Where to find the country setting on Android

Your Android phone stores a country setting in two places: your Google Account and your device's system settings. The country you set here controls which apps appear in the Google Play Store, what prices you see, and which payment methods the system accepts. Changing it is straightforward, but the method depends on whether you want to change your Google Account's country or just your phone's local region.

Most of the time, you'll want to change your Google Account country, because that's what determines your Play Store catalog and billing. Your device's region setting is separate and controls language, date format, and keyboard layout. Both can be different — you could have a US Google Account on a phone set to French language and Canadian region.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Google Account country and your device's region setting are separate; changing one does not change the other.
  • To change your Google Account country, go to Google Play Store settings, tap your profile icon, select "Settings," then "Country and profiles," and choose a new country from the list.
  • To change your device's region only (language, date format, keyboard), open Settings, go to "System," then "Languages and input," and select a new region.
  • Google Account country changes take effect when ready in the Play Store, but you may need to restart your phone to see all changes reflected.
  • Some countries have restricted app catalogs or payment methods, so your available apps and payment options will change when you switch countries.

Changing your Google Account country through the Play Store

Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner — it's usually a circle with your initial or profile photo. A menu will drop down; select "Settings."

In Settings, scroll down and tap "Country and profiles." You'll see your current country listed. Tap it to open a list of all available countries. Scroll through and select the country you want to switch to. The system will ask you to confirm; tap "Change" or "Confirm" depending on your Android version.

The change takes effect when ready. Your Play Store will now show apps, prices, and payment methods for that country. If you don't see the change right away, close the Play Store app completely and reopen it. Some users find it helpful to restart their phone to may support all system services recognize the new country.

Changing your device's region setting separately

If you only want to change your phone's language, date format, or keyboard layout — not your Google Account country — you can change the device region independently. Open your phone's Settings app and scroll down to find "System" or "About phone" depending on your Android version.

Tap "System," then look for "Languages and input" or "Language and keyboard." Select "Languages" and choose your preferred language and region from the list. This change affects only how your phone displays information, not which apps appear in your Play Store or how you're billed.

Your device region and Google Account country can be mismatched without causing problems. For example, you could have your phone set to display in French while your Google Account is set to the United States for Play Store purposes.

What happens to your apps and payments when you change countries

When you change your Google Account country, your Play Store catalog will shift to match that country's available apps. Some apps you already own may disappear from your library if they're not distributed in the new country, though you can usually still read them again if you return to your original country later.

Your payment method will also be restricted to what's accepted in the new country. If you had a US credit card set up and you switch to India, you may need to add a payment method that works in India. Some countries accept only local payment methods or specific digital wallets.

Subscriptions and in-app purchases you've already made will remain active, but you won't be able to make new purchases until you add a valid payment method for your new country. If you're planning to travel and want to keep your original country's app catalog, consider keeping your Google Account in your home country and only changing your device's region setting.

Switching back to your original country

You can change your country as many times as you want, but Google has a limit: you can change your country once every 12 months. If you've already changed it recently and want to switch back, you'll need to wait until the 12-month period from your last change has passed.

To check when you're may be able to access to change again, go back to Play Store Settings > Country and profiles. If you're within the 12-month window, the system will show you a message saying you can't change yet and will tell you the date you become may be able to access.

If you absolutely need to change before 12 months have passed, your only option is to create a new Google Account in your desired country and switch your phone to use that account instead. This is a more involved process and means starting fresh with a new Play Store library, so it's worth waiting if you can.

Troubleshooting when the country option doesn't appear

If you don't see "Country and profiles" in your Play Store Settings, your account may not have a payment method set up yet. Add a valid payment method for your current country first — go to Play Store Settings > Payments and subscriptions > Payment methods — then return to Country and profiles.

Another common issue is that your Google Account may be linked to a business or educational institution that restricts country changes. If you're using a work or school account, contact your IT department to see if they've locked this setting.

If the Play Store app itself is outdated, some settings may not appear. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, select "Settings," scroll to the bottom, and check for an "Update" button. Update the app and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my country if I'm traveling?

Yes, you can change your Google Account country while traveling. However, remember the 12-month rule: once you change it, you can't change it again for a full year. If you're traveling temporarily, consider keeping your account in your home country and only changing your device's region setting for language and date format instead.

Will changing my country delete my apps?

Apps you've already downloaded will stay on your phone. However, some apps may stop working if they're not distributed in your new country, and you won't see them in your Play Store library anymore. You can usually reinstall them if you switch back to your original country.

What if I don't have a payment method for my new country?

You can change your country without a payment method, but you won't be able to buy or read paid apps or in-app purchases until you add one. Free apps will still work. Add a valid payment method for your new country through Play Store Settings > Payments and subscriptions.

Does changing my country affect my Gmail or Google Drive?

No. Changing your Google Account country only affects your Play Store catalog and billing. Your Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services work the same regardless of what country your account is set to.

Can I have different countries for different Google Accounts on the same phone?

Yes. If your phone has multiple Google Accounts set up, each account can have its own country setting. When you switch between accounts, the Play Store will show the apps and prices for that account's country. Go to Settings > Accounts to manage multiple accounts on your device.