UPDATE 3rd November, 2018: I’ve finally figured out how to pay for apps in Naira but you MUST have an active 9Mobile line. Check it out here >>>Â How To Pay For Google Play Store Apps In Naira With 9Pay
So about a week ago, I did this post alerting you guys to the fact that some Nigerian banks (GTBank and Stanbic IBTC in my case) have started blocking the use of their debit cards on Google Play Store due to Dynamic Currency Conversion which Google was using to charge Nigerians for app purchases and subscriptions.
Buikem saw the article and contacted via me DM and told me he had the same problem but fixed it by changing his default address on Google Play to a US address. Apparently what this does, is to make Google Play start billing you strictly in US Dollars instead of automatically converting your bill to Naira.
Once your bank is billed directly in dollars, your order will go through.
I was skeptical about changing my address until I saw this info on Google’s support pages
Thus I went ahead to change my Home Address to one based in the US. A UK address should work as well but you’d get charged in Pounds Sterlings.
To do this simply watch this video or follow the guide in continuation.
Login to Google Pay with your Google Play Store email account. Click on Settings and then click on Edit beside your Home address to fill in your US address and phone number of choice and save it once you’re done.
WARNING: Read Google’s policy on changing your home address before your proceed as this change can affect some features. Click here
Click on Settings >> Country >> Create New Profile.
NOTE: Creating a new profile will wipe your credit/debit card details. You’d have to add that back again when you’re through.
Click on Continue
Select your country of choice and input your new address for that particular country.
NOTE: When I did this tutorial in 2016 I used USA but I had to update this guide as Google changed the process thus I’m using UK here.
When you’re done, click on Submit and your new profile is ready for use
When you’re done, go back to Payment Methods and input your card details again. Your billing address remains the default billing address on your credit/debit card. DO NOT use your new US/UK/whatever address as your billing address if it isn’t as this could cause debit card verification errors.
I don’t know if this next step helps but I did it anyway.
On your android device, go to Settings >> Apps >> Google Play Store then Force Stop, Clear Cache and Clear Data.
 
Launch Google Play Store again and try making a purchase. the price will be reflected in Naira but at the time of making payment, it will change automatically to Dollars or Pounds as the case may be.
So guys my GTB Dollar MasterCard now works and my Stanbic IBTC Naira Mastercard no longer shows the Not Eligible error. I didn’t try the naira mastercards though as I don’t want any exchange rate induced heart attack. I’ll just stick to spending actual dollars on the play store for now.
Please if this works for you, kindly leave a comment below to let us know. Thanks.
Thanks to Adediran Adeyinka for this update. If it solves your problem, please, please leave a quick comment below. Thanks.
You’ll also like:
- How To Pay For Google Play Store Apps In Naira With 9Pay
- How To Change PayPal's Currency Conversion Options in 2018
- How To Change In App Purchase Account Google Play Store
- How To Link Nigerian Debit Cards To PayPal (Sept 2018)
- How To Fix Google Play Store Error 504
Please rate & share this article to help others. Thanks
Thank you so much for this. My bank’s debit card has been giving me so much problem
I just did this now. I don’t usually leave comments but I couldn’t resist. Thank you. It works. Finally downloaded the app I’ve wanted for a few months now for work. I used a restaurant address in the US with my billing details as normal and it processed in dollars just like you said. Well done I’ll be passing by again
i have notice that access banki master card is bae so please use access bank master card and it worked this site is the best site in the whole world
Thanks. Hmmm. I’m surprised as someone complained last week that his access bank mastercard didn’t work with this method. He had to use GTB Mastercard
it worked for me ooo
You’re welcome
Adeyinka’s update worked for me. Took about an hour with trials, and following the right steps it turned out okay. This month marks the 9th month I’ve been having issues with this after it suddenly stopped working last year.
Thank you so so much.
You’re welcome. Glad we could be of help.
How can I get a USA address and postal code? I need to try dis new method
hello guys..
i am from neither nigiriya nor USA
still can i use nigiriya to buy app for cheaper price
No you can’t as we are now billed in US dollars and not nigerian currency
hello sir plz check ur facebook
np.. i have my friends in USA can i try this?
it worked thanks…do i need to change the filled address back to my nigerian one?
No. Just leave it the way it is
it says correct this card info or try a different card idk why please help me
Which bank’s card are you trying to add?
worked for me, I used a GT Naira master card, changed my address to a US address with postcodes. Went to Play store and deleted cache…I noticed prices show up in naira but at time of purchase changes to dollar. And the purchase went through.
Thanks a lot! Got it! And it sure did work! Was able to purchase my professional app!
You’re welcome bro
It didnt work for me…i have been trying for months
Which bank are you using?
Access bank ..visa card
Access Bank seems to accept international transaction on their cards but I’m not sure if it works on Visa. Any ideas?
Also what error are you getting? Have you followed every single part of this guide? My part of this guide works and for those it doesn’t work for, the update works too
Correct card info..can i call u?
