How to Update Play Store Settings After Moving to a New Country

Have you recently relocated to a different country? Amidst the chaos of settling in and possibly absorbing a new language, you may overlook an important step: updating your Google Play Store country settings. This step is crucial for accessing apps that cater to your new region. Let’s delve deeper into this essential process.

Why You Should Change Your Play Store Country

Apps available on the Google Play Store are not uniformly accessible across the globe. Just as streaming services have geolocation restrictions for movies and shows, various apps are limited to specific regions. For instance, an app available in the US may be inaccessible in Australia.

By adjusting your Play Store settings to reflect your new country, you unlock a wealth of region-specific applications that enhance your smartphone experience. This is particularly beneficial if you’re looking to engage with local services and tools.

How to Change Your Google Play Store Country

Before you adjust your location settings, bear in mind that this change is only advisable if you’re permanently relocating. Google allows a country change just once every twelve months. Thus, if you’re temporarily visiting, it might be best to maintain your current settings.

To proceed with changing your Play Store country, ensure that your device’s location services are enabled and follow these steps:

Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Navigate to Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Country and profiles.
If your location services are active and you’re genuinely located in the new country, you should see an option to select it.

Change Play Store Country Settings Changing

Upon selecting your new country, you’ll be prompted to update your billing information. Even if you’re not planning to make a purchase immediately, adding a local billing method is a requirement (you can always remove it later).

If you find yourself unable to change the country settings, it might be due to one of the following reasons:

Being part of a Family Group, as Google prohibits country changes for group members.
Not physically present in the new country. Google uses location data to verify your whereabouts; using a VPN can help if you’re not yet there.
Your Play Store app is outdated; ensure it’s updated to the latest version or consider reinstalling the app.
Cache problems; clearing the Play Store cache may be necessary. Do this via Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear cache. Avoid clearing data, as this requires re-entering your account details.

If you continue encountering issues, you might need to clear your Google account associated with the Play Store. Follow these steps:

Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store.
Tap Storage > Clear data.
Restart your device and re-add your Google account.

Keep in mind that the changes may take up to 48 hours to take effect once you’ve initiated the process. If the option to switch countries is visible, allow some time before troubleshooting further.

Understanding App Availability Post Country Change

Once you adjust your Play Store country, expect some significant changes regarding app availability. Numerous apps are region-restricted, and developers might limit their access to select countries.

While you may discover fresh applications that were unavailable in your previous country, you could also lose access to others. It’s a smart move to check whether your favorite apps are accessible in your new region before making the switch.

Do note that regional limitations also extend to movies, TV shows, and books available for purchase. If you’ve previously bought or downloaded content, you can still access it, but redownloading may not be possible if the item is restricted in your new location.

Adapting Your Subscriptions and Points

One of the more challenging aspects of changing your Play Store country is managing subscriptions. Even after updating your payment details, your ongoing subscriptions will continue to process under the previous account settings unless you cancel them.

Once you set your new country preferences, it’s crucial to delete old subscriptions and re-subscribe using your new payment details. Ensure that the respective app is available in your new country before resubscribing.

It’s important to remember that any Google Play balance is tethered to your old country account; utilize your balance before transitioning. If you have accumulated Google Play Points, these will also be invalidated unless you revert to your original country.

For users subscribed to the Google Play Pass, it will continue to function as long as it remains available in your new country. Otherwise, you’ll need to cancel the subscription to avoid unwanted charges.

If you find yourself unable to access favorite apps after moving, consider exploring alternatives within the Google Play Store or sideloading apps you need through reliable sources.

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if I can change my Play Store country?

Ensure you are physically located in the new country and that you have not changed your Play Store country in the last 12 months. If you’re part of a Family Group, you must leave the group first.

2. Will I lose access to my existing apps when I change my Play Store country?

Some apps may no longer be accessible or receive updates after changing your country. It’s advisable to check the availability of your most used apps in the new country before making changes.

3. What should I do with my Google Play balance before changing countries?

You should utilize your Google Play balance before changing your country, as it is linked to your previous country account and will not transfer to a new one.

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