How to change your location on Facebook in 2023
Facebook. The all-conquering social media site is probably one of your most-used apps. As well as catching up on the news and sharing updates with friends, it is also a great place to buy goods via Facebook Marketplace, or meet someone via Facebook Dating.
But did you know your location on the app affects what you see and what you can do? What if you want to match with people in a different location or make a purchase outside of your local area?
The thing to do is change your IP address with the help of a VPN. But how exactly do you do it? Which VPN is best? What are the other benefits of using a VPN? The answers to all these questions and more can be found in this article, so without further ado, let’s look at how to change your location on Facebook in 2023.
How to change location on Facebook ?
- Choose a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN, now 63% OFF!
- Download and install the VPN on your device
- Once you’re all signed up, launch the VPN app
- Now, connect to a new server in a new location
- Log in to Facebook, and voila! Your location will now have changed
Why do you need a VPN for Facebook?
Using a VPN with Facebook is useful for several reasons. First of all, it’s an easy way to change your location. You may be used to being able to access Facebook from anywhere and everywhere, but it’s restricted and outright banned in many locations. So if you’re traveling to or living somewhere like Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, North Korea, or Russia you won’t be able to access the site. Unless, of course, you use a VPN to hide your IP address and evade any geo-restrictions that might be in place.
Even if you’re in a location that freely allows you to use Facebook, your office or school might have blocks in place to stop you from accessing it. Again, this can be easily solved with a VPN masking your IP address and getting around any content blocks.
If you’re using Facebook Marketplace (it’s a great place to buy all sorts of items), changing your location will show you products and deals outside of your local area.
It’s also handy for increasing your matches on Facebook Dating. This part of Facebook’s service uses your location to show you potential matches, but maybe you want to look outside of your local area to find the one? Perhaps you want to date someone in a completely different country? With a VPN set up, you can set your location to pretty much anywhere in the world, opening yourself up to millions of potential dates.
Recommended VPNs to change location on Facebook
So now that you’ve got an idea of how useful a VPN can be when you’re using Facebook, which VPN should you go for? Well, there are plenty of VPNs out there, some great, some not. With so much choice, it can be hard to make a decision, that’s why we’ve done extensive testing and narrowed it down to a top-three shortlist.
- NordVPN – best all-round VPN for changing locations on Facebook
- Surfshark – light-fast VPN for Facebook
- IPVanish - great VPN for multiple devices
If you wish to find out more recommendations or learn more about VPNs for Facebook, check our list of the best VPNs for Facebook.
How does Facebook detect your location?
Whenever you log into Facebook, it knows where you are in the world. This is because it tracks your location through several methods:
- Your IP address. When you visit Facebook’s website or use its app, the site will detect your IP address and note where you are in the world. It will always be able to use this method to see where you are unless you use a VPN.
- Location settings. For this method, Facebook will use your smartphone or tablet’s Wi-Fi, GPS, or network settings to track your location. You may be able to turn this off, but with a VPN set up, you don't have to.
- Your activity. When you’re using Facebook you might check in to a venue or tag yourself and friends in a specific location on a photo. Facebook will use this information to find out exactly where you are.
In an age where privacy is of high value, it’s disconcerting to think that an app is tracking your whereabouts. Facebook also uses your location to send you targeted ads which can be quite annoying. And if you have any third-party apps active on your Facebook, they can also use your location data.
All in all, there’s no need for all these apps and services to know where you are, so we advise getting a good VPN, hiding your IP address, and not having to worry about a website following you around.
Why would you spoof your Facebook location?
There are many reasons why you might want to change your location on Facebook, including:
- You’re in a location that restricts access to Facebook. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia and China, restrict or ban access to Facebook. If you’re traveling or live in one of these locations, you can bypass blocks with a VPN. A VPN will hide your IP address and online activity, leaving you free to access any website you want, including Facebook.
- Facebook has banned its services in your country. In cases where the country that you live in starts political conflicts or war, Facebook restrict its platform for the aggressor location to stop spreading fake news. If you are a resident of Russia, a VPN will help you to change your IP address and continue using Facebook.
- Personal privacy. Maybe you just don’t want Facebook knowing your true location - and that’s a valid issue. Anonymity and privacy are important things to consider. Why should Facebook and third-party apps know where you are all the time? With a spoofed location, you don’t have to feel like your privacy is being breached.
- Accessing different services. Different Facebook services can open up if you change your location. You might be able to join certain groups or events, find different products on Facebook Marketplace, or meet single people from interesting new locations on Facebook Dating.
These are just some of the benefits of using a VPN to change your location on Facebook.
How to change your Facebook location on different devices
We all have a selection of different devices we use daily and might want to access Facebook with - computer, smartphone, tablet. Here’s how to change your Facebook location on all the major devices.
Android
Whether you’re using a Huawei smartphone or a Samsung tablet, changing your Facebook location on an Android device is as easy as 1,2,3,4.