No problem
I left you a msg on facebook
Seen
I have tried..i even called the bank this morning to confirm the billing address
I have gt bank master card tho…buh am not sure of the billing address
I WILL BE A THIEF IF I DON’T TESTIFY. I TRIED THE FIRST STEP YOU DESCRIBED WHICH IS CHANGING TO A LOCATION IN THE US AND IT WORKED LIKE MAGIC. THANKS AND GOD BLESS
You’re welcome sir 😀
Please I’m getting this message when ever I tried logging in Google payment You haven’t signed up to pay for any Google services yet…..I can’t access the it pls help
@Chris I’ve never experienced that before. Have you logged into this Google account on your Android device? That is is the Google account you wish to use for Payment added to the accounts section of your device?
Thanks so much for this info! I was almost going nuts because of that error message until i stumbled on this. God bless you real good! I have been able to make my purchase on the play store :)
@Ronke: You’re welcome :D
Thanks.. So helpful. Felt like a baddo when the transaction went through..finally.
@Dee lol. You’re welcome
After following all the steps u laid down it did not work for GTB naira master card.
Wat I did to correct it was, instead of purchasing the app, I bought Google credits(exchange rate was N320 to 1USD) then I went on to buy the app with the Google credit.
@Del I’m guessing you don’t reside in Nigeria as I tried purchasing Google credits and found out it isn’t available in all countries
Bro, I’ve done as you’ve suggested but I keep getting “correct card info or try a different card”. Please what am I doing wrong?
@Adeyinka Maybe you have to call your bank should in case there’s something wrong with your card. Make sure the address for your card is correctly input also. Remember your Google account address is different from your debit card address. Your debit card address should be the one that you used to open your bank account.
If you’ve done all this as well as what I’ve written in the post and still no luck, try changing your IP to US address with Opera VPN https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.opera.vpn&hl=en and then try again.
P.S: What bank’s card are you using?
Hi, i was just about to make same comment @Adeyinka did. i use GTB Naira debit card and I have not registered my card with Google before so that message “correct card info or try a different card” occurs when i try to register the card. do you think that’s the problem or should i get a dollar debit card?
@Liverpool : I’ve updated the article with new details. Or check your email sir
Its finally worked for me. although i did not create new google account. i just made sure the address with my card is accurate and i used Canadian address for billing. i made purchase and was billed in Canadian dollar. Note for others: use a foreign address as billing (edit by choosing the country) then use your card address (address attached to your account) for payment method. Thanks bro your article is very helpful.
@Liverpool I’m happy you’ve resolved the issue
Thanks.. Helpful tip.
Thanks. Very helpful
What is the postal code you are going to write in filling in debit card details
@Morpheous: The postal code of the address with which you opened your bank account. See http://www.nigeriapostcodes.com/
Thanks I still have many questions though but am going to take step by step
So is it my home address or the bank address and were you are to fill in your card details were they wrote card holder name is all in capital letters or begining of each letter capital plz dont be mad am kinda new to this :)
Capital or small letter don’t matter sir. When you opened your account I’m sure you were asked to fill residential address in the application form. That’s the address for your MasterCard
Okay so it the home address the for the postal code right? Then the city I don’t know what to write there and I live in state anambra ,capital Awka town amawbia I don’t know what to write there and I use a visa card in FCMB bank the one at awka
@Morphepus: I really don’t know how to explain this to you without seeing the FULL address you used in the opening the FCMB account. I suggest you get someone you trust to do this for you.
I need you to guide me on this I will go request for the address but in the mean time I will go open a GT bank account
I need you on this your are the only source I have come close to making payments with my debit card and if it doesn’t work I will go open a GT bank account then tell you the address so you can help me but in the mean time I will go to the bank and ask them for my account info
No problem Morpheous. Once you get the address, send it to me via email and I’ll get back to you on how to enter it into the form.
Okay thanks sorry for not contacting you lately am still in school but I have a question can a student account’s atm card in GT bank make in app purchases in google play
If the card has the MasterCard or Visa logo on it, it can be used for app purchases on Google play store
OK cause am want to open a GT bank account today how much do you think it will cost
Thank you very much man. I have also been trying to purchase stuffs on playstore for a while now but once i get to the “rejecting of a thing” i just leave it. I tried your steps and was able to make the payment.
The steps was pretty straightforward also.
THANK YOU!!!
Glad it worked for you as quite a number have said it does nothing for them. Lol.
wow, it worked!! i have been battling with my debit card declination for months, i even went to the banks to complain but they couldn’t solve it still. I tried the steps above and it really worked for me, thanks.
@Adeleye. Thanks for taking time to leave feedback man. Please which of the banks are you using?
i use Ecobank and Access
Thanks man :D
I tried my First Bank Naira MasterCard, following through with you information and it worked. I used a Uk address instead and it still worked. The difference is that the price reflected at the time of processing payments is in Euro €. Thanks
@Ann Awesome. Thanks for the feedback. I was beginning to wonder if I’m the only person this worked for. Lol