Complete guide to changing the region and location on your Android phone

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to easily change the region of your Android phone? More and more people are looking to access apps, services, and features only available in other countries, or simply want to change their location to get the most out of their device. But what does changing the region on an Android phone actually mean, and what methods are available to do it without complications?

Changing your phone's region can open the door to a world of new features and benefits, from accessing exclusive content to circumventing restrictions imposed in your country. However, this process involves questions, risks, and some steps you should be familiar with. Here's how to explain them. All you need to know, from A to Z, on how to change the region or location on Android, including advantages, limitations, official and alternative methods, tips, warnings, and solutions to common problems that may arise during the process.

Why change the region or location of an Android phone?

Changing the region or location of your Android phone is becoming more and more common. There are several compelling reasons that push users to make this decision.:

Change the region of your Android step by step

Access to exclusive content: Many apps, games, movies, and streaming services release new features or catalogs limited to certain countries. Changing your region allows you to access blocked content or get ahead of its arrival in your country.
Unlock hidden features: Some manufacturers restrict utilities, customization, themes, wallpapers, or features based on region. For example, Xiaomi phones offer more customization options, fonts, and exclusive apps if you set the region to India or China.
Bypassing legal or technical restrictions: In some countries, legal limits apply to audio volume, payment services, banking apps, and other features. Changing the region is sometimes the only way to overcome these barriers.
Optimize prices or subscriptions: For digital services (apps, streaming, in-app purchases), prices may vary by region. Changing your location can be helpful to take advantage of offers or subscribe where it's cheaper.
Privacy and control: Some users prefer to change their location to increase privacy, avoid tracking, or receive ads and recommendations tailored to other countries.
Try apps and games before anyone else: Developers release betas or launch apps in specific territories. By changing your region, you can be among the first to try out new features.

Changing the Google Play Region on Android: Steps, Requirements, and Limitations

One of the main changes you can make to your Android phone is to change the region associated with your Google Play account. This directly affects the content, apps and games available for download and purchase.. However, the process has important nuances and certain restrictions that are worth knowing before taking the step.

How to change the region in the Google Play Store on Android?

Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Click on your profile icon at the top right.
Enter the section Settings and access General admission.
Choose Account and device preferences.
Click on Country and profiles.
Choose the country you want to change to, and follow the instructions to add a valid payment method in that country.

It's important to have on mind: The option to change the region does not always appear automaticallyYou will only see it if Google detects that you are physically located in a different country than the one configured, usually through your IP address. Sometimes it requires having lived or at least spent some time in the new country.

Conditions and limitations when changing countries on Google Play

You can only change countries once a year: After changing the region, you'll have to wait 12 months before changing it again.
You must have a local payment method: To complete the transfer, you'll need to add a card or bank account from the destination country, or use a PayPal account linked there.
You can't be part of a Google family group: If you have a family profile, you'll need to log out of it to change regions.
Google Play balance and points: Tu google play balance and points are tied to a country. If you change, You will not be able to use your balance or points in the new country.The balance remains associated with the previous country, and the points are lost.
Some subscriptions may no longer be available: After the change, services or subscriptions may not work if they don't exist in the new region. Others will remain active unless canceled by you or the developer.
It may take up to 48 hours for the profile to update: After making the change, the new content will appear in the store gradually.

Common problems and solutions when changing countries on Google Play

You don't see the option to change country: You may have changed your region in the last year, you may not be physically located in your destination country, or your account may be linked to a family group.
Payment methods block the change: If you have active payment methods from the previous region, remove them and add a valid payment method from the new country using Google Pay in a web browser.
Error completing purchases due to regional mismatches: Make sure the country selected in Google Play matches your country of residence, or update your account settings.
Google Play Pass and subscriptions: If your Play Pass subscription doesn't exist in the new country, you'll only be able to use the apps you've already installed until the subscription expires or is canceled.
Balance or points lost: When you change countries, you'll only be able to use your balance if you return to your previous region. Points don't transfer.

