Changing your country in Google Play requires you to update your Google Account location and payment method

Google Play ties your country setting to your Google Account's registered location and billing address. To change it, you update those details in your Google Account settings, then refresh Google Play. The process takes about 10 minutes and does not require you to create a new account. However, you cannot change your country more than once every 12 months, and doing so will remove all apps, games, and in-app purchases from your device until you reinstall them.

The country you select determines which apps are available to you, what prices you see, and which payment methods Google Play accepts. Some apps are restricted to certain regions, so changing your country may hide apps that were previously visible. Your existing purchases stay tied to your original country account, though you can still access them after the change.

Key Takeaways

  • You must change your Google Account location and add a valid payment method for your new country before Google Play will update.
  • Google Play restricts country changes to once per 12 months, so choose carefully — you cannot switch back immediately.
  • Apps you installed before the change remain on your device, but you cannot reinstall them or download new ones until you change back to your original country.
  • Some apps are region-locked and will disappear from your store view after you change countries, even if you previously owned them.

Step-by-step process to change your country

Start by opening your web browser and going to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Google Account linked to your Google Play store. Click Personal info in the left menu, then find the Country/Region field. Click the pencil icon to edit it and select your new country from the dropdown menu. Save the change.

Next, add or update a payment method for your new country. Go back to myaccount.google.com and click Payments & subscriptions in the left menu. Click Payment methods, then Add a payment method. Enter a valid credit card, debit card, or other payment option registered to an address in your new country. Google will verify this address matches your account location.

Open the Google Play app on your Android device and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then General. Scroll down and tap Account. Your account should now show your new country. If it does not, sign out of Google Play entirely, restart your device, and sign back in.

What happens to your apps and purchases after the change

Apps you installed before changing countries stay on your device and continue to work. However, you cannot update them through Google Play until you change your country back. If you uninstall an app, you cannot reinstall it from your new country's store — the app listing will not appear.

In-app purchases and subscriptions you made in your original country remain active, but you cannot manage them from your new country's store. If a subscription renews, it will charge the payment method you added for your new country, not your original one. To cancel or modify a subscription, you must change your country back temporarily or contact the app developer directly.

Paid apps you bought in your original country show as "Installed" in your new country's store, but you cannot download them again. Free apps you installed can be reinstalled normally. Any store credit or gift cards from your original country become unusable once you switch.

Payment methods accepted in different countries

Google Play accepts different payment methods depending on your country. Most countries accept credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Some countries also accept PayPal, Google Play gift cards, carrier billing (charged to your phone bill), or local payment methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands or Alipay in China.

When you add a payment method, Google verifies that the billing address matches your new country's location. If you use a card issued in a different country, the address on file must still be in your new country. Some banks flag international transactions as fraud, so contact your bank before adding your card to Google Play if you are concerned.

The 12-month waiting period and what it means

Google enforces a 12-month rule: you cannot change your country again until a full year has passed since your last change. This rule applies whether you change back to your original country or switch to a third country. The 12 months is measured from the date you completed the previous change, not from when you started the process.

If you try to change your country before 12 months have passed, Google Play will show an error message stating when you will be able to change again. There is no way to bypass this restriction. If you need to change your country urgently, you must contact Google Support, though they rarely grant exceptions.

Troubleshooting common problems when changing countries

Your account still shows the old country after you updated it: Sign out of your Google Account completely on your device. Go to Settings > Accounts > Google and select your account, then tap Remove account. Restart your device, then sign back in. This forces Google Play to sync your updated country setting.

Google Play says your payment method is invalid: The billing address on your card must match your new country exactly. Check that the country field on your card's billing address matches what you entered in Google Account settings. If you are using a card from a different country, you may need to add a local payment method instead. Contact your bank to confirm the address on file.

Apps you owned are now showing as unavailable: This happens when an app is region-locked to your original country. You cannot download it again from your new country's store. If you need the app, you must change your country back (after waiting 12 months if you have already changed once). Some developers offer the same app under different names in different regions — search the store to see if an alternative version exists.

Your subscription renewed with the wrong payment method: Once you change countries, all future charges use your new country's payment method. If you want to keep using your old payment method, you must change your country back before the subscription renews. Check your subscription renewal date in Google Play settings under Subscriptions and plan accordingly.

Alternatives if you cannot change your country

If you have already changed your country once and must wait for the 12-month period to end, you have limited options. You can create a second Google Account registered to your new country and use that account on your device alongside your original account. Apps and purchases will be separate between the two accounts, but you can switch between them in Google Play settings.

If you need a specific app that is not available in your new country, check whether the developer offers it through a different app store or their own website. Some apps can be sideloaded (installed manually) if you download the APK file from a trusted source, though this carries security risks and bypasses Google Play's protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my country more than once?

Yes, but only once every 12 months. The restriction is strict — Google counts 12 months from the date you completed your last country change, not from when you started the process. You cannot change back to your original country and then change to a new one within the same 12-month window.

Will I lose my apps if I change my country?

Apps stay on your device, but you cannot update or reinstall them from your new country's store. If you uninstall an app, it will not appear in your new country's store, even if you owned it before. Paid apps show as "Installed" but cannot be downloaded again until you change your country back.

What if my payment method is declined when I try to change countries?

Google requires a valid payment method registered to an address in your new country. If your card is declined, the billing address on file may not match your new country, or your bank may have flagged the transaction as suspicious. Contact your bank to confirm the address is correct, or try a different payment method accepted in your new country.

Can I use a VPN to access apps from a different country's store?

Using a VPN to bypass Google Play's country restrictions violates Google's terms of service and can result in your account being suspended. Google detects VPN usage and may lock your account temporarily. The legitimate way to access apps from a different country is to change your country setting through your Google Account.

What happens to my Google Play gift cards when I change countries?

Gift cards are tied to the country where they were purchased. Once you change your country, gift cards from your original country become unusable. You cannot redeem them in your new country's store. Spend any remaining balance before you change your country, or wait until you can change back to use them.