The Google Play store includes thousands of different applications. The service is conventionally divided into regions, so for most of the largest countries there are different versions of the Google Play store. How to change the region is a common question from users. This procedure is carried out using your account settings. You can also use third-party programs to mask your IP address, thereby gaining access to Google Play in another country.

Why do you need to change country?

There are many reasons for this manipulation. Many people travel extensively or frequently go on business trips to other countries. Certain applications may not work in any country, so it becomes necessary to change the country of your Google Play account.

There are also times when you need to download an application on your device that is only available in a certain country. You will not be able to download such programs to your device, as the system will display a warning “The application is not available in your region.”

Changing your account settings

This method is only suitable for those who have linked a bank card to their Google Play account. This is due to the fact that when adding payment information, you indicated your place of residence, in particular your country and city. These data can be changed by specifying another country, after which the Play Market will change the country accordingly.

To make a change do the following:

If everything is done correctly, when you re-enter the Play Market, the country will already be changed according to the new settings.

Masking your IP address using third-party applications

If you do not have a bank card linked to your account, but you urgently need to get to Google Play in another country, you can use a VPN. There are several similar applications in the Play Store that will help you disguise your address as the desired country. A prime example is the TunnelBear VPN app. You can download it to your device from Google Play in your region.

To change the country in Google Market using TunnelBear:

After these manipulations, you will be taken to Google Play of the country that was specified in TunnelBear VPN. The app offers 500 megabytes of free monthly traffic and an additional one gigabyte.

Using MarketHelper

Another very useful application that will allow you to remove almost any restrictions to change the country in Google Play is called Market Helper. Only those who have received Root superuser rights for their smartphone can use it. With this program, you can not only change the country, but also make Google Play see your device as a completely different model.

To use the Market Helper program you need:

1. Go to the “Settings” of the gadget, submenu “Security”.
2. Check the “Unknown sources” box. This will install this program.
3. Download the application from the Internet and then install it on your tablet or smartphone.
4. Select the Select Account menu and enter your Gmail login. Next, click the “Activate” button. The application will ask for permission. Confirm.
5. When prompted for superuser rights, click Grant.
6. In the application menu, specify the device type (phone or tablet) and model.
   
7. In the Select operator line, specify the required country.
   
8. Follow the link to your personal Google Dashboard account and make changes.
9. Press the Home button and go to the Play Store.

Now, as a region, you will have the state that you previously selected in this application.

To flash a Samsung smartphone, you first need to find the latest firmware for your model. Sometimes this is not easy to do, because there are few reliable sources on the Internet, and you can turn your smartphone into a brick with one wrong byte in the firmware file. Website AndroGoo offers an easy way to search for firmware for any model of Samsung smartphone.

SamFirm - download a program to quickly search for firmware

For the program to work, the following must be installed on your computer:

• NET Framework 3.5 and Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x86). You can download it from here: http://www.microsoft.c...d/details.aspx?id=5582.
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86). You can download it from here: https://www.microsoft....d/details.aspx?id=5555.

Archive with the program: DOWNLOAD

How to find and download firmware for Samsung?

• Unpack the downloaded archive with the program into a folder and run the program.
• In field "Model" enter your model code (you can find it on the smartphone packaging, in the instructions or under the battery. For example, SM-G930F, etc.).
• In field "Region" enter the one you need CSC region code, For example, BTU or some other.

What is a CSC region and how to find it?

CSC code used in Samsung phones to determine the country where the phone was sold and the firmware language. To find out which firmware version you need, you should check the code under the phone battery. It can also be found in the table below.

• Check the box "Auto", and press "Check Update".

• When the program finds the firmware, check the boxes "Decrypt automatically"(to recode the firmware into the required format), "Check CRC32"(to check checksums) and press "Download". Specify the path to download the firmware (can be on your desktop). Do not rush to turn off the program until it recodes the firmware into the required format and checks the checksums (the green bar in the program will pass 2 times and 2 inscriptions will appear at the bottom: Checking CRC32…Success: CRC match And Decrypting firmware…Decryption finished, indicating the completion of checksum verification and decoding operations).
  

What should I do if I can’t find the firmware on SamFirmware?

• If the program could not find the firmware for your smartphone, it means it is multi-file and you need to enter the values ​​manually.
• To do this, go to the site Samsung Freeware in the block Model Selection on the right we are looking for our model. In the search results, look for the region we need and click on the button Dowload.
• In the program window, put a tick on Manual and enter in the fields PDA, C.S.C., Phone information from the firmware page you went to above.

