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How to change your location on Android in 2021

22 October 2021

Many Android users turn to GPS changing apps to edit the location of their device. Sadly, lots of GPS spoofing tools are ineffective at changing your IP address and lack basic features to keep you safe online. As a result, you could find yourself banned from certain applications - or even at risk of a security breach.

A VPN is the most effective and safest way of changing your location and hiding your real IP address on your Android. Not only will a VPN unblock geo-restricted content, but it will also keep your online activity anonymous and your device safe. A VPN will also block ads, encrypt your data, and allow you to access remote work while traveling.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to some robust VPN options that will work well with your Android. We’ll also show you exactly how to change the GPS location on your Android device, starting with a simple step-by-step guide.

Change the GPS location on your Android device: a short guide

To change the GPS location on your Android device, simply follow these steps:

Download a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
Install the VPN on your device.
Launch the VPN application and login.
Connect to a server in a location of your choice.

Visit NordVPN

Why do you need a VPN for Android?

There are many reasons why you may need a VPN for your Android device. A VPN enables you to connect your device to a secure location over the internet, keeps your data secure, and can hide your online activity.

Many of the apps and websites that you may wish to access on your device are subject to geo-restrictions. When you connect your Android to a VPN, you can change your IP address by connecting to servers around the world. This will help you bypass restrictions and give you access to region-specific content.

Of course, not any old VPN is up to the task. You need to choose a robust VPN provider that works well with Android. We’ll run through some reliable options in the next section.

VPN connected to New York - United States

Best VPNs for Android

There are lots of VPN providers on the market to choose from. To help you narrow them down, we’ve put together a list of our three favorite VPN options for Android.

If you would like to read more about the best VPNs for Android, check out our article here.

NordVPN

Based in:	Panama
Servers/countries:	5,500+ servers in 59 countries
Unblocks Netflix:	Yes
Current deal:	Get NordVPN, now 72% OFF + 3 Months FREE!

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is our top pick. This VPN provider is a reliable option for anyone looking to change the location on an Android device. It is the largest of all the major VPN providers, and it has a huge amount of servers around the world - meaning you will never struggle to change your IP address and unlock content.

NordVPN is popular because it has a large variety of advanced features that will keep you safe while browsing online. Not only is it one of the fastest options available, it also has great customer support and will let you log in to up to six devices simultaneously. You can also try the service out for size before committing, as there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark

Based in:	British Virgin Islands
Servers/countries:	3,200+ servers in 65 countries
Unblocks Netflix:	Yes
Current deal:	Get Surfshark, now 81% OFF!

Visit Surfshark

Easy on the wallet, Surfshark is a worthy contender in this shortlist. Promising great value for money, Surfshark comes with all the features you need to safely and effectively change your location on your Android device.

The service is fast, and you can enjoy unlimited connections with one subscription. This means you can change your location and enjoy VPN benefits on multiple devices. With over 3000 servers in 60 countries, Surfshark is ready to grant access to content around the world. It also comes with a host of advanced security features, so your device and data will be protected at all times.

IPVanish

Based in:	US
Servers/countries:	1,600+ servers in 52 countries
Unblocks Netflix:	Yes
Current deal:	Save 65% OFF the IPVanish 1-year plan!

Visit IPVanish

Last but certainly not least, IPVanish is a robust and popular VPN provider. This service is perfect for changing the location on your Android device, as it has servers all around the world. It also enables you to connect all of your devices at once, which is great if you have many devices that you’d like to protect.

Alongside a 30-day money-back guarantee, IPVanish has fast streaming speeds and a wide range of security benefits to keep your data and activity private. There is also 24/7 customer support on hand for any queries you may have.

Why would you fake your Android GPS location?

There are multiple reasons why you may wish to fake your Android GPS location. Perhaps you want to change your location on a dating app or play a location-based game like Pokemon GO. Instead of physically traveling to new places, you can trick your phone into thinking you’re already there. Other reasons include:

Hiding your real location

Many apps request access to your location. For security reasons, you may wish to hide your true location. Alternatively, you may be unable to access certain features on said apps unless you appear to be in a specific location.

