yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fenderwhite:
VPN

to merquise

I've tried what you wrote, and still Play Store says I cannot buy the apps in my country.

Would you mind if I ask you which country you're living in and what device you're using?

i'm in South Korea, and I'm trying with 4.2.1 GNex and 4.2.1 Nex7.

Both VPN through US and UK don't work.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
Have you wiped cache and data of Google play app ?

Envoyé depuis mon GT-I9300
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fenderwhite:
of course, yes. :crying::crying:
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jack_Random:
VPN solution doesnt always work!

Screwed at the moment... sitting in china where most vpn's are blocked...

Although must say... this happened before (like a year ago or so). Back then u had to use vpn as well as enabler to get access to other markets for a short period of time before they reverted back to business as usual. So lets hope for the best!
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Asitaka:
I have open vpn and HMA for an LA server and this is not working for me... how does Google know my location? This is really frustrating! I hope someone can come up with a fix.

Does this work, or is it a scam?

http://forum.mobilism.org/viewtopic.php?t=442748
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] yeremiya:
I wouldn't trust a 3rd party patched Play Store. Who knows what the dude patched and how. In any way, the date on that post is way before Google started acting crazy about all of us buying stuff that's not meant for us non-US & non-UK people, so I don't think it would work.

--

UPDATE:

I've managed using the VPN method described here. I found the TunnelBear is most stable/fast for me (you can use it as an android app, without actually creating VPN connections). Also, SecurityKISS is not that bad, but it failed to connect a few times. So, VPN connect -> clear Play Store data -> open Play Store -> profit.

What I found is very very interesting is that even when I disconnected the VPN tunnel, I was still able to buy apps, and saw all paid apps! Seems Play Store is caching something when it detects my IP, and keeps using it even with different (non-US IP)!

So, day to day usage worst case scenario is this:

1) clear store data

2) connect to vpn

3) load play store

4) disconnect vpn

5) profit

:)
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
You can try.

But i've already tried it and it was not working. I think it works the same way as market enabler, faking sim country.

Google seems to have blocked this hack so market enabler, or modded market, it can not work for the moment

Envoyé depuis mon GT-I9300

---------- Post added at 12:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 PM ----------

+1

I also use Tunnelbear now

Envoyé depuis mon GT-I9300
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] merquise:
Hi i'm from Europe, Serbia..using Galaxy S II, hence the forum :)

Have you tried using VPN over 3G also? Try if you can with another Wi-Fi network..

I read that South Korea has strict censorship policy..pretty bad ass
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] raykyogrou0:
I swear the play store in my country is ****! I always used market unlocker to fix it and it stopped working a few days ago.:eek:

I tried hotspot shield vpn and it actually works, but the connection is so slow :(

Anyways, it appears that the play store now checks the location of the IP address and not just whatever's registered on your google account. In the past, it displayed the US store on default on my pc before logging in. Now it just goes straight to the site of this *** country. God, I hope the developer(s) of market unlocker/enabler makes a fix for this soon:fingers-crossed:
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jimbexley:
The changes I see are that on my desktop, tablet or phone no VPN, market enabler or whatever app is working anymore, its like Google has connceted my counrty to my account, not the device I use anymore.

BUT, the movies, books etc. I bought before using the VPN trick, I can now download without using the VPN, thats new.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] oTToToTenTanz:
I read the other day that they check the location from payment details...f.e. where is your credit card registered and so on...I don't know for sure if this is news, true or can help...just my 50 cents..
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] aban714:
The VPN trick is neat. But the limit sure kills the idea for me. i mean..... 500mb monthly......... well, here's hoping some good news will come regarding this matter in the coming days.

P.S. could someone explain to me why google is sooo worried about play store restrictions? I mean what do they get for blocking half the world from play store? Android is not for us or uk only i mean......
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maximusl:
VPN works. Other methods doesn't work anymore. I use hideipvpn.com 6 bucks a month, and can even rent google play HD movies and watch them no problem :) As for wallet and credit card info, just use some real USA address.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] atomixluis1523:
It worked for me 2 days ago on Jellybam rom 3.2, but now I am on Resurrection Remix 3.1.3 and it doesn't change my location anymore but on the Samsung Apps store it does change my region.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sumisumisumi:
I'm puzzled by those who are getting through with VPN. I've tried tunnelbear as well as other VPN options, but even when I go to whatismyisp, and it says I'm in the UK or germany, I still get nothing but the US store. I have, like the others, tried every possible option. Clearing all settings, cache, data, full wipes, etc.

It seems like the majority of people are saying VPN doesn't work for them anymore either, but how is it working for a random few?

