Anyone who has traveled outside of their home country since the advent of smartphones knows the trouble with limitations like app blocks. In like manner, travels outside of one’s home country show services such as Google Maps, WhatsApp, and Yelp subject to international roaming charges. And we all know those can pile up mighty fast.
Hassle though that can be, that’s not the worst overseas discovery awaiting many smartphone users. As many Apple and Google message boards full of complaints can attest, certain popular apps are suddenly not available at all. To clarify, this happens no matter what kind of price you’re willing to pay.
Why There Are App Blocks Overseas
There’s no uniform reason for this issue. Each app creator has control over the range of their app’s distribution. Furthermore, all sorts of economic and technical factors come into play. Some apps run on hardware that does not work on a global level. Sometimes, apps feature copyrighted content that is only available within a narrow range of countries. Moreover, app developers sign contracts with companies that demand a certain regional exclusivity.
As shown above, waiting around for this to change is a waste of time, since the broad list of factors could not be fixed with one solution. Uganda recently blocked Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp during the run-up to presidential elections. Saudi Arabia blocked Facebook Messenger‘s voice and video calling service for supposed failure to comply with telecom regulations. Deezer’s music streaming service evidently went to great pains to make itself available around the world. Although China and Iran quickly blocked the Deezer app. While Hulu is only available to those in the US and Japan.
But instead of lamenting your lack of access to Apple Music outside of the US, or Pandora outside of Australia, New Zealand, and the US, or BBC iPlayer outside the UK, what you’ll want to do is learn how to circumvent these kinds of regional app blocks. And there we can help you.
Let’s not forget about other popular streaming services like Zattoo, WatchESPN, or Amazon Instant Video. When you start counting it up, the potentially limited availability of your favorite blocked streaming services or apps while traveling could be quite frustrating.
Avoid Google Play and Apple App Blocks From Anywhere With a VPN
Well, maybe it’s not that simple. There are certain tricks you need to know because you can’t just download a US-based app from anywhere in the world. You need a US-based credit card. In fact, there’s a terrific MakeUseOf article on exactly what steps you need to take to download US apps from outside the country. As a matter of fact, it involves making an iTunes account without a credit card and buying iTunes gift cards.
As far as Android apps are concerned, a VPN goes a long way to helping you bypass geo-restricted apps around the world. All you need to do is re-start your device and connect to your VPN. Lastly, you will choose a server in a country that features the app you’re looking to use.
Be warned though; VPNs do have their enemies. Netflix has been particularly strict about shutting down users who appear to be using their VPNs to geo-hop to another country’s streaming library. And if you’re in the United Arab Emirates, VPN usage is all but banned, as their government is discouraging any VoIP services that are not available in the UAE. You can thank their two leading telecom companies, Etisalat and du, for that restriction.
Generally speaking, those are the exceptions, and they have been fairly widely condemned by people who care about online security. It seems obvious to say, but people value their privacy and widespread VPN usage isn’t going anywhere.
So while there is no cure-all for the regional-app-restriction blues, we do highly recommend subscribing to a VPN. Even if cybersecurity issues do not bother you, VPNs make online location-jumping immensely easier, and will always come in handy when you’re having trouble accessing an app you need in a land that doesn’t allow it.
How FlashRouters Can Help
Not only do we ensure that our devices are loaded up with advanced security features by flashing them with DD-WRT, the most popular open-source router firmware, we also make them extremely VPN-friendly.
Subscribe to any VPN on our supported VPN service provider list and we’ll send your new router with your VPN fully installed. Save yourself the hassle of muddling through a tricky VPN installation process.
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How to Avoid Regional App Blocks on Google Play and the Apple App Store
If you’ve ever traveled internationally or moved to a new country, you may have encountered regional app blocks that prevent you from downloading certain apps from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. These restrictions—commonly referred to as geo-blocking—can affect streaming apps, banking tools, messaging platforms, and even productivity software.
Understanding how app store region controls work, and how VPN technology can help, makes it easier to access the apps you rely on no matter where you are in the world.
What Are Regional App Blocks?
Regional app blocks occur when an app developer or platform restricts availability based on geographic location. App stores determine availability using a combination of:
- Your account’s registered country or region
- Your device’s IP address
- Payment method country
- Local licensing, legal, or content agreements
As a result, users traveling abroad—or living as digital nomads, expats, or international students—often discover that apps they previously used are suddenly unavailable.
Why Do Google Play and Apple Restrict Apps by Region?
Regional restrictions exist for several reasons:
- Licensing agreements: Streaming and media apps often have country-specific rights
- Legal requirements: Some apps must comply with local regulations
- Staged rollouts: Developers may release apps in select markets first
- Monetization rules: Payment systems vary by country
These controls are enforced at the app store level, meaning your physical location alone is often enough to limit what you can download.
How a VPN Helps Bypass Regional App Restrictions
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows your device to connect to the internet through a server located in another country. This changes your visible IP address, making it appear as though you’re browsing from a different region.
When used correctly, a VPN can:
- Expose region-specific app listings
- Restore access while traveling
- Improve privacy and security on public Wi-Fi
- Help avoid ISP-based filtering
For best results, VPN usage should be combined with the correct app store account settings.
Using a VPN with Google Play (Android)
Google Play ties app availability primarily to your Google account region, but your IP address still plays a role.
- Connect to a VPN server located in the country where the app is available
- Clear Google Play Store cache and data (optional but recommended)
- Open Google Play while connected to the VPN
Google allows users to change their Play Store country only once per year, and may require a payment method issued in that country to complete the change.
For a network-wide solution, many users choose a VPN router so all Android devices connect through the same VPN automatically.
Using a VPN with the Apple App Store (iPhone & iPad)
Apple enforces app availability through your Apple ID’s country setting rather than your IP address alone.
- Go to Settings > Apple ID > Media & Purchases > View Account
- Select Country/Region
- Choose the desired country and confirm details
You may need a valid billing address or payment method from the selected region. Some users rely on gift cards to complete the process.
A VPN remains useful during this process and afterward, especially for apps that continue to enforce location checks after installation.
Common Limitations to Be Aware Of
- Changing app store regions can affect subscriptions
- Some apps block VPN traffic entirely
- Payment methods may need to match the selected country
- Local laws may restrict VPN usage in certain regions
In many cases, once an app is downloaded, it can be used anywhere—even if the app store itself remains restricted.
Why a VPN Router Is the Most Reliable Option
Rather than configuring VPN software on individual phones or tablets, a VPN router encrypts traffic at the network level. This ensures:
- Consistent IP location for all devices
- No app-by-app VPN setup
- Better stability for streaming and app access
- Protection for smart TVs, tablets, and consoles
FlashRouters offers pre-configured VPN routers that work seamlessly with leading VPN providers and open-source firmware.
Learn more about our recommended devices in the Best VPN Routers guide.
Related Guides
With the right combination of VPN technology and app store configuration, regional app blocks don’t have to limit your digital life—whether you’re traveling, relocating, or simply accessing global services securely.
How to Get Around Regional App Blocks on Google Play and Apple (Updated)
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