn’t compromise on performance. Can easily change your Google Play region or access geo-blocked services abroad. Paid subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For more details, read our full ProtonVPN review.

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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