Has anyone tried using a CC from the country they want to access to open a new account, and then access the country store they've been trying to? If it really is tied to credit card, VPN + CC of the country should let you in.

The most puzzling thing is when I go to the store on my PC it still says I'm in Japan. The message is so strange:

"This app is incompatible with your NTT Docomo SC-06D."

And then right next to it in the compatability list "NTT Docomo SC-06D..."

But, when I access it through my phone, I get the "not available in your country" error instead.

So, it's obviously going off something other than what my phone is telling it.

Not being able to access the Japanese store is really making me regret choosing an android over an iphone this time around.

I too don't get what google gains by making their store so locked down.

Really hope something comes up in the near future ^_^
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jack_Random:
Its not comnected to credit card details, that much i can tell you!

I got an austrian credit card, always use austrian market with market enabler) but i am sitting in china. I am on Hong Kong rooted stock ROM on phone. With VPN and enabler i sometimes get on austrian market. Usually i sm stuck on china market

My tab is running on german rooted stock rom, with enabler set to austria and vpn set to austrian server, i get to the UK market, if it works at all!
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alwin006:
VPN trick works for me too, I live in French Caribbean and I can acces to the real French Playstore.

But free VPN sucks, seems like I have to deal with it :(

I really hope they are trying to solve the problem
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maximusl:
As I said vpn fools market no problem. But You know what is strange about Google? Why are they changing and ''fixing'' market so that we could not buy apps legitimately? They force people to install pirated apps with ghis behavior. I certainly buy apps from little developers because I want to support their work, but from yoday I won't buy from big companyes as well as from google anymore. Thwy want us to pirate? Ok, They will get it. And when we stop to trick their locked out market and the revenue will drop, they will think to open it like that frwakin' apple does!
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alwin006:
Amen :angel:

From now we'll not buy anything from us until they fix the playstore for everyone !
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] raphaelgoncalves:
VPN works

Same happening here. I did manage to fix it using VPN, but what is pissing me off is that it started after I factory reset my mobile. Before it worked perfectly just with the app Market enabler, just one click and voila, now it's a pain the the a**.

Maybe they change the way to verify the country, from mobile operator code in SIM to internet proxy location? But was it a coincidence that same day when I reset Google changed the policy? I don't think so because you guys were having this same issue months before.

---------- Post added at 06:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 AM ----------

Won't happen. It's not a "fix" it's commercial and even political policies. They use different markets for each country because each country has its own prices or laws. For example you won't find "porn" apps in China. And Google can't help it.

Apple has always done this. Also Amazon. Take mp3 purchase for instance, if you don't have a US address and your country doesn't have its own store you probably can't purchase anything, which sucks (and it's kind of a punch in rights'-defending-guy's faces, because even if you want to buy legally you can't)
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jack_Random:
Its not the first time this stuff happens, wont be the last (i hope)... a couple of months ago i had the same issue, went back to normal a few weeks later, (and i wasnt the only one having that issue)
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mohab1989:
so the vpn fix is working, but its hardly a fix!!

i have to keep the vpn1click running all the time if i turn it off it discovers my location again !!

i also don''t like having an application intercepting all my network packages !!

we need a better fix

but thanks for the help anyway , certainly better than nothing
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hamoza2020:
may be we need to wait for an update to the Market enabler app :(
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cmlx:
Now VPN / SSH is the ONLY way to bypass Google's damn modification of Play Store. I'm in China, as you know this ****ing country blocks many websites of Internet, so I have many VPN / SSH accounts to leap over the so-called GreatFireWall.

I know many of you don't know how to use VPN (PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, Cisco IPSec, etc) or only have very slow free VPN to bypass this new restriction. In fact, you only need VPN just a few seconds to solve this on Android.

1, Turn ON VPN.

2, Go to Play Store.

3, No need to wipe the data or cache, just press the "menu" button and choose "accounts", then press your account which you are currently using.

4, Play Store is to be re-loading and pop-up a confirmation window, says "By using Google Play, you agree to the ... ", just accept it and you can see a new Play Store without restriction.

5, Turn OFF VPN, the status without restriction of Play Store can retain till next reboot your device, you can use wifi / 3g rather than slow vpn to get what you like.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
Easier like this. Thx :)

How is SSH working ?

Envoyé depuis mon GT-I9300
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] auchengyu:
hey bro, I get exactly what you mean. I live in China as well and hate it to be restricted more than any other country like this.

