How to Choose a Proxy Region for Testing Local Releases of Apps and Games

Local releases of apps, games, and content in different countries are a common practice for developers and publishers. But how can you ensure that your app displays correctly in the Indian App Store, that a game is available on Steam in Brazil, and that an advertising campaign is shown to users in Germany? The only way is to test through a proxy with IP addresses from the required regions.

In this guide, we will discuss how to properly choose a proxy region for checking local releases, which types of proxies are suitable for different tasks, and how to avoid common mistakes when testing geolocation content.

Why Proxy Region is Critical for Local Releases

Content distribution platforms — App Store, Google Play, Steam, Netflix, Spotify, and others — use user geolocation to determine available content. This means that a user from Russia sees a completely different catalog of apps and prices than a user from the USA or Japan.

This is why simply changing account settings or using a VPN does not always work:

• App Store and Google Play check not only account settings but also the device's IP address. If the IP does not match the account's region — the content may not display or may display incorrectly.
• Steam determines the region by IP and blocks purchases if it detects a mismatch between payment data and geolocation.
• Streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, HBO) have different content libraries for each country and actively block VPNs.
• Advertising platforms (Google Ads, Facebook Ads) show ads only to users from targeted regions — visibility can only be checked with the corresponding IP.

Using a proxy with an IP address from the desired country is the only reliable way to see content through the eyes of a real user from that region.

Main Use Cases for Regional Proxies

1. Testing Mobile Apps Before Release

Developers often release apps first in one country (soft launch) to test functionality and gather feedback before a global release. For example, a new game may only be available in Canada, the Philippines, or Australia.

To check how the app displays in the App Store or Google Play of a specific country, a proxy with an IP from that country is needed. This allows:

• To ensure that the app is visible in the store search
• To check the accuracy of descriptions, screenshots, and prices
• To test the installation and first launch process
• To identify regional bugs (e.g., localization issues)

2. Checking Game Availability on Steam and Epic Games Store

Game publishers often set different release dates for different regions or block sales in certain countries altogether due to legal restrictions or publishing agreements.

Proxies allow:

• To check in which countries the game is available for purchase
• To compare prices in different regions (regional pricing)
• To test regional content restrictions
• To ensure that DLC and updates are available in all necessary countries

3. Testing Advertising Campaigns in Different Countries

Marketers and media buyers launch targeted campaigns in Google Ads, Facebook Ads, TikTok Ads for specific countries. To check how the ads look for users from the target region, a proxy from that country is needed.

This helps:

• To ensure that ads are shown in the desired region
• To check the accuracy of localization of texts and creatives
• To assess the competitive environment in the region
• To test landing pages from the perspective of a user from the target country

4. Checking Streaming Services and Content

Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video have different content libraries in each country due to licensing agreements. Content creators and distributors use proxies to check the availability of their movies and series in different regions.

How to Choose the Right Proxy Region: Step-by-Step Algorithm

Choosing a proxy region depends on your specific task. Here is a step-by-step decision-making algorithm:

Step 1: Identify the Target Market for the Release

First of all, you need to understand in which countries your product is planned to be released. This can be:

• One country — for soft launch (e.g., Canada, Philippines, New Zealand)
• Region — for example, Southeast Asian countries, Latin America, European Union
• Tier-1 countries — USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia
• Emerging markets — India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico

Step 2: Consider Platform Features

Different platforms determine the user's region differently:

Step 3: Choose a Specific City or Provider

For some tasks, not only the country region is important, but also a specific city. For example:

• Local business: If you are testing an app for ordering food or taxis, you need an IP from a specific city (e.g., London, not just the UK)
• Advertising campaigns: To check geotargeting at the city level, you need a proxy from that city
• Content with regional restrictions: Some services block access from data centers — you need residential proxies with IPs from home users

Step 4: Check the Quality of IP Addresses in the Region

Not all proxy providers have quality IPs in all countries. Before purchasing, make sure:

