How to Download an App That's Not Available in Your Country

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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There are many instances where certain apps are not available in every country. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as licensing, legal restrictions, or the app's creator only releasing it in select regions. While this can be frustrating, there are ways to bypass these restrictions and download apps that aren't available in your country. This comprehensive guide will introduce you to various ways to achieve this, step-by-step.

Understanding regional restrictions

Before we discuss solutions, it's important to understand why these restrictions exist. Developers or companies may limit the availability of their apps to certain regions because:

• Licensing Agreement: Sometimes, the app contains content that is only allowed in specific countries.
• Legal reasons: Some content may be illegal in certain countries.
• Market testing: Developers may want to test their app in specific markets before rolling it out globally.

Method 1: Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

VPNs are one of the most common ways to access region-restricted content. VPNs change your IP address so that it looks like you're accessing the internet from another country.

A step-by-step guide to using a VPN

1. Download a VPN application of your choice. Some popular options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost.
2. Install the VPN app on your device.
3. Open the VPN app and log in or create an account if necessary.
4. Select a server in a country where the app is available.
5. Once connected to the VPN, open the app store on your device (e.g., Google Play Store, Apple App Store).
6. Clear the cache and data of the app store so that it can recognize changes in the area. For example, on Android, go to "Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear cache > Clear data."
7. Search for the app you want to download.
8. Install the app in the normal way.

Method 2: Change the region of your device

You can also change the region settings on your device to match the country where the app is available. This method is especially useful for devices where VPNs are not supported or when the App Store does not recognize the VPN connection.

Step-by-step guide to changing region on Android

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
3. Go to "Account."
4. Under "Country and Profile," find your name and country. If your device supports region changes, you'll see an option to switch to a new country.
5. Select the new country and follow the onscreen instructions to change your Google Play Store region.

Step-by-step guide to changing region on iOS

1. Open the "Settings" app on your iOS device.
2. Tap on your name at the top to enter Apple ID settings.
3. Go to "Media and Purchases" and tap "View Account."
4. Sign in with your Apple ID if prompted.
5. Tap "Country/Region" and then tap "Change country or region."
6. Select the country where the app is available.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions, then enter your payment information. (You can use a local payment method or select "None" if available).

Method 3: Downloading APK files for Android

Android users have the option to directly download APK files of apps that are not available in their region. APK (Android Package) files are installation files for Android apps.

Step-by-step guide to downloading and installing APK files

1. Find a trustworthy website that hosts APK files, like APKMirror or APKPure.
2. Find and download the APK file of the app you want.
3. Before installing the APK, you must allow installation from unknown sources. Go to "Settings > Security > Unknown Sources" and turn it on.
4. Go to the folder where the APK file was downloaded from and tap on it to start the installation process.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.

Note of caution

When downloading APK files from external sources, make sure you are using a trusted site. Installing APK files from unverified sources may pose a security risk to your device and personal information.

Method 4: Using a different app store

In some cases, a solution may be to use another app store that does not have regional restrictions. Some popular third-party app stores include Aptoide or the Amazon Appstore for Android.

A step-by-step guide to using a different app store on Android

1. Visit the third-party app store's website on your device's browser.
2. Download the APK file from the App Store.
3. Make sure that installation from unknown sources is enabled as mentioned above.
4. Open the APK file and install the third-party app store on your device.
5. Once installed, open the new app store and search for the app you want to download.
6. Install the app directly from third-party app stores.

Method 5: Asking someone in an available country

If your friends or family members live in a country where this app is available, you can ask them to download it.

A step-by-step guide to asking someone out in another country

1. Ask the person to download the app onto their device.
2. Once downloaded, they can share the APK file (for Android) or provide you with their Apple ID credentials (for iOS) to temporarily log in and download the app.
3. On Android, they can send you the APK file via email or a file-sharing service.
4. For iOS, log in with their Apple ID on your device and download the app from the App Store.
5. After installation, log out and return to your original Apple ID.

Conclusion

In short, downloading apps that are not available in your country can be achieved in a variety of ways. Using a VPN to change your IP address, changing your device's region settings, downloading APK files directly from trusted websites, using different app stores, or asking someone who lives in an available country can help you get the app you want. Each method has its own benefits and precautions, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

Be careful and avoid sharing personal information or credentials with untrusted sources. By following these guidelines, you can expand your access to a wider range of apps, regardless of regional restrictions.

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