How to fix Google Play errors when changing regions

Test to clear data and cache from the Google Play Store and Google Play Services from your phone's settings: Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache > Clear cache and Clear data. Repeat the process for Google Play Services.
Update the Google Play Store app Go to Settings > About > Version. Install any pending updates.
If nothing works, Delete your Google account from your phone and add it again.. Or remove old payment methods and add a new one as explained above.

Change the region on Xiaomi, Realme, Huawei, and other Android phones

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Not all region changes are handled through Google Play. Some manufacturers allow you to do this directly from the system settings., which can unlock customization options and restricted apps:

On Xiaomi phones

Open the app Settings.
Go to Additional adjustments and select Region.
Choose the desired country.

Warning: Changing regions may cause some apps to temporarily stop working or experience new crashes, especially if you're using a European or global ROM and you select countries with a radically different operating system.

What are the benefits and risks of changing the region on mobile phones with a custom layer?

Appearance of new exclusive apps: Some manufacturers release utilities only for certain markets. If you select the India region, for example, you'll get additional features and more customization options.
Removal of regional restrictions: For example, the volume limit on headphones in Spain disappears if you choose a region where that restriction doesn't exist.
More topics and sources: Theme apps unlock more icons, backgrounds, and fonts, especially if you select China or India as your region.
Access to banking apps or payment methods: If your bank doesn't allow operations in a region, change it to one where the app you need works.
Risk of malfunction: Some pre-installed apps, features, or updates may become unavailable if the region you choose doesn't match the ROM or expected services.

Change GPS location on Android: methods and tools

Another way to change the visible region of your mobile is to simulate a different GPS locationThis can be useful for location-dependent apps, geolocation-based games like Pokémon GO, streaming services, or app testing.

Why change the GPS location of your mobile?

Protect privacy: Spoofing your location prevents apps and services from tracking your actual location.
Access to geo-restricted content: You can unlock catalogs of apps, games, movies, or music exclusive to a zone.
Testing and development: Developers use fake locations to test how their apps behave in different regions.
Avoid personalized advertising: This way you won't receive ads targeted based on your actual location.
Bypass restrictions on some games: As is the case with apps that require physical movement.
Plan virtual routes and trips: Simulate trips from different cities to test map and navigation services.

Methods to simulate GPS on Android

There are two main methods to spoof location on Android:

Using a GPS spoofing app: Applications such as Fake GPS Location, GPS Emulator or Fake GPS Joystick allow you to set a fake location. You must first activate the developer options from the settings (by tapping the build number in the phone information several times), and select the app as application to simulate location in said menu.
Use a computer with specialized software: Tools like Tenorshare iAnyGo or Dr.Fone allow you to modify GPS location via a USB connection. This is more difficult to detect due to some games or apps that block spoofing on a per-app basis.

How to set up a GPS simulation app step by step?

Download a reliable app from Google Play, such as Fake GPS Location.
Activate the developer options (Settings > About phone > tap the build number 10 times).
Enter the developer menu and select «Choose application to simulate location». Choose the installed app.
Open the app and mark the desired location on the map. Press the start or play button to activate the simulation.
Check with Google Maps or any other mapping app to see if your location has changed.

Important: The use of GPS-spoofing apps may be detected by some services, which may block accounts or restrict their use. Use them at your own risk and never violate legal terms or conditions of use.

Simulate location with computer programs

If you're looking for an even harder-to-detect GPS location, PC programs (such as Tenorshare iAnyGo or Dr.Fone) offer advanced solutions. Their general operation involves installing the software, connecting your phone via USB, and selecting a location to virtually "teleport" your phone there. These tools are ideal for games like Pokémon GO, bypassing blockages caused by detected fake apps. They are usually paid, but offer free trials.

VPN: Change your IP and unblock regions quickly

Another alternative to simulate that you are in another country is use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN allows you to connect to the internet through servers located anywhere in the world, thus masking your real IP address. This doesn't change your phone's internal region or Google Play's region, but it does allow you to:

Access content blocked in other countries (streaming services, websites, apps, etc.).
Protecting your privacy from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other trackers.
Save on purchases: Some online prices vary by country.
Enjoy exclusive services, previews, and betas launched in other territories.

