It sounds like a pretty complicated task to change your location in the digital world right? Well, it’s not. You can easily change your location with a VPN.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows the user to pretend to be home while enjoying a vacation abroad.
As browsing with your original IP Address on the internet is dangerous. You can be tracked, traced, or even be a target of a malware attack, a VPN makes sure you avoid all these and maintain your online privacy.
But how does a VPN change your location to hide your location online? For that, you need to understand VPNs and how they work.
So to tell you how VPNs work, it simply creates a secure pathway between the user and the VPN server. Now every activity of the user is carried out through this pathway, eliminating the risk of exposing his/her online identity on the web. Not even the internet service provider or government bodies will be able to see the user’s online traffic.
Moreover, a VPN hides your real IP address and assigns you a new IP address in a matter of seconds. IP addresses are a sequence of numbers from which the devices are identified on the internet. In short, it’s your Digital Address.
This is why VPN services have gained global popularity in the last decade. As the risk of your data being in the open is minimized by it.
So keep on reading to know the necessary steps you can follow to make the most out of your VPN subscription.
Short on Time? Here’s a Short Summary of How to Change Location with a VPN.
- To change your IP location with a VPN, you have to get a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN or Surfshark VPN.
- Enroll yourself in a plan (The average monthly plan can cost you $10 a month).
- Download and install the VPN app or software on your PC or Laptop. Launch the app. Click on Connect or choose a VPN location of your preference.
How to Change Location with a VPN?
To change your online location with a VPN is simple.
First, you have to download the VPN on your computer, or if you’re using a phone, VPN mobile apps are also available in their respective stores.
Once downloaded, install the app and launch it. You can connect to the default server already set up by the app, or you can simply choose a country and connect to that server just how the picture below indicates.
What is meant by Geo-Spoofing?
Geo-Spoofing is the process of changing your original GPS location to a fake one. If your original location is Thailand, by geo-spoofing you can fake your IP Address location and appear to be sitting in the US.
It can be done by various techniques, number one is to use a VPN. Which on connecting, it simply assigns you a different IP address of some other region by shielding your real IP address.
You can also geo-spoof your location with other tools like Tor or Proxy services but VPN is the most effective. Geo-Spoofing is mostly done to access the geo-restricted content on the web or to protect privacy.
How to Change Location with a VPN on Your Device?
If your device is a desktop PC or laptop, you can get the VPN client from the website. But if you have a mobile device, then the VPN apps are available for iOS and Android on their stores.
Now follow these steps.
- Get a VPN plan first. (Monthly plans are $10 on average and VPN providers offer a discount on long-term plans).
- Download the software or app on your device.
- Install the VPN app.
- Launch it.
- Enter the credentials (username and password) which were provided to you by the VPN provider.
- You can either use “Quick-Connect” to connect to the default VPN server location or you can select a region from the list of server locations. (shown in the picture above)
These steps are performed on a macOS with ExpressVPN as the VPN provider. But you’ll be able to configure the same settings on any device and operating system just by following these steps.
Nonetheless, if your device doesn’t support VPN apps, you can set up a VPN server on your router to cover all the devices.
How to Change Location with a VPN On Google Chrome?
You can easily fake your physical location on Google Chrome Browser. Follow the steps below.
- Click on the ellipses button (or three dots) on the right top side of your Google Chrome Browser.
- Go to Settings.
- Under the Advanced tab, go to Privacy and Settings.
- You will find Site Settings, click on that.
- Under the Permissions section, click on Location.
- You will find a Toggle Button to block or unblock your location.
- Block your location.
- Follow the steps guided earlier to change GPS location with a VPN and you’re good to go!
5 Reasons to Change Your Location with a VPN.
Once you know how to change VPN location, your online identity is secure. But the VPN does more than just change your location. Here’s how you can make the most out of your VPN subscription.
Unlock International Libraries of Streaming Services
By enabling your VPN, you can unlock international libraries of streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, or BBC IPlayer. Streaming services have different libraries according to the geological areas. They offer limited content to some regions.
If you want access to a maximum number of Netflix movies and TV shows, just use a VPN on Netflix and connect to a region that offers a large number of Netflix titles.
Bypass Censorship
With the help of a VPN, you can bypass government restrictions.
Suppose you are in a different country and you want to access a website of your resident country. But you can’t access that website as your country has strict policies for abroad visitors.
You just have to change your virtual location by connecting to a VPN, set the location as your home country, and easily access the website which you were not able to access a minute ago.
Beat Price Discrimination
E-Commerce websites design their pricing scales according to different regions. A product in one region might be cheaper in another region.
To get your products a little less cheap than the original rate, you can use a VPN to trick online stores by changing your virtual location. You just have to do a little research by comparing the prices of your product to different regions and save some money.
Access Sports Events
Do you have a favorite team or a favorite sport? But you can’t access the events arranged for it just because you are in the wrong country? VPN can make it possible. By changing your location to some other country, you can easily access the content you want. The events, the matches, or the awards shows.
Go Camouflage
Your ISP, government bodies, or marketing agencies won’t be able to track your traffic when you’re using a VPN.
With this, you can surf the internet while being under the radar avoiding aggressive marketing, unwanted advertisements, and making sure your privacy is not compromised.
Is it Illegal if I Change My Location with a VPN?
Changing or Masking your IP online with a different one is legal in most countries. It depends on which country you’re living in.
Countries like North Korea, China, or Belarus have strict policies for VPN services and hence they are banned.
Nonetheless, carrying out something illegal by changing your location remains illegal even if you do it with a VPN or without a VPN.
What Alternatives Do I Have to Change My Location Other than VPN?
There are other tools available from which you can change your GPS location by masking your IP Address. The most efficient tool to change your IP Address is a VPN to secure your online activity in an efficient way. The other ways from which you can change your location are,
Proxy
Proxies are another way you can hide your IP Address and change your location to pretend to be in another country.
But the thing which proxy lacks is the encryption of the traffic. A proxy service doesn’t offer security or any protection to your internet connection. It can only act as a middleman to connect your device to the source which you want.
Nevertheless, if you’re only looking the change your IP Address with no traffic encryption, you can go for a proxy.
Tor Browser
The Tor Browser allows you to change your location and surf the internet anonymously. When you browse to some location, the traffic initiated is sent to servers located all over the world hence, changing your IP Address.
Tor Browser is not considered a good tool when it comes to downloading or streaming, as it takes ages for Tor Browser to stream or download content from the internet.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Is it possible to track a VPN?
Is it illegal to use a VPN to change my location?
Why is VPN not changing my location?
Is it possible that Google still tracks you with a VPN on?
Are free VPNs okay to use?
Do VPNs offer a free trial period?
Do VPNs log user data?
Conclusion
Whether it is secure browsing, streaming, bypassing censorship, or accessing geo-restricted content on the web, the answer to all is one, you just have to know how to change your location with a VPN.
VPNs are gaining worldwide popularity for their vast use in different industries. It is up to you to choose the best VPN service available. A good VPN should have all the qualities required which can fulfill the reasons for which you’re getting a VPN in the first place!