How to change google search region?

Unlike many people, I actually tested my reply before posting it. It worked perfectly for me, using iOS6, switching between UK, France and a few other countries I tried. So, basically I am right dairyb0y. Why its not working for you, is another matter.

I learned from Apple store staff here in Amsterdam and a little internet search it is a 'hard coded' feature in iPhones and iPads sold in China. Can only be rectified by jailbreaking your iPhone. This problem ONLY exists when buying a i-product in China.

What my problem is, is that I fail to see why Apple should settle with the Chinese government about that government's wishes to control their citizens, and extend those same restrictions to faithful buyers from other nations. Apple should be able to provide me (and all the others that bought their stuff in China) a solution to this problem. If my iPhone had not been stolen in China, I would not have had the need to buy a new one there, it didn't make any difference financially and it was not made clear to me by Apple in China at the time of purchase that I was buying a less versatile product then that advertised superduper new iPhone 5 64Gb. I feel I have been cheated by Apple. Given my dedication to their products that doesn't feel right.

A civilized solution from Apple will be greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure why people can;t read the whole thread... It is NOT a hard coded problem. The problem did NOT exist with IOS 5.... It started with IOS 6.... It is a programming change by Apple, most likely on purpose...

I have the same problem; with iphone 5 iOS 6.0.2 here. google.cn or yahoo.cn bing.cn and is the default search provider...

The OS needs to be deleted an a generic iOS should be installed but the restoration still installs the chineese regional settings.

Please I need a fix for this issue ..

The iOS update that was released in the Nethelands today solves the problem. I guess this update will be rolled out worldwide as we speak. So everyone should update and all will be hunkydory. That is, I guess, if you update from outside of China! I'm pretty sure updating iOS from the Chinese servers will not change this setting.

Oh bugger. Well, the other route I did was call Apple, explain the problem. They ask you to do the full reinstall thing 'n all, all to no avail. Then they suggested to make an appointment at an Apple Store at their Genius bar. I did and got a brand new iPhone in exchange for my Chinese one. Very few questions asked. This was last month. (iPhone 5 64Gb) Today my boyfriend's iPhone 4s 16Gb updated and the problem disappeared. Hence my earlier post just now.

So the civilized solution I asked for was granted. :-)

I can confirm for a Chinese iPhone 5 that iOS 6.1 upgrade from iTunes indeed solves this hard coded google.cn search provider problem of Safari. if it does not solve at first, close Safari, go to Settings -> international, change to UK or US(or any) then back to your country, Open Safari and search sth. in Search box, if not Go to safari settings and clear everything, and try the above steps again.. Wroked for me...

By the way; the problem still exists for Bing and Yahoo providers; only Google searches other than google.cn; based on the international setting. This is enough for me; I think even Apple thinks that no one will notice Bing or Yahoo bug 🙂

After seeing all your happy stories I decided to give another try, and guess what safari now direct my search to google.ca.

Still don't understand why this did not happen right after the update.

Anyway enjoy Google everyone!

We have the same question... You can temporarily change to Bing. It is quite weird, for we are now in US, and it will even link to google.com.hk if I change the language to English(US)...

I have the same problem under iOS 6. Waiting for an answer...

got same issue after upgrading to iOS6, waiting for an answer as well

same issues here with both ipad2s.

Same here... Would love a solution....

I have this problem too. Wish I hadn't gone to iOS 6 yet.