To use a VPN on Android:

Download a trusted VPN app from Google Play (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or ProtonVPN).
Follow the instructions to register and choose the country you want to connect to.
Once activated, your IP address will change and you'll be able to browse as if you were in that country.

To consider: A VPN doesn't internally change your country in Google Play or your phone's GPS, but it does unblock a lot of content, especially multimedia, and can be an essential complement for downloading restricted apps or using exclusive services.

Change the region in services and manufacturer layers (Samsung, Huawei, etc.)

On Samsung phones, changing the region associated with your account isn't done from an app, but from a web browser by logging into your Samsung account profile. The process may require unlinking payment methods and reconfiguring services.

Huawei, Realme, and other Chinese brands also offer options to change regions from settings, although the scope varies depending on the model and version.

Advanced options and additional location settings on Android

Beyond changing the region or faking a location, Android offers a comprehensive set of settings to manage how your phone uses your location information:

Turn location on or off: From Settings > Location, you can turn location-based apps and services on or off completely, which affects them.
Select precision mode: You can choose between “High accuracy” (uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks), “Battery saving” (Wi-Fi and networks only), or “Device only” (GPS only), which affects your privacy and battery consumption.
Location history: Allows Google to record your movements to offer recommendations and improvements to your experience, although you can disable this for privacy reasons.
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Scanning: Allows the phone to search for networks and devices to improve location even when these features are disabled.
Emergency Location Services: In the event of an emergency call, your mobile phone can send your last position to rescue services.
Manage location permissions by app: Starting with Android 12, you can decide whether an app accesses your precise, approximate, or not at all location.

Case Studies: Which users find region changing useful?

Customization fans: Users who want more themes, fonts, or exclusive apps.
Mobile gamers: Those looking for advances or rewards in location-based games.
Travelers or expatriates: People who need to access services from their country of origin while temporarily residing abroad.
Those looking to save: Users should be aware of price differences by country for digital subscriptions.

Advantages and risks of changing the region or location on Android

Advantages:

Access to more content, apps and features not available in your country.
Greater mobile customization depending on the region chosen.
Ability to overcome restrictions or limitations imposed at the local level.
Improvements in privacy and control of personal information.
Possibility to try services and apps before anyone else.

Risks:

Apps crashing or malfunctioning: Some apps may stop working if they detect a region inconsistency or use specific local data.
Loss of balance, points or subscriptions: When you change countries, you may lose access to your Google Play balance or store benefits.
Terms of Service Violation: There are methods (such as changing GPS or VPN for certain purposes) that may not be allowed by Google or app developers.
Detection and banning in games: Using GPS-spoofing apps or VPNs in games like Pokémon GO can result in temporary or permanent bans.
Failure in payments and collections: Purchases may be blocked if the card does not match the configured region.

Extra tips before changing the region or location on Android

Get to know the specific characteristics of the region you want to move to. India and China tend to offer more customization options, but some apps may be blocked or in a different language.
Always keep a backup copy. Before making any extensive changes to settings, back up your data in case you need to restore it.
Avoid making changes if you rely on banking apps or services in your country. Changing your region may affect mobile payments and essential apps.
Remember the deadlines and limitations: Only change countries if you're planning to stay there for a while or really need access. Remember that Google Play is limited to one change per year.
Check out forums and user communities. Others may have tested the change on your specific phone model or ROM.

Nowadays, Changing the region or location of your Android phone is an increasingly common process with a range of real benefits for the advanced or restless user.Whether you're looking for access to exclusive services, privacy, or savings, knowing the official and alternative options, as well as their pros, cons, and risks, will allow you to make informed decisions.

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Of course, always proceed with caution, assess whether you really need it, and choose the method that best suits your situation: from changing Google Play and system settings to GPS simulation apps or using a VPN in combination. If you follow these tips and recommendations, you can enjoy new features on your Android without any unpleasant surprises or issues. Share this guide and help other users improve their Android skills.