I have the exact way like you do. I use SSH tunnel and bought a SSH account payed yearly (usable on both my pc and mobile), so I have to turn on the SSH and then re-market to Verizon again and enter playstore and voila, US market. it's a step more. ~~ I do hope we will get a new way to get it easier... SSH/VPN is still not so handy like market unlocker before~~~sigh

so your way also works? thats great.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] w1040:
This is why most noobie android user think android is boring, cause they can't see the awesome apps on the play store because of country restricted bull****.

I have found so many android user claim saying "omg android is boring no temple run game no subway surfer game on android but iPhone has it". This is the part where android or google ****ed a bit. Because there's a trick to find those apps by using market enabler! And most people didn't know this. And this why many people sticking to iOS.

Damn google why u not like iPhone. Unlike iPhone, no matter where you live, all apps on the app store are visible to you unlike play store, we have to root then use market enabler, just to find those awesome games that we never find before.

Google you ****ed up on this one. Most android user in my country don't even have temple run on their high end phones cause they thought android doesn't have those games cause cant find it in the play store! and most of them didn't even planned to root and what chances they will find out about this market enabler apps probably never. And eventually they will move to iOS cause they thought android has no awesome apps and games at all.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] atomixluis1523:
I found a way to download but from the pc using this app:

http://codekiem.com/2013/02/13/market-helper/
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] merquise:
Does anyone know why is Google restricting market to some countries? When you ask them they give you stupid answer like, "we don't know why can't you see paid apps, we are looking into it" etc...no where near a good explanation

Maybe we should write some sort of letter to some newspaper or someone who can ask them what is going on...
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hamoza2020:
I used vpn1click from play store and its working. You just need to clear store data after you get connected.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] raphaelgoncalves:
Doesn't work like that for me. If I turn off VPN and open Play Store again the page reloads and I get the "By using Google Play..." again, and then I'm back to blocked market.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fenderwhite:
Is there anyone living outside US or JAPAN having American or Japanese SIM?

I'm in South Korea, and trying to access US and JAPAN Play Store, having the same trouble with you guys.

I've heard months ago that no matter where I live, if I buy American prepaid SIMs like Simple Mobile, I can get an access to American Play Store.

Because all the solutions including the VPN method do not work for me, I've now decided to buy American SIM card through Amazon.

However, I'm afraid of the situation that even using the American SIM is also blocked.

Because all those Market Enabler, Market Unlocker, etc were using the method of changing SIM country code, I thought that maybe changing the 'REAL' SIM would not work, too.

So, can anyone having American or Japanese SIM test for all these guys?

Please mention which SIM you used, and I would be really glad if you could test paid applications too.

<Free Apps for the Test>

US - Pokemon TV

US - Tamagotchi L.i.f.e.

JAPAN - ガンダムキングダム
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sumisumisumi:
vpn is being spotty for me at best.

I got in yesterday using hideman vpn and could download paid apps from Japan. But, for whatever reason, it no longer works today.

Even when I was in the Japanese store (before a reboot), I started getting the not available in your country error. Which was weird because I was in the Japanese play store. After a reboot, none of the VPN solutions work. Is it still working for the rest of you?

I'm also curious about the SIM solution. I'd be up for being one...would like to know if that actually works though.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bubb_rubb:
I also see my phone as AT&T in the browser but the market is still the local one. Tried all the above nothing works. Is Google checking IPs now?
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] skingg:
VPN1click was working for me the past two days. Today, it says I have to pay for the elite subscription to use even when it says I have access until February 2014. Tunnel Bear works though, but only for the US and UK store. This really sucks.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sumisumisumi:
Here's some more interesting stuff I've found out as I've been trying to figure this out.

Making a new account with a VPN works. For example, I set up a Japanese VPN, switched on market enabler just to be safe, then made a new account and got into the Japanese store. At this point, without switching off the VPN, if I switch to my older account, I am forced back to my local store. Switching to the new account brings me to the Japan store...it seems they're locking accounts to specific markets now. However, I can download any free app I want.

But, on the new account, once I enter a credit card to make a purchase, I am told that my account is "on hold". I am not sure if they do this for all new accounts or not, but I can't purchase anything (this didn't happen a few days ago). Within 24 hours, my new account is now locked into the US store. I would guess once I enter a credit card with a different zip, that puts the account on hold for review and store "fixing".

So, it seems to me that they are doing two things:

1) Fixing your account to a specific store, no matter your ISP -- although this appears to be a manual process and takes about a day.

2) Deciding which store to "fix" your account to based on your credit card info.

