Changing the region on a smartphone with Android 9 Pie may be necessary for various reasons: from access to regional applications in Google Play to the correct operation of services like Google Assistant or YouTube Music. However, unlike new versions of Android, where this process is simplified, in Pie it has its own nuances. The system does not always allow you to change the country directly through the settings, and some methods require additional manipulations.

Many users encounter a problem when, after moving or purchasing a device abroad regional settings they remain tied to the previous country. This leads to incorrect operation of geolocation services, blocking of content, or even the inability to pay for subscriptions via Google Pay. In this article we will look at all the current ways to change the region - from official to alternative, including bypassing restrictions without root access.

It is important to understand that some methods may reset application settings or require re-authorization in Google services. For example, changing the region via Google Play will remove all installed applications if they are not available in the new country. Therefore, before starting the procedure, we recommend synchronizing your data with your account Google and saving backup copies of important files.

1. Official method: change the region through Google settings

The safest and recommended method is to change the region directly in the account settings Google. It does not require superuser rights and works on most devices with Android 9 Pieincluding smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and others.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the application Settings on your device.
  2. Go to section Google → Google account management.
  3. Select tab Data and personalization.
  4. Find item Personalization settings and tap on Regional settings.
  5. In the section Country select the desired state from the list.

After saving the changes, the system may require confirmation via SMS or email. Please note that this method only changes the region for services Google (for example, Play Market and YouTube), but does not affect the phone's system settings, such as the date format or keyboard.

⚠️ Attention: If you use Google Pay, after changing the region you will have to re-add bank cards, since the service is tied to the account country.
📊 Why do you change the region on Android?
To access regional applications
Due to moving to another country
To bypass geo-blocking
Other

2. Changing the region via a SIM card

One ​​of the little-known but effective methods is using SIM cards of a local operator. Android 9 automatically detects the region based on the mobile network, and this can be used to your advantage. The method is especially useful if the official change through Google does not give the desired result.

Action algorithm:

  1. Purchase a SIM card from an operator from the country whose region you want to install (for example, T-Mobile for the USA or Vodafone for the UK).
  2. Insert it into your smartphone and restart the device.
  3. Open Settings → System → Date and time.
  4. Activate option Automatic detection of time zone and Automatic detection of date and time.
  5. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Market → Storage and press Clear cache.

After these manipulations Google Play may suggest changing the country in accordance with the new SIM card. If this does not happen, try deleting and adding your account again Google (more on this in the next section).

Buy a local SIM card|Save a backup copy of your contacts|Disable two-factor authentication (if linked to the old SIM)|Check the balance on the new SIM to confirm via SMS-->

3. Removing and re-adding a Google account

If the previous methods did not work, you can try a radical method - delete Google account and add it again, specifying a different region. This method resets all profile-related settings, so you should use it only as a last resort.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Accounts (or Users and accounts on some devices).
  2. Select your account Google and click Delete account.
  3. Confirm the deletion (the device may require you to enter a password or pattern).
  4. Reboot your smartphone.
  5. After turning on, add the account again by selecting the desired country during registration.

This method is guaranteed to change the region, but has serious consequences:

  • 📱 All application data linked to the account will be deleted (for example, Google Fit, Google Keep).
  • 🎮 Game saves will disappear if they are not synchronized with the cloud.
  • 📧 Settings Gmail and Google Calendar will be reset to factory settings.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI) deleting the main account Google may reset the phone to factory settings. Before the procedure, check the behavior of your model on the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

4. Using a VPN and clearing Google Play data

If you need to temporarily access content from another country (for example, applications that are not available in your region), You can combine VPN and reset settings Google Play. This method does not change the region forever, but allows you to bypass geo-blocking.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Install a reliable VPN application (for example, ProtonVPN or NordVPN) and connect to the server in the desired country.
  2. Open Settings → Applications → Google Play Market.
  3. Click Storage → Clear data and Clear cache.
  4. Reboot the device.
  5. Run Google Play —the system may offer to change the country to the one to which the VPN is connected.

This method does not work on all devices, since Google it can determine the real location based on the Wi-Fi IP address or operator data. If after a reboot the region has not changed, try:

  • 🔄 Reconnect to another VPN server in the same one. country.
  • 📡 Turn off mobile data and use only Wi-Fi.
  • 🔧 Manually change the system language to the official language of the target country (for example, English for the USA).
Why might a VPN not work?

Google analyzes not only the IP address, but also others parameters: device language, time zone, mobile network connection data. If these parameters do not correspond to the selected country, the system may ignore the request to change the region. For example, if you are connected to a VPN in the USA, but the time zone on your phone is set to Moscow, Google Play will continue to show Russian content.

