YouTube Premium has become a go-to service for users seeking ad-free streaming, background playback, and access to YouTube Music. The Family Plan makes it even more appealing, offering the same perks for up to five other members at a lower per-person cost. However, one frustrating limitation prevents many users from taking advantage of this offer: you cannot join a YouTube Premium Family Plan if you’re in a different country than the family manager. This restriction often results in an error message when trying to accept the invitation.
Fortunately, there are workarounds that allow you to join YouTube family plan created in another country. In this article, we’ll explain why this restriction exists and provide step-by-step solutions to help you get around it safely.
Why YouTube Restricts Family Plans by Country
YouTube Premium subscriptions are tied to a specific country because pricing, availability, and licensing agreements vary around the world. When a family manager creates a Family Plan, YouTube expects all members to live in the same household and region. Google verifies this information through account settings and device locations.
If your account’s country doesn’t match the country of the family manager, YouTube will block you from joining the plan. This safeguard is designed to prevent misuse of regional pricing but creates unnecessary friction for families who live in different countries due to work, education, or travel.
Solution 1: Use a VPN to Match the Family Manager’s Location
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to connect to the internet through a server located in another country. By using a VPN, you can temporarily change your online location to match that of the family manager. This lets you bypass YouTube’s location check and successfully accept the invitation.
Steps to Join Using a VPN:
- Install a Reliable VPN: Choose a reputable VPN service with servers in your family manager’s country.
- Connect to the Right Server: Open the VPN app and select a server in the country where the Family Plan was created.
- Log In to Your Google Account: Ensure that you’re signed in with the same Google account where you received the invitation.
- Accept the Invitation: Click the invitation link and follow the steps to join the family group. You should now be able to join without errors.
Tip: Once you’ve successfully joined, you can disconnect the VPN. YouTube does not typically recheck location after the initial sign-up.
Solution 2: Change Your Google Play Country
If you prefer a more permanent solution, especially if you plan to stay in your family manager’s country for an extended period, you can change your Google Play account country. This aligns your Google services, including YouTube, with the desired location.
However, changing your country is not something to take lightly. Google allows one country change per year, and switching regions may affect access to local apps, payment methods, and pricing.
We’ve created a detailed guide to help you through this process: Change Country in Google Play Store.
Once your country is updated, you’ll be able to join YouTube Family Plan without using a VPN.
Risks and Considerations
- Terms of Service: YouTube’s policy states that family members should live in the same household. Using a VPN or changing your Google Play country to bypass this restriction may technically violate these terms.
- Regional Content Changes: Switching your account’s country can alter your app library, content availability, and pricing.
- One-Time Country Change: Google only allows you to change your Play Store country once a year, so ensure this is the right long-term choice.
Did you know? You can get an ad-free Premium YouTube version by paying less money if you join from another country. Here is a guide on how to do it.
Final Thoughts
The Premium Family Plan is one of the best streaming deals available, but its country restrictions can be a roadblock for families living abroad or spread across multiple countries. The good news is that you can still join YouTube Family Plan:
- For a quick solution, use a VPN to match your family manager’s country when accepting the invitation.
- For a long-term solution: Change your Google Play country to match the country associated with the family manager’s account.
If you have other issues with YouTube or you would like to connect with the YouTube community or help services, you can seek support by posting in the community.
While these methods may involve extra steps, they’re practical workarounds that help families enjoy the full benefits of YouTube Premium without paying for multiple subscriptions. Whether you’re traveling, studying abroad, or simply living in a different country, these solutions can save you both time and money.