• If it still doesn’t find it, there is another place where you can download firmware for Samsung - website Samsung Freeware.

The problem with ways to change the country in the Google Play service is acute for all users of the Android system. It usually occurs when moving. Access to all application functions directly depends on its solution.

Google Play Service

To understand how to change the country in Google Play and why to do it, you first need to understand the service itself. It was launched by a well-known company after the launch of smartphones with the Android operating system.

This application played the role of a store with a lot of paid and free materials. At the present time, its purpose has not changed, only the content has increased hundreds of times. As for downloading options, there is everything here, from books, TV series, movies to games and software. In the twenty-first century, people are accustomed to being able to download in-demand material anywhere in the world using digital technology. It’s just impossible to do this with reference to a specific country. A message will begin to appear on the screen stating that the application is unavailable in this country and the like. A solution has been found. Now Google Market will be available everywhere.

How does binding to a country happen and what does it mean?

A device with the Android operating system always remembers the country where it is used on an ongoing basis. When moving to another country, the smartphone does not have an automatic change mode. He continues to believe that all files can be downloaded only in the territory specified in the settings. In this case, when connected to the Internet, the device determines its location and blocks access to downloading. This is exactly how the Google Play application works. At the moment, the manufacturing company’s specialists have not learned how to solve this problem automatically. In the future, they will definitely pay attention to this issue, because many millions of letters of support have already been written. This is why it is important to know how to change the country in Google Play. There are currently three ways to do this.

Changing the IP address on a smartphone

It's no secret that when you connect to the Internet, the gadget is bound to a specific address on the network. It is called IP and is provided by the provider that provides access to the World Wide Web. Moreover, this unique number is always linked to the country. This is how the Android OS “understands” which country it is in. It turns out that you just need to change the address to a proxy of another state, and the application itself will open access to downloading files available to its residents. It would seem that this is the easiest way, and you no longer need to think about how to change the country in the Google Play Market. There is one limitation here that becomes a big minus. To change your IP, you will have to download a certain program, for example TunnelBear VPN. There are no problems with downloading and installation, but when starting and changing the address, it will greatly reduce the traffic speed. As a result, the method becomes acceptable only for uploading small files.

MarketHelper application

This utility can only be loaded from another source, so first of all you should check the “Load from other sources” box in the gadget settings. During installation, it is important not to forget to agree to have superuser rights, because without them it will be impossible to change the region. In the appropriate menu item, enter Gmail and phone number. If everything is done correctly, the main menu will appear with the ability to enter the model number of your phone or tablet, as well as the country. It is important that the utility has a direct impact on Google Play. After saving all changes, the service will assume that you are in the region and using the device model indicated in MarketHelper. With this program, the question of how to change the country in Google Play should no longer arise.

Manually changing location settings

This method is suitable for those who regularly move from place to place and use a bank card in the Google service. The instructions consist of several easy steps; it will take the user no more than ten minutes. First you need to go to the shopping store, select “payment methods”, find the change button and link your bank card. Next, in the map menu you need to indicate your current address or any other, most importantly - your country. After that, go to the settings and indicate the same address. It is very important that they coincide with each other. After saving the changes, go to the “Address Book” item and set the previously entered data to the “default” value. Now all these changes need to be saved for the Google application. Go to settings and mark it in the appropriate field. After this there will be a complete change of region.

Some users note that this is the easiest way to change the country on Google Play. If the change does not occur immediately, you should wait 2-3 hours. During this time, the service will reload the data, and all changes will take effect. It may happen that after this time nothing happens. Then you should use one of the above methods or write to Google support.

What is your firmware version? you can find out by dialing the code in the standard dialer: *#1234#

You'll see something like this:

PDA: I9100XXKG6 – this is your firmware version

PHONE: I9100XXKG6 – this is the version of your modem (i.e. telephone module)

CSC: I9100XEKF2 is the installation firmware version for your region. For the Russian Region, the first 2 letters of this firmware must be XE or XW. If you have a different code, then by following this link you can see the decoding of region codes.

In the stock (i.e. the one that is the official factory) firmware, the kernel version is usually root@DELLXXX. This does not mean that the phone is rooted (more on that later). This is simply an indication of the user/computer that collected and on which the kernel was compiled. In Linux systems there is a special user who can do everything in the system and his rights are not limited in any way. His “name” is root

What is PDA? This is a part of the firmware containing the Linux kernel, the Android kernel, all programs installed by default and other components necessary for the operation of the system.

