How often do you see a useful app and visit the Play Store to download it only to find out that it’s not available in your country? There are some apps on Android that are geo-restricted. Be it Tidal for music or TikTok for short videos, neither of these apps is officially available in India. However, you can download apps that are not available in your country through an easy hack.
Not only can you download geo-restricted apps on your phone, but you can also do it officially through the Play Store. There are also workarounds if you don’t want to use the Play Store — we’ll cover all of these in this article.
So, without further ado, here’s how to install an app that isn’t available in your country on Android.
Note: Neither method affects your current subscription or payment method.
- 1 Method 1: Install country-restricted apps from Play Store using VPN
- 2 Method 2: Install apps that are not available in your country via APK file
- 3 Method 3: Download location-restricted apps from a third-party App Store
- 4 FAQ for installing country-specific apps on Android
- 5 Overcoming the location barrier
Method 1: Install country-restricted apps from Play Store using VPN
The best way to download Android apps is through the Play Store. If the app you are looking for is not available in your country on the Play Store, don’t worry. One workaround is to download it right from the Play Store – via a VPN service. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Install VPN from Play Store. We recommend using Proton VPN because it’s free and reliable. Open the app after installation.
Step 2: Tap any country of your choice. This is to select the region you are switching to. So, if the app you want to download is available in the US, select US.
Step 3: Select the Connect button next to any free server.
Step 4: Click OK when prompted. This basically allows your phone to connect to the VPN.
Your phone is now connected to the VPN with the location set to USA.
Step 5: Open the Settings app on your device. Navigate to the Applications section.
Step 6: Click See all apps. Scroll down and select the Google Play Store.
Step 7: Navigate to the ‘Storage and cache’ tab. Select Clear Cache. Note that you should NOT tap Clear storage.
Step 8: Return to the previous screen and select Force Stop. Click OK when prompted.
Step 9: Open the Play Store on your Android phone. Use the search bar at the top to find the app you want to download.
Step 10: The application will show up with the ability to download. Tap the Settings button next to the app.
You can see the difference between with and without a VPN in the screenshot below. With the default country, you will get the error ‘This item is not available in your country’.
Once you download the apps of your choice, you can disable the VPN connection by going to the VPN app.
Method 2: Install apps that are not available in your country via APK file
If you are unable to download the app of your choice via the Play Store, or if the app you are trying to download is not on the Play Store, you can download the APK file and install it manually. Here is how it works.
Step 1: Open the browser of your choice on your Android phone.
Step 2: Use the address bar to navigate to APKMirror. Alternatively, you can use the button below if you’re viewing this article on your phone.
Step 3: Use the search button to find the app you want to download.
Step 4: You will see a list of results for the search term. Tap the relevant version of the app you want to download.
Step 5: Now, select ‘View available downloads’.
Step 6: Find the latest version of the app and tap the download button. Your download will now begin.
Once the APK is downloaded, tap on it to install the app.
The country-restricted app will now be installed on your Android smartphone. You can also use this method to download games that are not available in your country.
Method 3: Download location-restricted apps from a third-party App Store
While the Google Play Store is the default app store on Android, there are other third-party app stores you can use to install apps. These app stores are useful for installing apps that are not available in your country. Here’s how you can use a third-party app store like Aptoide to download location-restricted apps.
Step 1: Access Aptoide on your Android phone browser using the link below. Download the APK on your phone.
Step 2: Install the APK file by tapping on it. The Aptoide App Store will be installed on your phone.
Step 3: Open Aptoide and find the app you want to install.
You will be able to see all apps without any restrictions. Download and install any app of your choice from here.
FAQ for installing country-specific apps on Android
1. Is it safe to install apps from third-party sources?
It’s always best to download and install apps from the Play Store. However, if you download the app from a trusted third-party source, there shouldn’t be any problems.
2. Can I change my country on Play Store?
Yes, you can change your country on the Play Store to another country. However, you won’t be able to change the country multiple times in a row. So this is an easier way out.
Overcoming the location barrier
You no longer have to be frustrated by not being able to use certain apps in your location. All you have to do is use some of the nifty tricks mentioned above to download apps that are not available in your country. Once downloaded, you can use the app as intended. Also, check out how to run Android apps on Windows 11.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
