Changing the country on an Honor smartphone or any other device running the Android operating system may be required for various reasons. Most often, users are faced with the need to access content that is not available in the current geographic region, or they want to change the currency for displaying prices in official app stores. This process is not always obvious, since electronics manufacturers and software developers hide these settings in different sections of the interface.
It is important to understand that it is impossible to globally change the region of the entire operating system with one “switch” button without flashing the device. However, there is a set of measures that allow you to emulate being in another country for most services. This applies primarily to your Google account, the Huawei AppGallery store, as well as the settings of payment systems and news aggregators. Below we will analyze all the available methods, from simple changes in the profile to deeper system settings.
Changing the region in the smartphone settings
The first step to take is to check the system settings of the device itself. In the MagicOS shell, which is used on modern Honor smartphones, and in pure Android, the path to these parameters may differ, but the logic remains the same. Changing this setting affects the display format of the date, time, as well as the operation of some system applications, such as “Weather” or “News”.
To find these settings, you need to go to the menu Settings and select the item System and updates. Here you should look for the section Language and region. It is in this menu that the country that will be used by default for system services is set. After selecting the desired state from the list, the interface may require a reboot or simply apply the changes instantly by changing the number and calendar formats.
- 🌍 Go to
Settings→System and updates→Language and region. - 📱 Click on the item
Regionand select the desired country from the drop-down list. - ⏳ Wait for the changes to be applied, which may affect the time format and currency.
It is worth noting that changing the region in the system settings does not guarantee an instant change of the country in the Google Play store or Huawei AppGallery. These services have their own bindings and often ignore the system parameter, relying on the IP address and account information. However, this step is basic and necessary for the correct operation of local services.
⚠️ Attention: After changing the region in the phone settings, some pre-installed widgets, such as the news feed or recommendations, may begin to display content in the language of the selected country or become unavailable.
Before changing the region, it is recommended to make a backup a copy of important data, since in rare cases system applications can reset their settings to default.
Changing the country in the Google Play account
The most critical point for many users is changing the country in the Google Play store. This is where your purchase history, subscriptions and account balance are stored. Google strictly links your account to the country of first use, and you can change it only once every 12 months. This restriction was introduced to prevent abuse of regional prices and content.
To complete the procedure, you must open the Play Store application, click on the profile avatar and go to Settings → General → Account and device settings. If the system determines that you are in a new country (by IP address), the option to switch profile will appear there. Important: For successful switching, you often need to have an active payment method (bank card) issued by the bank of the country you are switching to.
Menu path: Profile → Settings → General → Account and device settings → Country and profilesThe process of activating a new profile may take up to 48 hours. During this time, access to the balance of the previous region will be limited, and subscriptions may no longer be renewed. It is also worth considering that Google Play family groups may not work correctly if one of the participants changes the country.
Setting up a region in the Huawei AppGallery
For owners of Honor smartphones, especially new models without Google services, the issue of changing the region in the AppGallery brand store is relevant. This store is the main source of applications for the brand's devices. The principle of operation here is similar to Google, but has its own characteristics related to the Huawei ID ecosystem.
To change the region, you need to enter the AppGallery application, go to the tab My and select Settings. The Country/Region section displays the current location. If you have moved or want to download an application that is only available in your region, the system will offer to create a new profile or change an existing one, if the security policy allows it.
- 🏠 Open AppGallery and go to section
My. - ⚙️ Select
Settings→Country/Region. - 📝 Accept the terms of use and confirm the change of region.
When changing the country in AppGallery, you may need to re-authorize in Huawei ID. You should also be prepared for the fact that previously purchased applications or internal currency (Huawei Points) may become unavailable or expire, since they are tied to a specific region of the account.
⚠️ Attention: Huawei Points balance and purchased subscriptions are not transferred between countries. Before changing the region in AppGallery, be sure to use all accumulated bonuses.
The influence of the IP address and VPN on determining the location
Often users change all the settings manually, but the services still show the old region. This happens because modern location determination algorithms rely primarily on the IP address. If your real IP points to Moscow, and the settings are set to Germany, the services will consider this a suspicious activity or simply ignore the settings.
To bypass geographical restrictions and correct operation of region changers, you must use VPN services. They allow you to virtually move the device to another point in the world. However, it is worth remembering that many large platforms (Netflix, Google, banks) have learned to recognize and block the IP addresses of well-known VPN providers.
Using a VPN can also affect application loading speeds and connection stability. It is recommended to select servers located geographically close to the target region to minimize delays. In addition, free VPN services often sell user data or introduce advertising, which jeopardizes the security of personal data.
Why doesn't a VPN always help?
Some applications use additional geolocation methods, such as analyzing the device's time, GPS data, lists of Wi-Fi networks around and even time zone information. If this data contradicts the IP address, the service may block access or display an error.
Table of restrictions and capabilities when changing region
To systematize information about what exactly changes when switching countries, consider the main parameters. Not all services react to region changes in the same way. Some changes are applied instantly, others require time or additional actions.
| Parameter | Google Account | Huawei ID | System settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change frequency | once every 12 months | Limited by policy | No restrictions |
| Impact on balance | Locking old balance | Burning Points | No influence |
| Required card | Required (often) | Advisable | Not required |
| Use time | Up to 48 hours | Instantly / After login | Instantly |
The table shows that the most severe restrictions are imposed by the Google ecosystem. It is important to weigh the pros and cons here before initiating the process. Losing access to purchased movies, books or subscriptions can be an unpleasant surprise.
Changing a region in system settings is a cosmetic change, while a change in Google and Huawei accounts affects financial history and available content.
Problems with payment methods and subscriptions
One of the main difficulties when changing countries is linking new payment methods. Google Play and AppGallery require that your payment method be compatible with the new region. If you switched to a US profile, a card from a Russian or European bank will most likely be rejected by the security system.
This creates a vicious circle: to fully use the new region, you need a local card, but to get one, you often need to already be in the country. Users often resort to purchasing Gift Cards for the corresponding region, but there are nuances here too. Activation codes are also geo-referenced and do not work on accounts in other countries.
Subscriptions issued in the old region may no longer be renewed automatically. The system will prompt you to update the payment method, and if you refuse to provide a local card, access to the service will be limited. In some cases, registering a new subscription again in a new region helps, but the old history and progress may be lost.
⚠️ Attention: The rules for using payment services and the conditions for providing content may change unilaterally. Always check the current conditions in the “Help” section of a specific application store before changing the region.
☑️ Checklist before changing the region
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the country in Google Play without a card from another country?
Officially, Google requires linking a payment method of a new country to activate a profile. However, in some cases, the system may allow you to change the region only by IP address, but the purchasing functionality will still be limited until you add a local card. Sometimes it helps to create a completely new Google account with VPN enabled for the desired country during registration.
What will happen to purchased applications after changing the country?
Applications purchased in the old region will remain in the library, but you will not be able to update them if they become paid in the new region or are deleted from the local catalog. Access to them may be limited until you return to the profile of the previous country.
How often can you change the region on Honor?
In the system settings of the phone, you can change the region as many times as you like. In a Google Play account - only once every 12 months. In Huawei ID, restrictions also exist, but they are less formalized and depend on the company’s internal security policy.
Do you need to reset the phone to factory settings to change the region?
No, resetting the phone (Wipe Data) is not required to change the region. All necessary changes are made through the settings menu and account profiles. A reset is only needed in case of serious system errors or before selling the device.
Does changing the region affect the smartphone warranty?
Software changing the region and language does not affect the manufacturer's warranty. However, if in an attempt to change the region you start unlocking the bootloader or installing unofficial firmware, the warranty may be void.