How To Change Your Location On iPhone
These days, smartphones perform the tasks of a computer, media player, camera, GPS, and even more devices. But, no matter how great your phone is, there are just times when your location can hinder you from having the best online experience.
Your current location is needed for such a smart device to provide precise weather forecasts, news, the precise location on a map, assistance in locating a lost mobile phone, and for the use of many other apps.
So how exactly do you change your location on an iPhone?
Luckily, thanks to the great VPNs on the market, it’s not as hard as most people think.
Easily Change Your Location With A VPN
Having access to your exact location allows online trackers to follow your every move. Location-based services like geo-blocking, which imposes content restrictions on websites, apps, and streaming services, can also be used to restrict your online experience.
Luckily, the quickest and simplest way to change your location on an iPhone is through a VPN. It routes all your web traffic through a remote server and masks your IP address.
The following is a step-by-step on how you can change your iPhone location with a VPN. We’ve used ExpressVPN as an example here since we think it’s one of the best, but if you’re looking for alternatives – check our guide on the best VPNs for iPhone.
Step 1: Download a VPN app from the App Store
In order to use a VPN on an iPhone, install a trustworthy iOS VPN from the Apple App Store, where the best privacy and security iPhone apps are available. Avoid using apps that haven’t gone through Apple’s approval process because they might cause compatibility problems or even pose a threat from malware.
Make sure your VPN also offers a variety of server choices so you can effectively use location spoofing. For example, ExpressVPN offers 160 server locations across 94 countries, as well as a VPN kill switch, Threat Manager, Split Tunneling, and more.
Step 2: Create an account on the app and sign in
After installing the app, you can configure your VPN by creating an account and logging in. This not only aids in authentication but also enables you to sync your VPN preferences and settings across other devices while using the app.
Step 3: Allow permission to create VPN configurations
To enable its own end-to-end encryption protocols and change the configurations on your iPhone, the VPN app needs permission. Tap “Allow” when iOS requests your consent to create new VPN configurations.
Step 4: Select the country you want to connect to
Even while traveling abroad, you can access your favorite content by connecting to a server location of your choice. You can explore region-specific content in various nations, unblock websites, and access the internet freely and openly. This is the safest and simplest way to mask your location on an iPhone.
However, while this sounds nice and all, it’s also important to take note that doing so can violate the terms of service of your content provider or the laws of the country you’re in. There are some countries such as Turkey and UAE that strictly prohibit the use of VPNs and doing so can get you arrested.
With that said, make sure to look at the server options available before selecting a VPN service. We suggest you go with one that offers a variety of exclusive servers in the US, UK, and all the best VPN server locations around the world.
Step 5: Connect to establish a VPN connection
After choosing a VPN server, you can finally connect to your VPN. This will redirect all of your internet traffic through the server of your choice, hiding your real IP address and geographic location and making it seem as though you are at the VPN server location.
Now, your connection will be fully encrypted, hiding your web traffic and data from advertisers, your ISP, the government, and anyone else attempting to track you.
What’s great is you can even use your VPN on cellular data, which essentially enables you to use it anywhere and anytime you want (as long as you have reception, of course).
Why You May Want To Switch Locations
Have you ever experienced not being able to access specific content and certain apps? Or maybe you’re receiving news and ads that’s not relevant to where you are. These can all be pretty annoying and may be why you’d consider changing your iPhone’s location.
Here are 5 common reasons why people switch up their virtual addresses:
- Security reasons
VPNs are primarily used for online security. Hackers will likely be discouraged when your real IP address and virtual location are hidden. What’s more, VPNs also encrypt all internet traffic to and from your devices, which is useful when connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. - Bypass restrictions
When changing your location with a VPN, you can get around geographical restrictions on the internet that organizations and websites impose. For instance, you can use VPNs to access websites like Facebook or Google while visiting China. VPNs can also be used to access websites that are blocking your IP address due to geographical limitations, such as when you need to access your online bank account from another country. - Access content
Changing your location with a VPN will work if you’ve ever wanted to watch shows from Netflix libraries other than the US library. Additionally, if you find yourself abroad and longing for your favorite binge-worthy shows, it works the other way around too. - Access cheaper deals
Geographic pricing, or pricing that varies prices based on where you are, is a common practice online. You can shop around for the best prices on travel, lodging, and other purchases by spoofing your location. - Working remotely
You can connect securely to business networks, avoid prying eyes from watching your online activity and work securely from anywhere by pretending to be somewhere else online.
How To Check If Your VPN Works
Testing is the only way to make sure your VPN works. Here’s how:
- Before logging into a VPN connection, write down your IP address.
- Connect to your selected VPN server.
- Open your browser and go to an IP test website such as WhatIsMyIPAddress to check your IP address.
- If it doesn’t show a new IP address from the one you listed, it means your VPN didn’t work.
- Otherwise, your VPN works and now you can browse safely from your selected region!
Some Limitations Of VPNs
While using a VPN is the easiest and most dependable way to change your iPhone’s location, it’s not always reliable. VPNs have some limitations and the following are some scenarios where your VPN won’t work:
- Using GPS-dependent applications and services
Apps such as Waze and Find my iPhone rely on your GPS. What this means is it cannot be deceived by VPNs because they use IP addresses to determine your location. - Installing apps that aren’t available where you live
Just like Netflix, there are apps from the App Store that are only accessible in certain countries. These apps won’t let you download them, even if you use a VPN to change your location.
Unblock Censored Content Worldwide While Maintaining Your Privacy
It’s useful and occasionally necessary to know how to change your location on an iPhone. Not only will you bypass geo-blocking so you can watch your favorite shows, but you can also hide and encrypt your data, which is especially useful if you want to protect your real location from hackers and other potential spies.
Now you know how to change your location, all you need is a great VPN to go along with it.