5. data-i="157">For those who are ready to work with

For those who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a method for changing the region via the command line. It is suitable for devices with unlocked USB debugging and does not require root access. Important: incorrect use of ADB can disrupt the system.

What you will need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
  • 📱 A smartphone with USB debugging enabled (Settings → For developers → USB debugging).
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC and open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
  2. Enter the command to check the connection: 
    adb devices

    The device should appear in the list.

  3. Run the command to change the region (replace US with the desired two-letter code countries): 
    adb shell settings put global captive_portal_country_code US
  4. Reboot your smartphone: 
    adb reboot

After reboot, check the region in Google Play or account settings. If the changes are not applied, try further clearing the data Google Play Services: 

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms
⚠️ Attention: ADB commands may conflict with the firmware on some devices (for example, Xiaomi c MIUI). If after doing this the phone starts to work unstable, reset the settings to factory settings via Settings → System → Reset.
💡

Before working with ADB, create a backup copy of your data via adb backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root). This will help restore information in the event of a failure.

Comparison of methods for changing the region on Android 9

To choose the optimal method, let's compare all the considered methods according to key parameters:

Method Complexity Is root required Impact on data Stability
Through Google settings ⭐ ❌ No Applications are removed from Play Market ✅ High
Change SIM card ⭐⭐ ❌ No Minimum ⚠️ Medium (depending on the operator)
Removing Google account ⭐⭐⭐ ❌ No Full reset of application settings ✅ High
VPN + clearing Play Market ⭐⭐ ❌ No Deletes the application cache ⚠️ Low (may not work)
ADB commands ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ❌ No (but requires USB Debugging) Minimum ⚠️ Medium (risk of errors)

For most users, the optimal solution will be official method through Google settings or change SIM card. Methods with ADB and account deletion should be used only if other options do not work, as they require technical skills and are fraught with data loss.

💡

Changing the region through Google settings is the safest method, but it resets the list of installed applications in Play Market. If you need to save applications, try the method with a SIM card or VPN.

Common problems and their solutions

When changing the region to Android 9 Pie users often encounter common errors. Let's look at the most common of them and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The offer to change the country does not appear in Google Play.

Solution:

  • 🔄 Clear the cache and data Google Play Store and Google Play Services.
  • 📱 Make sure that the language corresponding to the target country is installed on your phone.
  • 🌐 Try connecting to the VPN in the desired region and restart the device.

Problem 2: After changing the region, they stopped working payments to Google Pay.

Solution:

  • 💳 Remove all bank cards from Google Pay and add them again.
  • 📞 Contact the bank to confirm the possibility payments in the new country.
  • 🔧 Check whether your bank supports transactions in the selected region.

Problem 3: Applications from the old region have stopped updating.

Solution:

  • 📥 Install APK files of applications manually from sites like APKMirror.
  • 🔄 Create a second account Google with the region of the previous country and use it for updates.
  • 📦 Enable the option in the settings Google Play "Auto-update only via Wi-Fi" to avoid download errors.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking or streaming services) may block access when a region change is detected. If it is critical for you to use such software, before changing the country, check its policy on the official website.
Is it possible to change the region on Android 9 without losing data?

Yes, if you use methods without deleting account Google: change through settings, SIM card or VPN. However, in some cases (for example, when clearing data Google Play), application settings may be reset, but the files themselves (photos, videos, documents) will remain untouched.

Why are there no necessary applications in Google Play after changing the region?

This can happen for several reasons:

  • The application is indeed unavailable in the selected country (check on the website APKMirror).
  • The cache Google Play has not been updated (clear the application data).
  • Your device is not supported by the developer in the new region (for example, some applications for Samsung are not available on Xiaomi in some countries).

Try using alternative stores like Aurora Store or APKPure.

How to return the old region if the new one does not fit?

You can return the previous settings in the same ways:

  • Through the account settings Google (section "Regional settings").
  • By deleting the account and adding it again indicating the old country.
  • Inserting the SIM card of the previous operator and clearing the cache Google Play.

Please note that after returning to the previous region, it may take time (up to 48 hours) for all services Google to be synchronized.

Do these methods work on custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)?

On most custom firmware (for example LineageOS 16based on Android 9) the methods work similarly. However, there may be nuances:

  • Some assemblies do not have a link to the SIM card to determine the region.
  • ADB commands may require superuser rights (su).
  • Settings Google Play Services can be reset after updating the firmware.

Before experiments, check the information on the forum of your firmware (for example, XDA-Developers).

Is it possible to change the region on Android 9 without the Internet?

No, to change region, a network connection is required, since:

  • The system synchronizes data with servers Google.
  • When adding an account or changing the SIM card, a check is performed via the Internet.
  • VPN and ADB methods also require a network connection to apply the changes.

If you do not have access to Wi-Fi or mobile data, first set up a connection, and then start changing the region.