Pokemon TCG Pocket is out in some territories, and you can play it now if your iOS or Android account is set to the correct location. The game soft-launched in New Zealand recently, but you don’t have to actually live there to download it. We’ll show you how to create a New Zealand account on iOS or Android so you don’t have to wait to give Pokemon TCG Pocket a shot.
How to download and play Pokemon TCG Pocket on iOS or Android right now
You only need a New Zealand Google or Apple Account to download Pokemon TCG Pocket. However, that’s not exactly straightforward, and there are some caveats that make this method of playing the game less than ideal.
If you create a new account, you need a New Zealand phone number and potentially a New Zealand Payment method. The whole process is much easier if you already have a secondary Google Play or Apple Account that you’re not using. If you don’t already have an account, we recommend creating one in your home country and switching it to New Zealand to avoid these requirements. Once you’ve made your new account, you can change the locale on an existing account by logging in and changing the address.
To change your Google Play Account country on Android:
- Open the Google Play Store
- Tap the profile icon on the top right.
- Go to Settings -> General -> Account preferences -> Country and profiles
- Tap the name of the country you want to change to.
To change your Apple Account:
- Go to account.apple.com.
- Log into your account.
- Click Personal Information.
- Choose Country/Region.
- Selection the country you want to change to.
Once you have a New Zealand account, you just need to log into an Android, iOS, or iPad OS device and grab Pokemon TCG Pocket from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Note that it’s best to treat this as a demo while you wait for the game to be officially released in your region. You won’t be able to purchase premium currency or the monthly pass unless you add a New Zealand payment method to your account. Additionally, there’s no guarantee that progress will be transferred to another account.