I could be wrong, but this is what seems to be happening with the multiple attempts I've made. So, with VPN you seem to be able to get into any store and download free apps, but if you want to purchase them, you'll need a credit card with an address/zip in that country.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hdxd159:
Perhaps the only way to compensate is to use app brain instead =(
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tmrasdf:
develo[ers should look into this problem
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] merquise:
I don't think that this is developers top priority problem right now, because they are developing from supported countries :D
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] auchengyu:
sigh, I hope the developers sees this and trying to fix it..if it's fixable~~ if this happened before..I hope it was like last year...and fixable..really hope it isn't permanent >.</...
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] 3andala:
+1 i have the same problem in Nexus 7 and Xperia Arc S too :(

the only method working with me perfect now is VPN using Tunnelbear Free APK it gives 1.5 GB every month only tweet once monthly (what i want) :D

Market Link

APK Link

First clear data for your play store and kill it then connect u will see USA market completely

Hit thanks if i helpt you :)

Cheers
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mm_farahat:
Tunnelbear doesn't work for me
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] aban714:
Ok..... this is weird... I'd like to tell you guys that something i found out. As you know, market enabler stopped working lately. And as my playstore sucks totally, I've been trying different ways to see if i could fake it. The VPN method didnt work for me. And then i noticed something else. You see, if I go through my browser and click on a google play link, it immediately shows if you want to do this action using play or browser. I hit play.... and boom I can install it?!.... I mean... like temple run 2 and subway surfers for example, is not available in my country's store. But using the browser to redirect you to any app winthin play store, it works for me. Also, I can update all the apps. There is no notification though, and those apps doesn't show in my isntalled apps. But if you scroll right, the page where you can see all your installed apps, before and now, you can see if the app has an update, in which case, it will state "update", rather than installed.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] saziz77:
I tried that but when you try to install a new app it says this app is not compatible with your device.

I think we are going in closed loops.

Thanks.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
Same. It says "not compatible with your country"

Envoyé depuis mon GT-I9300
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] saziz77:
I tried tunnel bear today. It's working great.

It gives you 500mb per month + 1 extra gb if you tweeted once a month. Setup is very easy and speed is fast enough. You can go unlimited if you pay 5 bucks a month.

It seems that no solution now except the vpn.

Thanks.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] twfiles:
So is there any solution to access the Japanese market?:crying:
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
Use a VPN app ;)

TunnelBear VPN works only with US or UK

I think Vpn One Click or Hotspot Shield VPN can maybe do it with Japan.

- Start the app.

- Start the vpn with the app (search for the country you want).

- Go on the Google Play App.

- Press the "menu" button and choose "accounts", then press your account which you are currently using.

- Play Store will be re-loading and pop-up a confirmation window, says "By using Google Play, you agree to the ... ", just accept it and you can see a new Play Store without restriction.

- Turn OFF VPN

- Go back on Play Store, the status without restriction of Play Store can retain till next reboot of the app or of your device
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
I just write this tutorial : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=38193039
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DanDroidian:
I just wanted to confirm the "TunnelBear" method worked for me.

I'm in Cambodia but use my American credit card to link to my account. I used to be able to use Market Enabler to see/download/pay for apps that aren't available here, like Netflix, Spotify, Pandora, etc....

Here's what I did:

1) activated TunnelBear

2) force closes Play Store and deleted data

3) restarted Play Store and it was instantly in the US market and NOT the Cambodian one. Able to download and see Netflix again...

4) I can disable the TunnelBear after the market loads (to save on the data limit) and the market still stays in the US!

RELATED INFO!

You should really check out "Hola" from the Play Store if you want to access sites like Netflix, Pandora Radio, Hulu, BBC.UK.CO from another country. It's also available for your computer. Totally free and works like a charm! (No, I have no affiliation with them whatsoever.)

---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 AM ----------

And just to clarify, Hola is free and unlimited to use!

I always use it to stream HD T.V. on my computer/T.V. through Hulu at home in Cambodia.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sumisumisumi:
I made a post on the previous page detailing exactly how to still access the Japanese market.

Hideman vpn works best in my experience. And only $3/mo on android.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] w1040:
Let me correct you at 2). You don't need to clear data. Only clear cache then force close google play.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
No need to go on settings, wait the loading of the app data and clear cache.

Just go on the Store, press menu, then account, then choose your account and ok.

It will restart the Play Store. See my tutorial : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=38193039

Envoyé depuis mon GT-I9300
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] za2loom:
I have the same problem on my Samsung Galaxy S II Jelly Bean 4.1.2,

but the good news is that when you try to access the Play Store from your browser on your PC it will detect your new carrier set from market unlocker and you can Install the app or if you use Send To Chrome extension you can use it and it will open the Play Store app on your mobile and you can Install the app you want.
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Geo1997:
Not working for me :/
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DanDroidian:
Thank you, Geo, that worked perfectly!
[Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sumisumisumi:
This does not work for paid apps however.