How to Change VPN Location on Mobile Devices, Computer, Browser Extensions

Mantas Tamošaitis

Mantas Tamošaitis

August 3, 2025

How to Change VPN Location on Mobile Devices, Computer, Browser Extensions

Why should you change your VPN location, how to know if the location is changed?


A VPN location is the virtual place where websites think you are when you're using a VPN. A VPN, or virtual private network, hides your real IP address and gives you a new one from a VPN server. This makes it look like you're browsing the internet from a different place.

So, how to change VPN location? Just open your VPN app, go to the locations tab or server list, pick a new location like Singapore or Los Angeles, and connect. That’s how to change VPN.

How Do I Change My VPN Location?

how to chanve vpn location on any device

how to chanve vpn location on any device

Changing your VPN location depends on the device you're using. Here's how to do it on phones, computers, and more.

Mobile Devices

iPhone

  1. Open your VPN app.
  2. Tap the locations tab or servers.
  3. Choose a location, like California VPN or Germany VPN.
  4. Tap connect.

To disconnect, go to your iPhone settings, find VPN under the general settings, and toggle it off. That’s how to turn off VPN on an IPhone.

Android Device

  1. Launch your VPN app.
  2. Open the server location list.
  3. Pick a new region like Georgia VPN or Singapore VPN.
  4. Tap to connect.

Make sure your location access is off if you want to hide your real location completely.

Computer (Windows and Mac)

  1. Open your VPN software.
  2. Click on the drop down menu to find VPN server locations.
  3. Choose a city or country, like frankfurt VPN or atlanta VPN.
  4. Click connect.

You can also add favorites for easy access to your preferred location next time.

Browser Extensions

If you're using a browser VPN extension:

  1. Click on the extension icon in your browser.
  2. Open the location list.
  3. Pick a new location
  4. Click connect.

This will only change your IP address location in the browser, not your whole internet connection.

Other Methods to Change Your Location

There are more ways to change your location besides using a VPN to change location.

Proxy Servers

Proxies also hide your IP but don’t encrypt your data like VPNs. They can be used to change your virtual location, but they’re less safe.

Tor Browser

Tor hides your IP address by bouncing it through several servers. It’s very private but slower and not good for streaming services.

GPS Spoofing Apps

These apps let you fake your GPS location on mobile devices. They only work on your phone’s location services and don’t change your actual IP.

Change Apple ID Region or Google Account

To get apps only available in other regions, change your apple id region or Google account settings. You might need a new payment method to match the new country.

why people want to change vpn location

why people want to change vpn location

Why Should I Change My Online Location and IP Address?

There are many reasons to change your location.

Access Content From Different Countries

Some websites, apps, or shows only work in certain regions. Using a VPN for instagram or VPN for tiktok lets you access apps that might be blocked in your country.

You can also use a VPN to watch shows from other countries on Netflix or other streaming services. This is one reason why people learn how to use VPN to change location.

Keep Your Online Activity Private

When you use a VPN, it hides your real IP address from websites, advertisers, and even your internet service provider. This keeps your data traffic safe and your browsing private

Get Better Prices

Some websites show different prices based on your location. If you know how to change your VPN to a different country, you might find cheaper flights, games, or software.

Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi

If you’re using Wi-Fi at school, a café, or the airport, your data can be tracked. A VPN connection encrypts your traffic and protects your information.

Test Websites or Ads in Other Places

Web developers and advertisers use VPNs to test how websites or ads look in different countries. This helps them understand how content appears in different locations.

Is It Legal and Safe to Change Locations?

In most countries, it’s totally legal to use a VPN that changes location. But in places like China or Iran, using a VPN might be restricted.

VPNs are safe if you use a trusted one. But be careful with free VPN apps, they might sell your data or not work well. So it's better to pick a good VPN app to stay protected.

Does Using a VPN Actually Change My IP Address and Location?

Yes. When you use a VPN, it changes your IP address to the VPN server's IP address. That’s how you appear to be in a new place.

So, does VPN change IP address? Yes.
And does VPN change your location? Yes, your online location changes to the VPN server’s location.