• The IP addresses belong to real internet providers in the country (check via WHOIS)
• The IPs are not on blacklists (especially important for App Store and Steam)
• The connection speed is sufficient for your tasks
• The provider offers the option to choose a specific city or region within the country

Which Type of Proxy to Use for Different Platforms

Choosing the type of proxy is critical for successful testing. Here is a recommendation table for different platforms:

Residential Proxies — A Universal Solution

For most local release testing tasks, residential proxies are optimal. They use IP addresses from real home users, so:

• They do not raise suspicion with platforms (they look like regular users)
• They do not get blacklisted
• They allow testing even with services that have advanced proxy protection
• They are available in most countries and cities around the world

Mobile Proxies — For Mobile Platforms

If you are testing mobile applications (iOS, Android), mobile proxies are the ideal choice. They use IPs from mobile operators (4G/5G), which most accurately simulates real smartphone users.

Advantages for testing:

• App Store and Google Play perceive such connections as completely legitimate
• You can test features available only on mobile networks
• High trust score with all platforms

Most Demanded Regions for Testing Releases

Based on the practice of developers and publishers, here is a list of the most popular regions for soft launches and testing:

Top 5 Countries for Soft Launch of Mobile Applications

1. Canada — an English-speaking country with a developed market but a smaller audience than the USA. Ideal for initial testing before launching in the USA.
2. Philippines — a large, English-speaking audience with a low cost of user acquisition. Popular for testing games and social applications.
3. Australia and New Zealand — English-speaking, developed markets with high purchasing power. Good for testing monetization.
4. Singapore — a technologically advanced audience with high ARPU. Often used for testing in the Asian region.
5. Netherlands — for the European market. An English-speaking audience with good purchasing power.

Top 5 Countries for Global Releases (Tier-1)

1. USA — the largest market with high purchasing power. Be sure to test proxies from different states (California, New York, Texas).
2. United Kingdom — the second largest English-speaking market with high ARPU.
3. Germany — the largest market in Europe with high demands for quality and data security.
4. Japan — one of the most profitable markets for games and applications, but requires careful localization.
5. South Korea — a technologically advanced audience with high competition, especially in games.

Emerging Markets with Great Potential

• India — a huge audience (1.4 billion people), a rapidly growing mobile app market
• Brazil — the largest market in Latin America, an active audience in social media and games
• Indonesia — 270 million population, a rapidly growing e-commerce and fintech market
• Mexico — proximity to the USA, Spanish-speaking audience, growing middle class
• Turkey — 85 million population, high activity in mobile games

Testing Process for Local Releases via Proxy

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly test a local release using a proxy:

Step 1: Prepare the Environment

1. Obtain a proxy from the required region from a reliable provider
2. Record the connection details: IP address, port, username, password
3. Choose a tool to work with the proxy (browser, emulator, VPN client)

Step 2: Setup for Testing Web Applications

For web applications and websites:

1. Configure the proxy in the browser (Chrome, Firefox) or use an extension (FoxyProxy, Proxy SwitchyOmega)
2. Clear cookies and browser cache
3. Change the browser language to the language of the target country
4. Set the region's time zone
5. Check the IP via a service like whoer.net or 2ip.ru — it should display the IP of the target country

Step 3: Setup for Testing Android Applications

For Android applications, use an emulator:

1. Install Android Studio or an emulator like BlueStacks/NoxPlayer
2. Configure the proxy in the emulator's Wi-Fi settings (Settings → Wi-Fi → Modify Network → Advanced → Proxy)
3. Create a Google account with the region of the target country or use an existing one
4. Log in to Google Play and check the app's availability

Step 4: Setup for Testing iOS Applications

Testing for iOS is more complicated:

1. Use a real iOS device (an emulator is not suitable for full testing)
2. Configure the proxy in Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → Configure Proxy → Manual
3. Create an Apple ID with the region of the target country (you will need an address and payment details from that country)
4. Log in to the App Store with the new account

Step 5: Conduct Testing

A checklist for testing:

• ✅ The app appears in the store search
• ✅ Description, screenshots, and icon are correct
• ✅ Price is displayed in the correct currency
• ✅ The installation process goes smoothly without errors
• ✅ The app launches and works stably
• ✅ Text localization is correct
• ✅ In-app purchases are available and work
• ✅ Push notifications arrive (if applicable)

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Proxy Region

Mistake 1: Using Free or Cheap Proxies

Free proxies are almost always on the blacklists of the App Store, Google Play, and other platforms. Testing results will be inaccurate — you may not see an app that is actually available or receive errors that real users do not encounter.

