How To Change Location on Android Easily and Safely

You can change the location on your Android phone by altering your settings, changing app permissions, using a virtual private network (VPN), or spoofing your GPS location with Surfshark.

There are multiple benefits to changing the current location on your Android device. Using a VPN to obtain a new IP address can enhance your privacy, safeguard your data, and provide access to regional content on streaming services.

The best option depends on your needs, so let's dive into how to change your location on Android with each of these strategies.

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1. Use a VPN

Depending on your needs, there are several ways to safely change your location on Android. A virtual private network is your best option if you still want to maintain the full functionality of all your apps and create an encrypted tunnel to protect your online activities.

VPN providers can help mask your actual location, making your Android device appear to be in a different state, city, or country. It does this by connecting to servers in different regions of the world. Additionally, you can use your VPN to change your location on other apps and even unlock regional content streaming services. 

Our top recommendations for the best VPNs for Android are NordVPN and Surfshark.

Follow these steps to use a VPN with Android:

1. Select a VPN app from the Google Play Store. 

2. Once you select a VPN service, tap Install to download the app.

3. Follow the app's prompts to set up the VPN on Android.

4. Select a server in your desired new location and click Connect. 

Once connected, your VPN hides your IP address and uses the server to which you are connected instead. You can also access advanced features, like the Android kill switch to cut your internet should you lose your VPN connection.

2. Use a GPS spoofer like Surfshark GPS Override

You may have also heard about GPS spoofing to change location on Android, especially since it became popular among certain crowds of Pokémon GO players.

The best GPS spoofer comes with Surfshark, called GPS override. Similar to how a VPN can change your IP address, the GPS override will change your GPS location, helping you bypass both location indicators.

There are other apps that could technically work, but we're wary of recommending them due to security risks. GPS spoofing apps are often misleading and cause issues. For example, while the Fake GPS location app claims it can deceive your GPS into thinking you're in a different geographical location, the fine print is somewhat concerning. Additionally, if you uninstall the app, it could lock your GPS location to the last fake location. To fix it, you'll need to download another app, which could take a couple of days to repair.

3. Turn location settings on and off

Besides a VPN, your Android also contains settings to turn location on and off. This is a great option if you're looking to block all apps and settings from using your location data. Here are the instructions to view if your location is enabled on an Android 12 and up:

1. Swipe down from the top of your phone to view Quick Settings.

2. Touch the Location button to turn it on or off. (It's active if it's blue and gray when turned off.)

3. You'll see a warning about the consequences of turning off the location. Select Close to accept or Turn on Location to deny.

If you don't see the Location icon in Quick Settings, consider adding it for easier access. Here are the instructions for adding Location to Quick Settings:

1. Swipe down from the top of your phone to view Quick Settings.

2. Select the three vertical lines in the upper right corner.

3. Tap the Edit buttons.

4. Move the Location button to the bottom half of the screen to add it to Quick Settings.

5. Choose Done to confirm.

While it does give you an extra layer of privacy from apps, turning off location on your Android can have some undesirable outcomes. Here are some features that won't work with location off:

• Apps that use location
• Find My Device to recover a lost phone
• Emergency alerts, including earthquakes
• Location history
• Auto time zone change

4. Limit which apps use your location

Sometimes, you may want something more personalized than simply turning off your device location or using a VPN to disguise your location.

One option is to alter an individual app's permissions to block them from using your Android's location. Here's how to adjust these settings:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap Apps.

3. Select the app you want to change.

4. Choose Permissions to display what the app has permission to use on your Android.

5. To change the location permission setting, select Location and choose what permission is acceptable to you.

How location works on your Android

Android’s location services control how the operating system uses your location data. Location can be crucial for app functionality, Google Maps, and other phone settings.

Location services cover:

• Earthquake alerts
• Emergency Location Service
• Google Location Accuracy
• Google Location History
• Google Location Sharing

You may want to turn off location data for privacy reasons and stop Android from tracking your location, but this may cause several issues:

• One significant risk is not being able to use the Find My Device to locate a lost Android. If the location is turned off, the service will not be able to find your phone.
• There are also other potential problems like location-based apps not functioning properly. This is a particular issue for maps or other navigational apps.

If privacy is your main concern, you may have better results with a reliable VPN. This won't affect any app's ability to function properly, but it will block third parties from tracking your data. A VPN can hide your geographical location and mask your IP address to ensure privacy.

How to adjust location accuracy

Having location turned on is useful for app functionality and other phone settings. But you'll need location accuracy to ensure you get the best results.

You can improve accuracy by turning on these settings under Location services:

• Wi-Fi scanning: Uses Wi-Fi for location detection even if the Wi-Fi is turned off
• Bluetooth scanning: Lets apps use Bluetooth for location detection even if Bluetooth is turned off

In addition, Google Location Accuracy lets your Android use multiple sources to determine location. Your phone uses GPS, Wi-Fi networks, mobile networks, and sensors in this setting to pinpoint your Android's location. Without it, your Android may struggle to quickly and correctly determine your location.

Here is how to turn on Google Location Accuracy on your Android:

1. Swipe down from the top of your phone to view Quick Settings.

2. Touch and hold down the Location button until a new menu opens.

3. Select Location services.

4. Tap Google Location Accuracy.

5. Toggle the Improve Location Accuracy on or off.

FAQs

Bottom line

If you want to hide your geographical location, use a VPN to appear in a different region and conceal your IP address. VPNs are a reliable way to change your location and provide an extra layer of security for your data.

Understanding how to change your Android device location can help you gain control of your privacy without compromising security. If you don't want Android apps to access your location, you can easily change this setting in the permissions or settings.