Life has put you in a place where changing your iPhone’s location has become a necessity.
Maybe you’re traveling abroad and need to access your usual streaming services. Or perhaps you’re concerned about privacy and don’t want apps tracking your real location.
Whatever the case may be, you have a few ways to make it happen.
Some are quick and simple, like using a VPN. Others require a bit more tinkering, like spoofing your GPS coordinates.
We’ll walk you through each method so you can pick what works best for your situation.
How iPhone Tracks Your Location
Your iPhone uses multiple sources of information to figure out where you are.
These include things like:
- GPS—iPhones have a chip that enables them to receive signals from different satellites and calculate your exact position.
- Cellular towers—Your device can scan nearby cell towers and track signal strength to estimate where you’re standing.
- Wi-Fi networks—It can detect Wi-Fi networks around you and match them to Apple’s database of known network locations.
- Bluetooth devices—Your iPhone detects nearby Bluetooth signals to help narrow down your position, especially indoors.
- IP address—Your iPhone can see your IP address and match it to your internet provider’s location data, helping it learn about your general city or region.
Additionally, the iOS software has a feature called “Significant Locations” that tracks the places you frequently visit. Although Apple says the tracking occurs locally on your device and everything is encrypted, you don’t want to take any chances when the matter involves anything related to your personal privacy.
Method 1: Use a VPN to Change Your iPhone Location
The simplest way to change your iPhone’s location virtually is to use a VPN. A VPN routes your data and web traffic through a remote server, making it seem like you’re connecting from that server’s location.
To set up a VPN on your iPhone:
- Download a VPN app like NordVPN for iPhone
- Launch the app and log in using your credentials (or sign up for a new account if you don’t have one)
- Follow the prompts on the screen to allow for configurations and alerts
- Tap the large “Quick Connect” button on the main screen to connect to the fastest VPN server
- To connect to a specific location, tap the map on the main screen and scroll through the list to find your desired country. When you do, tap it to establish the connection.
Once connected, a VPN icon will show up in your iPhone’s status bar, indicating that you’re using a virtual server.
Keep in mind that a VPN is meant to enhance your privacy and won’t modify the GPS signals that certain apps use to pinpoint your location. That’s why it’s best to use it alongside other methods for better anonymity.
Method 2: Change Your Apple ID Country or Region
For accessing apps and services available only in certain regions, the best method is to change the region or country associated with your Apple ID. Although this won’t alter the GPS signals sent by your iPhone’s chip, you’ll get access to a new App Store for downloading media and apps.
To change your Apple ID country or region on iPhone:
- Go to the Settings app
- Tap your name or email to access Apple ID Settings.
- Choose Media & Purchases > View Account
- Select Country/Region and then tap the region from where you want to access the App Store.
Note that some apps and subscriptions may become unavailable with this change. This could include the content you purchased using the Apple ID tied to your old region.
If you’re unable to change the region, check whether you have any active subscriptions. Certain services block users from changing their Apple ID region, and you’ll need to wait for these to expire before you can make the switch.
Method 3: Spoof GPS Location Using Third-Party Apps
Now let’s talk about the method that actually alters your iPhone’s GPS location: GPS spoofing.
GPS spoofing works by tricking the iPhone into using fake GPS signals. This is usually done via software where you connect the iPhone to a computer using a USB cable and then the software injects the fake GPS coordinates into the device.
Best GPS spoofing apps for iPhone:
- iAnyGo: iAnyGo is a reliable GPS spoofing app that works with a wide range of applications, including Pokémon GO, Life360, and social media apps.
- AnyTo: AnyTo is known for its ease of use and functionality that lets you switch to any location worldwide with just a tap.
GPS spoofing can also be implemented via hardware that attaches directly to your phone. Although this approach costs more as you need to buy separate equipment, it keeps things more discreet and is much harder for websites and apps to detect.
It’s worth mentioning that GPS spoofing may violate local laws depending on where you’re based. It may also violate an app’s terms of service and lead to account suspension or lifetime ban. Be sure to check such things before attempting this method with your iPhone.
Method 4: Turn Off or Limit Location Services
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one: just turn off location tracking entirely. Doing this requires a few taps and helps safeguard your privacy without relying on extra software. The tradeoff is that your IP address (and general region) will still be visible to websites and some apps.
To disable location services on your iPhone:
- Open Settings
- Tap Privacy & Security
- Tap Location Services
- Toggle the switch off and confirm by tapping Turn Off
Keep in mind that turning off location services also disables tracking features like Find My and AirTags. If you rely on these to track your luggage or share your location with family, this might not be ideal.
If you don’t want to switch off location services for every app, you can restrict which software can access your GPS:
- Open Settings and go to Privacy & Security
- Tap Location Services
- Scroll through the list and pick the app you want to manage
- Choose Never to block location entirely, or While Using the App to allow access only when you’re actively using it
Why Change Your iPhone Location? Key Benefits
Changing your iPhone’s location offers many advantages in terms of privacy and security. The main ones include:
Improves Online Privacy
In times when apps and websites constantly track your location, changing your device’s GPS can significantly improve your overall privacy. Masking your real location means data brokers won’t be able to build a profile around your daily habits. Your personal whereabouts stay confidential, giving you greater control over your digital anonymity.
Enhances Security
Cybercriminals can use techniques like iOS exploitation and spyware injection via apps to access your location data. They can then use that data to carry out harassment or identity theft. By changing your iPhone’s location via VPN encryption or other means, you protect your data that could be sold or used for illicit purposes.
Unlock Region-Specific Content
Many websites and services adjust their prices based on a user’s apparent geographic location. For example, airline websites often display different rates for the same journey to people in different locations. Changing your iPhone’s region can help you access these location-specific discounts and offers, increasing your savings over time.
Legal and Safety Considerations
Changing your iPhone’s location is generally legal, but it comes with a few safety risks and can potentially break the ToS (Terms of Service) of certain apps.
The main risks pertain to giving third-party apps system-level access to your device. Although GPS spoofing apps are generally safe, you can unknowingly run into a developer whose main aim is to install malware or steal critical data from your device.
You also need to be mindful of the terms and conditions set by apps like Pokémon GO. These apps explicitly prohibit users from spoofing their GPS. Detection in this case can lead to a temporary or permanent ban on your account.
But as long as you’re using legitimate software and not committing any fraud, it’s safe to change your iPhone’s location.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Can you manually change your location on iPhone without a VPN?+ Is it legal to change your iPhone location?
+ Will changing my Apple ID region affect my apps and subscriptions?