Getting US apps in the UK?

[Pinmac1]

I live in the UK but will be visiting the US in the summer. I'm a bit confused about the UK v US Google Play set-up. There are apps I would like to download which I can't as they are not available in the UK Play store.

So 2 questions - is there a way to download US-only apps while in the UK? Also, when I go to the US will it detect that I am there and allow me to access the US Play store or will I still be restricted to the UK as it's a UK phone?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Digital Controller]

This looks like a good way: How to Change the Country of Google Play Store | TEK-Shanghai

However, it looks like it's based on your credit card information, so you might need to get a credit card within the US

 

[mikedt]

I live in the UK but will be visiting the US in the summer. I'm a bit confused about the UK v US Google Play set-up. There are apps I would like to download which I can't as they are not available in the UK Play store.

So 2 questions - is there a way to download US-only apps while in the UK? Also, when I go to the US will it detect that I am there and allow me to access the US Play store or will I still be restricted to the UK as it's a UK phone?

Thanks for any help.

You get the Play Store for the country you're in. Play geo-locates you on WiFi and cellular information AFAIK. So if you're in the US you'll get the US Play Store, even though you have UK phone. Something to be aware of, if you buy any US only content while in the States, e.g. apps, books, movies you'll lose access to them upon returning to the UK. Same with any international travelling, you lose access to any geo-restricted content.

I have a UK credit card but there's no way I can access any UK only apps etc. while I'm in China.

 

[mikedt]

This looks like a good way: How to Change the Country of Google Play Store | TEK-Shanghai

However, it looks like it's based on your credit card information, so you might need to get a credit card within the US

I I tried that, but Google was still insisting I'm in China with China Mobile, even though I registered a UK credit card to wallet, which means a limited choice of free apps only.

 

[Pinmac1]

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a US credit card so that's a no-go. It's good that I should be able to get US apps while I'm over there but a shame that I can't have a look beforehand.

 

[b.gaj.bg]

You get the Play Store for the country you're in. Play geo-locates you on WiFi and cellular information AFAIK. So if you're in the US you'll get the US Play Store, even though you have UK phone. Something to be aware of, if you buy any US only content while in the States, e.g. apps, books, movies you'll lose access to them upon returning to the UK. Same with any international travelling, you lose access to any geo-restricted content.

I have a UK credit card but there's no way I can access any UK only apps etc. while I'm in China.

Doesn't work for me that way. I'm struggling to get banking app in UK while I got polish phone and polish google play store app and it doesn't work... I've added UK card to google wallet but it haven't changed the app country restrictions. Maybe I have to somehow turn on this geo location ?

 

[mikedt]

Doesn't work for me that way. I'm struggling to get banking app in UK while I got polish phone and polish google play store app and it doesn't work... I've added UK card to google wallet but it haven't changed the app country restrictions. Maybe I have to somehow turn on this geo location ?

Looks like it doesn't always work. Play seems to do what it feels like. I was in Hong Kong for two weeks, ended up with the HK Play store, I'm now in London, been here 3 days, and my phone is still showing the HK Play store. Which means most books are in Chinese, and there's no TV shows or music.

 

[funkylogik]

Best thing you can do is find a friendly trustworthy American with a rooted phone to download any (free) apps you want then upload them to Dropbox or whatever for you to download :thumbup:

 

[mikedt]

Best thing you can do is find a friendly trustworthy American with a rooted phone to download any (free) apps you want then upload them to Dropbox or whatever for you to download :thumbup:

Assuming the "trustworthy American" is actually in the USA, and not in downtown Beijing or whatever, crying that they can't do Facebook and that their Google Play music is unavailable .