How to Change VPN Location: Useful Ways & Best Alternative

Wondering how to change VPN location? Whether you want to access content from another country or protect your digital privacy, changing your virtual location is a powerful tool. The good news is that it's surprisingly easy to do.

This guide will cover the top three methods to use VPN for location change on different devices, how to verify it's working, and some common questions on it. Read it on.

Part 1. Can VPN Change Your Location on Android/iPhone?

Yes, a VPN can change your location on any device, including Android and iPhone. But there's a small catch - it changes your virtual location, not your physical GPS coordinates.

🌟 If you need to change your actual GPS location (not just your IP address), jump to Part 4 for a quick solution!

What is a VPN and How It Works

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet.

It works by masking your IP address and routing your traffic with a VPN server from a different location. So, when you're connected to a VPN server in, say, the UK, websites will think you're browsing from there - even if you're halfway across the world.

This has several benefits:

• Your IP address is hidden and replaced with the VPN server's IP
• Websites and apps think you're in the server's location
• Your online activity becomes much harder to track

When Should You Use VPN to Change Location

Here are some common situations where using a VPN for location change can come in handy:

• Access geo-restricted content: Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer often show different content depending on your location. A VPN helps you unlock it.
• Bypass censorship: When traveling to or living in countries with internet restrictions, using a VPN can bypass internet restrictions.
• Enhance privacy: Keep advertisers, websites, and even government agencies from tracking your online behavior.
• Improve connection speed: Sometimes, switching to a less congested server in a nearby country can boost your speed.
• Avoid price discrimination: Some sites display different prices for the same items based on your location (like PokéCoins in Pokémon GO). Change your VPN location and compare!

Part 2. How to Change VPN Location [Top 3 Ways]

In this part, we'll introduce 3 ways to change VPN location effectively, each suited for different needs.

Way 1. Use a VPN App to Change VPN Location

This is the most popular and beginner-friendly method, which is ideal for changing VPN location on smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Here's how to use VPN to change location:

Step 1: Choose a VPN provider. Many reliable VPN providers, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, offer apps for multiple devices. You'll need to select one and sign up for a subscription.
Step 2: Download and install the VPN app. Once you've chosen your provider, download the VPN app on your device (whether it's your computer, smartphone, or tablet).
Step 3: Launch the VPN app and select a server. Open the VPN app and log in using your account details. Most VPN apps will show a list of available server locations. Simply choose the country or city you want to appear as browsing from.
Step 4: Connect to the VPN. After selecting your desired location, click the "Connect" button. Your device is now connected to the VPN server, and your IP address will reflect the server's location.

Way 2. Change VPN Location on a Router

Looking for whole-home coverage? Setting up a VPN on your Wi-Fi router means every device on your network - smart TVs, gaming consoles, even IoT gadgets - will use the VPN automatically. This method is more technical and complicated to set up, but great for families or households with many connected devices.

Here's how to change VPN location on Router:

Step 1: Choose a VPN service that supports router setup. Not all VPN services work with routers, so choose one that does (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN).
Step 2: Access your router's settings. Open your router's control panel by entering its IP address in your web browser's address bar. This is often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
Step 3: Configure the VPN settings. Log in to your router's admin panel, go to the VPN section, and enter the configuration details provided by your VPN provider.
Step 4: Connect to a VPN server. Select the location you want to connect to and apply the changes. Now, you can use VPN to change location on all devices.

Way 3. Use a Browser Extension to Change VPN Location

If you only want to change your location while browsing region-specific news, shopping sites, or streaming, a browser-based VPN extension is the fastest and simplest choice.

Here's how to change VPN location on browser extension:

Step 1: Install a VPN browser extension. Choose a VPN provider that offers a browser extension (e.g., ExpressVPN or TunnelBear).
Step 2: Select a location. Once the extension is installed, click on it and choose the country or city you want to browse from.
Step 3: Connect and browse. After selecting a server, the browser extension will mask your IP address, but keep in mind that this only applies to traffic within your browser, not system-wide.

Part 3. How to Verify Your Location Has Actually Changed with VPN

Don't just trust the app's "Connected" status. let's double-check your location change worked.

Here's how to verify after you use VPN to change location:

Step 1. Open a new browser tab.
Step 2. Visit a reliable IP checker website like whatismyipaddress.com or ipleak.net.
Step 3. Check your IP location. The website will display your public IP address and its detected location. If it matches the server you selected in your VPN, congrats! Your location has successfully changed.

Troubleshooting: Fixes for Typical VPN Not Changing Location Problems

Even when everything seems set up correctly after you've learned how to change VPN location, you might run into issues where websites or apps still detect your real location. Don't worry - here are some common VPN problems and how to fix them quickly.

⭕ Problem 1. The Streaming Service is Still Blocked

You've connected to a VPN server in another country, but Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer still won't let you in.

Why? This is typically because major streaming platforms like Netflix actively detect and block known VPN IP addresses. They're pretty good at it.

To fix it, disconnect from the current server and reconnect to a different server in the same country. Most VPNs have many servers per country. Switching to a new one often gets you a fresh, unblocked IP.

⭕ Problem 2. A Website Still Knows My Real Location

You've verified that your IP has changed, but a website still shows the old location or currency - especially on shopping or booking sites?

What's happening? The site may be using cached data from your browser, not just your IP. That includes cookies and stored location info.

To fix this issue, clear your browser's cache and cookies. Besides, it's suggested to reload the website or open it in incognito/private mode. This forces the website to rely on your new IP address for location - and it usually solves the issue instantly. Some sites also use your browser's language settings - switching that can help, too.

⭕ Problem 3. Your Phone Still Shows the Real City

You've connected your mobile VPN, but a weather app or map still shows your exact city. What gives?

This is because VPNs only hide your IP address. Many apps also use GPS data, which reveals your physical location.

In this case, you can try to disable location services for your browser or the specific app first:

• On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
• On Android: Settings > Location

Alternatively, use a GPS location changer app designed to spoof your phone's actual coordinates.

Part 4. Bonus: Alternative to VPN for Location Change [More Accurate]

While a VPN is the best tool for changing your IP-based location, it won't fool apps that rely on your device's GPS - like SnapChat, Life360, or Pokémon GO. If you want to change your real-time GPS location, you'll need something more precise, like TunesKit Location Changer.

It is a multifunctional and effective location changing program that allows you to change device location to exact coordinates in one simple click. With location changing features including two-spot movement, multi-spots movement, jump teleport, and joystick movement, you can easily change device location without encountering any hassle.

You can follow the below steps to learn how to use TunesKit Location Changer to change device location on iOS/Android without using VPN.

Step 1Connect Device to Computer

Download and install TunesKit Location Changer and connect your device to the computer. When your device is connected, TunesKit Location Changer will ask you to put your device into Developer mode. Then, select a location changing mode (Game Mode or General Mode) on your needs.

Step 2Modify GPS Location on Android/iPhone

In this phase, you can start to change the device location. Just set the Start point and End point on the map, and click on the Start Modifying or Start Moving button to change the location on your device.

Part 5. FAQs on VPN Change Location

Part 6. Conclusion

Once you know how to change VPN location, you can effectively access restricted content, enhance your privacy, and circumvent geo-blocking. Whether you're using a dedicated VPN app, a router setup, or a browser extension, the steps to change your location are straightforward. Just make sure to choose a reputable VPN provider, as this ensures both your security and speed remain optimal while browsing.

If you just want to change the GPS location on your device, you can download and try using TunesKit Location Changer to modify and change VPN location in one simple click.