How to change your PSN region on PS4 and PS5 in 2026

Geo-restrictions on PlayStation can be frustrating. Sometimes, games launch in one place earlier than others. Other times, the costs are much lower in certain countries. Whatever the case, the fact that you can’t change your region limits your options and often costs you time and money. Luckily, using a VPN can enable you to bypass these restrictions by providing you with an IP address in a location of your choosing.

By learning how to change your PSN region on PS4 and PS5, you can enjoy early releases without waiting, play region-locked games, and get the best prices. In this guide, I’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to change your PSN region using a VPN and rankshare the best services for PlayStation users based on testing I’ve done together with the Cybernews research team.

How to change PSN region on PlayStation with VPN

1. Register for a reliable VPN with servers in your desired region – I recommend NordVPN, now 75% off
2. Download and install the app on your device
3. Connect to a VPN server in your chosen region
4. Create a new PSN account and select the region you want during the setup process
5. Turn on the PlayStation Store – your PSN account is now in a different region

Why do you need a VPN on PlayStation?

When you create a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, it locks your region, and you won’t be able to change it. Even if you move permanently to another country, you can’t freely change locations in the settings.

But, even if you haven’t moved to another country, there are lots of reasons why you might want to change your PSN country:

• Accessing region-restricted deals. Different countries might have geo-restricted promo deals. By changing your location with a VPN, you can make full use of that.
• Fast, smooth gameplay. If you’re gaming online with players in other countries, by using a VPN to connect to servers near them, you can improve gaming performance.
• Play PlayStation Now games on PlayStation Plus. Although PlayStation Plus has replaced PlayStation Now, you can still play your favorite games with the new service. And with a VPN, you’ll be able to access game libraries available in other countries.
• Access geo-blocked apps and content. Apps like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max are only available in certain regions. Similarly, streaming services might have geo-specific content. A VPN will help you get around this by issuing you with an IP address from the country of your choice, providing unrestricted access.

Best VPNs to change your PSN account region

Even though there are many providers claiming to offer the best VPN for PSN, not all of them can back it up. We ran the tests, and these are the best PSN VPN options.

1. NordVPN – best all-around VPN for PSN
2. Surfshark – fast VPN for PSN with unlimited connections
3. IPVanish – fast, streaming-ready VPN for PSN

How to set up a new PSN account for a different region

If you want to convince PSN that you're from a different region, an IP address can go a long way as far as reassurance goes. This should make sure that your registration passes successfully. You will be able to experience it as if you really were from another region.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to set up a new account on PlayStation:

1. Set up a VPN on your router and choose your preferred location. NordVPN is a good choice, now 75% OFF.
2. Connect your PlayStation to your router.
3. Switch on your PlayStation and click Add User.
4. After you have accepted the System Software License Agreement, you will be prompted to create an account.
5. Select the region you want to use and your preferred language.
6. Put in your account details, like your date of birth, sign-in ID (email address), password, and name.
7. Enter the location details you want to use. Here, you will need to enter an address in the region you have chosen, including a postal code, city, and state or province. If you don’t have one, you can use an address generator to get a randomized address.
8. Create your profile. Choose your gaming avatar, create your online ID, complete any other basic setup details, and tap Confirm on the Important Legal Documents page.
9. Open the PlayStation Store. It should show content and prices from the new location.

Download NordVPN for PlayStation

This also means that your friend list and bought games will remain on a separate account. So, if you are only changing the account's location to take advantage of some better deal, keep this in mind if you're thinking about multiplayer. It also applies to PlayStation Plus services that you might be subscribed to.

How to unblock geo-restricted content on PS4 and PS5 with VPN

It might not be required for you to create a PSN account in a different country to unblock geo-restricted content. Many applications, such as Netflix, will identify you by your IP address instead. So, in order to watch geo-restricted content, you'll need to change it using a VPN.

To do that, simply install a VPN on your hotspot-capable device, such as a router. You can also use Windows hotspot instead. If you're using a router, follow our guide on how to install a VPN on a router. If using Windows hotspot, NordVPN has step-by-step instructions on how to share a VPN connection via Windows hotspot.

This should give you a VPN-protected foreign VPN address, enough to access geo-restricted content on a PS4 and PS5.

How to buy games on another country's PlayStation Store

Even if you change the country on your PSN account, you will still be unable to buy games directly from the PlayStation Store. This is because you need to have a PayPal or credit card that is registered in the country that you have selected.

If you don’t have a form of payment that is registered to the country of your new PlayStation user, you will need to purchase a gift card from your chosen region’s PlayStation gift card store. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download a VPN. I recommend NordVPN (now 75% OFF), as it has a large server fleet and has many useful features.
2. Connect to your chosen region’s server and visit a reputable gift card seller like Amazon
3. Select a gift card worth your chosen amount
4. Click Add to Cart, and go to the checkout. You will be able to choose from Google Pay, PayPal, or a Credit/Debit card.
5. Enter your payment information. Within minutes, you will be emailed a digital copy of your gift card and 12-digit code.
6. Log in to your new PSN account and open the PlayStation Store.
7. Click Redeem Code and enter the 12-digit code from your email. Once you have selected to continue, the funds of your gift card will be added to your account.
8. Purchase the game or app that you want to buy.

Download NordVPN

How to install a VPN on PS4 and PS5

Unfortunately, there are no VPN apps available on the PlayStation Store. However, you can install a VPN on your router. Alternatively, you can install one on your PC and connect your PC to your PlayStation via an ethernet cable, Wi-Fi, or Windows 11 mobile hotspot to bypass region restrictions. Many top-tier VPNs will work with this solution.

Via router

Once you have set up a VPN on your router, you will need to connect it to your PlayStation. These simple steps will help you connect your VPN-protected router to your PS4 and PS5:

1. Go to the Dynamic Menu on your PS4 or PS5
2. Select Settings
3. Go to Network, then click on Settings (PS5 only), and tap Set Up Internet Connection
4. Click on your preferred Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password in order to connect
5. Go back to the Network tab, navigate to the Connection Status field, and then click on Test Internet Connection
6. Start playing

Some VPN service providers also offer pre-configured routers. You can use them out of the box, which is an even faster method to connect your console with a VPN.

Via ethernet cable

You can connect your PlayStation to your laptop’s VPN via an ethernet cable. Below, I explain how to do this using NordVPN:

1. On your PC, navigate to the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and right-click the network icon to open the network and sharing center
2. Click on Network and Internet settings
3. Click on Change adapter options
4. You’ll see 3 options: your Wi-Fi connection, the option to connect the device without a NordVPN connection, and the TAP adapter used by the NordVPN app to establish a VPN connection
5. Right-click on the TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter option
6. Click on Properties
7. Go to the Sharing tab
8. Tick Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection
9. Under Home networking connection, choose the network you’ll be sharing the connection with and then click OK
10. Go to the NordVPN app and switch to either the UDP or TCP protocol
11. Connect your PC or laptop to your PlayStation with an ethernet cable
12. When you see the ethernet interface trying to identify the connection, go to the NordVPN app and connect
13. The VPN connection is now shared with your PlayStation

Conclusion

There are multiple reasons why you might want to change your PSN region. Depending on whether you want to watch geo-locked content or access games and apps not available in your region, the solutions will also differ.

You might have to make a new PSN account for apps and games. Meanwhile, for accessing content, a good VPN will be an excellent help. Giving you a foreign IP address, it will let you stream, browse, and game as if you were there. During our tests, NordVPN was consistently one of the best options around.

Not only is it a great option for streaming high-definition video content, but it's also a great option for improving your online security and reducing ISP internet connection throttling.

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