What is CSC? This is the part of the firmware that determines the settings for your regional firmware. It contains some of the programs that you, as a rule, will never need and they are nationally localized. These are Music Hub, Readers Hub, etc. It contains T9 settings and dictionaries, the default location of your programs on desktops and other settings, such as default keyboard layouts and Swipe settings (Samsung's text input method). If you have the official stock firmware of the Russian region (SER – Russia, SEK – Ukraine, etc. via the above link. Don’t look for KOR - we don’t know what it is), then your CSC is definitely Russian. If you are installing non-stock firmware , and the so-called custom (privately made), then flashing the CSC part can only bring you problems. You can only do this if you understand what you are doing and you have enough understanding and qualifications.

What is your region and how can I change it?
In the standard dialer, first dial: *#06# - you will see the unique hardware code of your phone. Write it down. By the way, compare it with what's on your box. They must match! Now dial *#272*IMEI#, replacing the IMEI with the recorded code. You will see a menu showing your current code and the available codes to change. Attention! If for some reason you decide to change your region code, this will completely delete your user data (programs and settings) from your phone.
Why do you need to change the region? Basically you need to do 1. if you want to have completely official phone number, which will see the Kies program as official and offer you official updates; 2. If something happened to your localization and in the CSC line you see not the firmware version, but the word Unknown; 3. If you know what you are doing.

How to flash?

The most important.
First, always use original cord, and not a Chinese double. A lot of problems were caused by low-quality cords. Never stop the firmware in the middle of the process(except in exceptional cases). This may cause permanent damage to your phone. You will receive the so-called "brick". Flashing the phone takes from 3 to 5 minutes.

There are 2 ways:
1. Official way. You must have the Keyes program and drivers installed (in the Keys program menu there is an item - install driver). Keyes will see your connected phone and offer to update the software. Next we follow the instructions. For a number of reasons, we do not recommend using Kies for firmware, as it is sometimes unstable. The official method may take you a huge amount of time, since it completely depends on your Internet connection.
2. Method, which is used by service centers.

1) Install the special program Odin3_1.85.zip

2) Select the PDA, PHONE and CSC firmware files previously downloaded and unpacked on the PC, as shown below.

In the BOOTLOADER field DO NOT INSERT ANYTHING LEAVE BLANK

In the PIT field we insert the file **_**_********_****_EXT4.pit - In the PDA field we insert the file CODE_I9100*****_********_REV02_user_low_ship. tar (pit file is used as a last resort)

In the PHONE field paste the file MODEM_I9100*****_REV_02_CL1044543.tar

In the CSC field paste the file GT-I9100-CSC-MULTI-******.tar

3) Enter the device into boot mode by pressing the Volume Down, OK, Power ON/OFF buttons, confirming with the Volume Up key the desire to flash

4) Connect the device to the PC via Data Cable. Make sure that the ID:COM block lights up yellow, i.e. that the phone is connected to the PC.

5) We start the firmware by pressing the Start button. We are waiting for the firmware to finish.

Note:
If you downloaded an archive that contains only one TAR file, then we substitute this TAR into one as a PDA part. We do not touch the remaining jackdaws.

What types of firmware are there? Usually you download a zip file and in it:

- Single-file. This is one file with a tar or tar.md5 extension. It is preferable to download and flash the second type of files, because if you have an incorrectly downloaded file (broken, with errors), then a file with an md5 signature (a unique checksum confirming the integrity of the file) will in no case be flashed onto your device. The tar file does not control the end of the archive, and you risk flashing incomplete firmware. Single-file firmware is installed as part of the PDA with Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time checked
Single-file firmwares are safe for your user data. In other words, after such firmware you have everything remains as it was. Only the firmware version changes. Kies uses single-file firmware.
- Three-file. These are files that have a tar or tar.md5 extension and contain the words CODE, MODEM and CSC in the name. You place the CODE file in the PDA part, the CSC file you place in the CSC and the MODEM file you place in the PHONE and press START. After the firmware is installed, your phone will reboot. Installed Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time checkboxes. In most cases, three-file firmware will delete all your user data.For those interested, this is happening.

· If there is a data.img file in the CODE file

· If wipe data is specified in the CSC command file

- Triple with fourth PIT file(has the PIT extension and contains information about the file system and partitions). It is stitched through Odin with the additionally installed Re-partition checkbox. Your internal flash card will be re-partitioned into sections and all your data will definitely be lost. Used in case of serious problems with the performance of the phone and/or storage device. It is recommended to use the PIT file only in extreme cases, because the largest number of failed firmware is associated with full firmware + PIT.