For example, connecting to a Los Angeles VPN will make websites think you are in Los Angeles, not your real location.

Can I Change My Actual GPS Location on Mobile?

Yes, but not with a VPN alone. VPNs only hide your IP location. If you want to fake your gps data, you need location spoofing apps.

On Android, you can use developer options to select a mock location app. On iPhones, it’s more tricky. You might need to connect your iPhone to a computer using a usb cable to simulate a new gps location.

These apps can fake your general location for games or dating apps, but they don’t hide your IP address

Can I Switch Locations Frequently or Automatically?

Yes. Most VPNs let you switch locations anytime you want. Some VPN apps also allow automatic switching based on certain tasks or conditions. For example, you might be able to set it up so that the VPN changes your location when you open a certain app. Some VPNs have a smart server feature that picks the fastest or most stable connection for you. Others let you rotate between different locations, like switching from a germany VPN to a california VPN depending on what you’re doing. This makes it very easy to change your location often without much effort.

Are Free VPNs Safe for Changing Locations?

Some free VPNs are safe, but many of them are not reliable. They might limit your data traffic or slow down your connection. Some free VPNs only offer a few server locations, which means you won’t have many choices. Others may show you ads or even track your activity to make money. If you care about privacy and want more control, it’s better to choose the best VPN to change location from a trusted company. Paid VPNs usually have stronger security, more server choices and better speed.

how to check if your location changed and vpn is working

how to check if your location changed and vpn is working

How Do I Know If My Location Changed?

Here’s how to check:

  1. Go to whatismyIP.com.
  2. See if your new IP address location matches your chosen server.
  3. Make sure your actual location isn’t showing.

Also try checking weather apps or maps to see if your phone is showing the new location.

What Else Can Change My IP/Location?

If you don’t want to use a VPN, there are other options.

  • Proxies change your location but don’t encrypt your data.
  • Tor hides your real IP but is slow.
  • Smart DNS helps with streaming but doesn’t hide your IP.
  • GPS spoofer changes your phone’s location services.
  • Switching Wi-Fi networks gives you a new IP from your internet service provider.

But only a VPN changes both your location and encrypts your data.

How Do I Change My IP With A VPN?

Here’s how:

  1. Open your VPN app.
  2. Choose a different location from the server list.
  3. Connect.

Now you’ll get a new IP from that VPN server. You can choose a new region like Georgia VPN or Singapore VPN to get a completely new digital location.

This is how you can control your online location and hide your actual location.

When VPNs Don’t Work

Sometimes you connect to a VPN but your location doesn’t change or certain websites still show your real location. If you’re wondering why is my VPN not connecting or working properly, here are a few things to check.

vpn doesnt work - quick checklist

vpn doesnt work - quick checklist

Make sure your internet is stable. A weak or no Wi-Fi connection can stop the VPN from working. Try restarting your VPN app, this usually fixes simple connection issues. If one server isn’t working, try a different server location, your current one might be too slow or blocked. For example, if your California VPN is not working, try a Los Angeles VPN instead.

Also check if your gps location or IPhone location is turned on. Some apps can read your gps data so even if your IP changes, they might still know your actual location. Turning off precise location or location access in your settings can help hide your actual whereabouts.

If you’re using a free VPN, it might not be reliable. You might need to manually create VPN configurations or upgrade to a paid VPN account for better performance.

Conclusion

Learning how to change VPN location helps you unlock more of the internet, stay private, and stay safe. Whether you want to browse from a different location, use a VPN for tiktok, or just stay anonymous, now you know exactly how to do it.

So now you know how to change VPN, how to use VPN to change location, and even when VPNs don’t work. Whether you're looking to change your location for privacy, streaming, or fun, you’re ready to go.

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Mantas Tamošaitis

Mantas Tamošaitis

Hey, It's Mantas, author of this blog post. Mantas is a content creator at ExplorerVPN, where he writes blog articles and that make complex topics feel approachable. With a sharp eye for structure and a curiosity for how people search and read online, he helps turn ideas into content that’s both useful and engaging. Drawing from real-world research and privacy trends, Mantas creates content that helps readers make informed choices in the digital world.