- Pick a top-rated VPN from our shortlist - NordVPN is the best all-rounder
- Download the VPN app from the Google Play store
- Install and launch your chosen VPN on your device
- Connect to a server in the new location of your choice, log into Facebook and you’re all done!
iOS
Changing your Facebook location on an Apple iPhone or iPad is just as easy as it is with Android devices. Check out these quick steps and you’ll be all set in a flash.
- Select a VPN, try NordVPN as it is very reliable.
- Head to the Apple App Store and download the VPN to your iPhone or iPad
- Open the VPN app and connect to a new server
- Go to your Facebook app, and you’ll have a new location!
PC or Laptop
Want to change your Facebook location when you're on a laptop or PC? Just follow these quick instructions, and you’ll be ready to roll.
- Choose one of our top three VPNs - we’ve rated NordVPN as the best
- Visit the VPN website on your computer and download the app
- Install it on your laptop or PC, launch it, and change your server location
- Sign in to Facebook, and your location will have changed
How to change your location on Facebook Marketplace
Want to see different deals and products to buy on Facebook Marketplace? Change your location in a few moments to find all sorts of new items.
- Sign up for NordVPN
- Install it onto your chosen device
- Launch the VPN and switch locations by connecting to a new server
- Log into Facebook Marketplace and see a whole new selection of products
How to change your location on Facebook Dating
Bored of matching with local people on Facebook Dating? Swap your location with a VPN and find a world of new people to connect with.
- Download a trusted VPN
- Sign up for a plan and install it on your device
- Connect to a server in a location where you want to meet someone
- Open Facebook Dating and say hello to some new faces!
Is it legal to change your location on Facebook?
You’re not breaking any laws by changing your location on Facebook using a VPN. Even in countries where VPN use is restricted, changing your location on Facebook is legal.
There are also alternative methods such as GPS spoofing apps and proxy servers. If you want to install a GPS spoofing app on your iPhone, you might have to jailbreak it first, and that opens you up to a host of potential problems. There have also been reports of Facebook banning accounts that have been found to use GPS spoofers.
A proxy server is another option, but people using these have reported spammy ads, malware attacks, and browsing habits being tracked. None of this falls in line with the security and privacy you should be looking for.
The most secure and easiest method is simply to get a VPN.
Can’t change your location on Facebook with a VPN?
If you’re using a VPN and find that you’re not able to change your Facebook location, as even the best apps sometimes run into tech problems, there are a few troubleshooting tips you can try.
- Connect to a new server in a different location
- Switch to a different browser
- Clear your cookies and cache
- Reach out to your VPN’s support team
If none of these work, it might be time to get a new VPN. Try one of the three in our top recommended list, and remember, all the best VPNs tend to have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try a few to see if they work without making a financial commitment.
Change Facebook location with free VPN
Even the best VPNs can cost from as little as $3 a month. But if you don’t want to pay anything at all, you have some options. First of all, you can just try out a few different VPNs by taking advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantees.
Alternatively, you could go for a free VPN. Most free VPNs are best avoided - they’re riddled with ads, have poor service, sell on your data, and in some cases, even infect you with malware. However, there are a few free VPNs that offer a decent level of service. Atlas VPN and ProtonVPN are decent options, and Windscribe has a generous free version.
Changing your Facebook location - the final status update
While you may have thought changing your location on Facebook would be a hassle, now you can see that it’s quite easy. You can access new services, use the app in countries where it is not usually available, hide your online activity from your ISP, access geo-blocked content, and more - all with the use of a VPN.
Using a VPN is easy. You can get connected in just a few simple steps, and along with helping you get a new location on Facebook, they’re really useful for general security and privacy. Take your pick from our shortlist and get started.
Thinking about changing your location with a VPN? Let us know how you got on in the comments section below.
More VPN guides from CyberNews:
How to change location on TikTok
How to change location on Tinder
How to change location on Snapchat
How to bypass Youtube TV location restrictions
How to change location on Instagram
How to change location on Hinge
FAQ
Can you use VPN to change your location on Facebook?
Yes, you can use a VPN on Facebook. All you need to do is install a VPN on your device, we recommend NordVPN and then you’ll be able to change your location via connecting to a new server. Then all you need to do is log into Facebook, and you’ll have a new location in place.
Does using VPN stop Facebook from tracking you?
No, Facebook can still track you if you are using a VPN. However, since you can change your location, Facebook won’t be tracking your genuine movements, so you’re staying anonymous and private by tricking Facebook.
Can you hide your IP address from Facebook with a VPN?
Yes, you can use a VPN to hide your IP address from Facebook. With a VPN on your device, you can connect to a new server in a different location, and Facebook will see that when you log into its site.
How does a VPN work on Facebook?
A VPN can change your IP address to a new location. Then, when you visit any website, including Facebook, that site will see this IP address instead of your true location. You can then bypass content blocks, geo-restrictions, and access services meant for specific regions.
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