There is one more additional file in the archive - KERNEL*. There is no need to touch it. This is just a native (stock) kernel separate from the firmware. It is already flashed in the CODE-PDA part. Why it is - you will understand later.
Addition: starting with the KH3 firmware, there may be one more file - EFS*. You don't need to touch it either. It is not required for regular firmware. This file is needed to restore the EFS partition if for some reason something happens to it. To do this, you flash this file as a PDA part and then restore the contents of the /efs folder from your backup (more on this below). It is quite possible that before this operation you will need to flash a three-part file with a PIT file and the re-partition checkbox in order to restore the partition structure

In terms of useful content, single-file and three-file firmware are no different. There are the same image files inside.

If the firmware process stops unexpectedly and nothing happens, then as a rule (90% of cases):

• You have a non-original or faulty USB cord
• You have not disabled Keyes services or the Keyes program itself is working
• You have an antivirus that is preventing proper connection
• You have a faulty USB port You have Win 7 x64 (some people have problems with this OS - look towards reinstalling the drivers)

The firmware region of a Samsung smartphone can ruin the life of the device owner. What determines the firmware region, what the regionality of the firmware affects, how to change it and whether it is worth doing. Let's figure it out!

The firmware regions used by Samsung prevent damage to the device when updating software over the air or via cable. After all, trying to install “Chinese” or “American” firmware on a “Russian” smartphone will not end very well. In this case, the user will receive an interface in a completely unfamiliar language. In addition, the set of pre-installed applications may also change. And in some cases, the device will start to slow down or reboot from time to time.

How to find out the firmware region?

There is one simple rule: Samsung firmware regions are always tied to the country in which the store that sold the smartphone or tablet was located. That is, if you bought a phone in China, it will most likely have a Chinese region; if you bought a device in Russia, it will be Russian.

But how can you find out the firmware region if you bought the device secondhand or received it as a gift? In this case, the Kies program will help you:

• download it, install it on your computer, connect your phone to it and launch Kies;
• in the program window, in the “Firmware Information” section, find the letters CSC and remember the symbols to the left of them;
• look for these characters in the CSC code table by determining the firmware region.

For example, if Kies shows the following message: "CSC:MC 1( SER)", then you have a device with a Russian version of the firmware. Indeed, in the table of CSC codes the Russian region corresponds to the symbols AZC BLN EMT ERS GEO MTV SER SNT.

In addition, sometimes the CSC code is indicated under the phone’s battery or under the cover of the device. In this case, you only need a table of codes.

Why change the firmware region?

If you bought the device from a regional dealer and do not intend to move to another country, then you will not need such a replacement. You are in your region by default and receive the necessary update packages that do not change the interface language or hardware settings.

A completely different situation arises when the phone is purchased from a foreign store. Firmware regions, as we remember, are tied to the state where your seller is a resident. Therefore, a phone crossing borders may have problems with software upgrades.

Simply put, a smartphone ordered from China will try to download and install Chinese firmware, “delighting” its owner with a new interface with hieroglyphs and settings for the GSM module and modem. To prevent this from happening, the user will have to change the region of the device.

In addition, in some cases, firmware regions are changed to others due to the desire to gain access to functions and options that are only available to residents of certain countries. Usually we are talking about the right to free use of streaming services or cloud storage.

How to change the firmware region and what will happen to me for it?

Before changing the firmware region, the user will have to open undocumented functions of the phone. After this you need to do the following:

• save all important data on your computer (back up your smartphone) and charge your phone to 100 percent battery capacity;
• download and install the CSC Changer application on your smartphone, but you will not find it in the standard Google Play. Here you will have to rummage through forums and thematic sites;
• run CSC Changer in super-user mode;
• in the window that opens, click on the “Change CSC” button;
• confirm your intention to change the firmware region by clicking on “Continue”;
• select the desired CSC code based on the table of firmware regions;
• Click on “INSTALL” and wait for the device to reboot.

After this, you will receive a device reset to factory settings (this is why we needed a backup copy of the smartphone) with a new firmware region. In case of failure, failure or error in the operation of the program, you will ruin your smartphone, resulting in a plastic “brick” as a result. Moreover, you can forget about warranty repairs right away - official centers do not undertake to restore rooted devices under warranty.