Accessing better deals

Perhaps there is a website or app that has a special promotion for users based in the US. If you’re based in Italy and wish to access these deals, you can fake your Android GPS location and make it appear as though you are also in the US. This way, you will be eligible for the deals!

Bypassing geo-blocks

Apps like Netflix and Pokemon GO are subject to location-specific restrictions. By faking your Android GPS location, you can bypass these geo-blocks and unlock content around the world.

Accessing remote work while traveling

On holiday but need to access your work? You may find that you can’t get into your accounts when traveling because of location-based restrictions. Faking your Android GPS location and tricking your device into thinking you are back home could be the way to get around this issue.

How to change your IP address on your Android device

The process for changing your IP address on your Android device is quite simple when using a VPN. Whether you have a Samsung, Huawei, or another model, you can follow these steps to change your IP address on your Android device:

Download a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
Install the VPN on your Android device.
Open up the application and connect to a server in another country.
Your IP address will now be changed!

Override GPS location option on Android VPN settings

Is it legal to change your IP address on your Android?

It’s totally legal to change your IP address on your Android device. If anything, changing your IP address with a VPN is recommended in order to maintain privacy.

Alongside VPNs, there are alternative ways to change your IP address. These include options like GPS spoofing apps or proxies. However, a VPN is a much more reliable and secure choice - as the alternatives lack the all-important security elements that come as standard with a VPN and are not as robust.

Can’t seem to change the location on your Android with a VPN?

There are a few explanations as to why you are unable to change the location on your Android with a VPN. Fortunately, for every possible problem - we have a solution. Read on to find out more:

Potential reasons why you can’t change your location:

Your real IP address is leaking
The GPS location on your device doesn’t match your IP address
Cookies on your browser are revealing your true location
The VPN you are using can’t bypass the restrictions you are trying to overcome

When faced with these problems, you can try the following solutions:

Change your VPN provider
Enable the leak protection settings on your VPN
Contact customer support for your VPN
Try a different browser

Spoof your Android GPS location with a free VPN

There are a variety of free VPN providers on the market. You may well be tempted to use one of these to spoof your Android GPS location for free. However, we advise against this.

The majority of free VPN providers are unable to bypass basic geo-restrictions. Free services tend to fund their costs with targeted ads or through the sale of your data. They are also known for being super slow.

Another way to spoof your Android GPS location for free is to use a freemium. This is a free version of a paid VPN. Free plans are usually quite limited in their offerings and lack the basic security features that you need to keep your data and device safe. If we had to recommend a freemium service, however, we’d suggest Atlas VPN or ProtonVPN - which both come without data caps.

How to change your location on Android: our final thoughts

From bypassing geo-blocks on games and apps to hiding your real location for security reasons or accessing remote work while abroad - changing your Android location can serve many functions.

The safest and most effective method for changing your Android location is by using a reputable VPN. Alongside changing your location, a VPN keeps your data and your device safe. Most reputable VPN providers come with a host of security benefits that will protect your identity whilst changing your IP address. We believe that the most reliable VPN option on the market today is NordVPN.

Have you tried to change your location on your Android device with a VPN? We’d love to hear how you got on. Please leave a comment in the section below!

FAQ

How can I fake my location on Android?

To fake your location on your Android, you can download a VPN and connect to a server in a different location. This will change your IP address and fake your location.

How do I hide my location on an Android device?

Once you’ve installed a VPN on your Android device, you can use it to override your GPS location - effectively hiding your true location.

How do I know if a VPN is working on my Android device?

Most Android devices will display a little symbol in the status bar when connected to a VPN. You can also test if it is working by trying to access content that is geo-blocked in your real location.

What is the best VPN for Android?

We believe that NordVPN is the most reliable VPN to use on Android. However, we also highly rated Surfshark and IPVanish. You can find out more about each of these providers earlier in the article.