Solution: Use quality paid proxies from trusted providers. Saving on proxies can lead to wasted time and incorrect conclusions about the release.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Proxy Type

Using data center proxies for testing platforms that block them (Netflix, App Store) will lead to false results. You may conclude that content is unavailable in the region when the problem is only with the proxy type.

Solution: Choose the proxy type according to the recommendation table above. For critical platforms, use residential or mobile proxies.

Mistake 3: Mismatch Between Account Region and Proxy

If you use a US Apple ID with a German proxy, the App Store may block the account or not show content at all. The same applies to Steam and other platforms.

Solution: Create separate accounts for each region or use platforms that are not tied to the account region (for example, Google Play is more flexible in this regard).

Mistake 4: Testing Only from One City in the Country

In large countries (USA, Russia, Brazil), content availability and performance may vary depending on the region. Testing only from New York will not reveal issues that may exist in Texas or California.

Solution: Test from several major cities in the country, especially if you plan a mass release.

Mistake 5: Forgetting About Browser and System Settings

Even with the correct proxy, platforms can determine your real region by the browser language, time zone, WebRTC, and other parameters.

Solution: Use anti-detect browsers (Dolphin Anty, AdsPower, Multilogin) for complete digital fingerprint masking, or manually adjust all browser settings to the target region.

Tools for Working with Regional Proxies

Anti-Detect Browsers

For professional testing of local releases, it is recommended to use anti-detect browsers:

• Dolphin Anty — popular among arbitrageurs, user-friendly interface, supports bulk profile creation
• AdsPower — a good choice for testing advertising campaigns, built-in automation
• Multilogin — premium solution with the best protection against detection, expensive
• GoLogin — budget option with basic functionality

These browsers allow you to create profiles with unique digital fingerprints for each region, automatically adjusting language, time zone, WebRTC, and other parameters.

Emulators for Mobile Testing

• Android Studio — official Android emulator, maximum accuracy
• BlueStacks — fast and convenient, suitable for basic testing
• NoxPlayer — popular among game testers
• Genymotion — professional solution for developers

IP and Geolocation Checking Services

Before starting testing, always check that the proxy is working correctly:

• whoer.net — shows IP, geolocation, DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks
• 2ip.ru — simple IP and provider checking service
• ipleak.net — detailed data leak check
• browserleaks.com — comprehensive browser fingerprint check

Extensions for Managing Proxies in the Browser

• FoxyProxy — convenient switching between proxies, supports URL patterns
• Proxy SwitchyOmega — advanced proxy profile management
• SetupVPN — simple solution for quick region switching

Conclusion

Choosing the right proxy region is a critically important step in testing local releases. It allows you to see your product through the eyes of a real user from the target country, identify issues with availability, localization, and performance before the mass launch.

Key points to remember:

• Choose the proxy region based on the target market for the release and the platform's features
• Use the appropriate type of proxy: residential for most tasks, mobile for mobile platforms
• Do not skimp on proxy quality — free and cheap options will yield false results
• Test from multiple cities in large countries
• Adjust not only the proxy but also the browser/system to the target region
• Use professional tools (anti-detect browsers, emulators) for accurate testing

If you plan to test local releases in multiple countries, we recommend using residential proxies with the ability to choose specific cities and regions. They provide maximum testing reliability and work with all popular platforms — from the App Store to Steam and streaming services.

Wishing you successful releases and minimal bugs in production!