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There is a particular game which is in beta release in on country, in my country it is possible to register on a waiting list and in South America it just says "not available in your country". Is there a general explanation why the availability is different between different countries? Is it for marketing and purchase power adjustments or some other reason?

Niklas Rosencrantz
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  • The most obvious reason for developers not to release an app in a specific region are missing localization and of course legal problems (app content not allowed or missing license for a specific country). – Robert Aug 13 '20 at 13:11
  • Software is considered a controlled export, and through embargo may be restricted from release to certain countries. Search for "Trade Compliance" and similar for the regulations. – wbogacz Aug 13 '20 at 15:36

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Two factors

  1. Google for reasons not made public has a list of countries where app and Google Content is available Country availability for Google Play apps & digital content.

  2. Developers may choose targeted release for their own reasons. Google guidance on this - Distribute app releases to specific countries - Play Console Help. I am not a developer but I guess reasons could include localization, scalability of app, revenue expectations, taxation issues, political reasons (Indian ban on Chinese apps recently comes to mind), reviews (I am aware of a famous developer who doesn't release his apps in some countries because of unfair reviews).

beeshyams
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  • Are you sure about this ? I have seen no evidence of this at all. I always buy parallel imported Samsung phones which countries from all over the world. They all can access the apps that I am supposed to. What matters is the country of your Google account and the Country you are in. The only thing I have noticed on one phone was that I could not get rid of Muslim holidays from the calendar. – Rohit Gupta Sep 01 '23 at 06:59
  • Yes. FairEmail is an Email app, not available in India and some middle eastern countries. But is available in Europe /USA etc. I also linked console help (point 2) where developers can choose their countries of release//You are lucky if you didn't have this problem so far. //Chinese apps 70+ aren't available in India example: Camscanner – beeshyams Sep 01 '23 at 07:24