If you’re here, you might have looked up “VPN change location,” and you’re right to do so – it’s one of the main VPN (Virtual Private Network) benefits, after all. It can help with privacy, securing yourself on public Wi-Fi, getting around firewall restrictions, dodging censorship, and so on. But it’s not the only way to change where your traffic is coming from.
In this article, we will look at how to change your VPN location (the most reliable option) as well as changing your country with the Tor browser and a proxy.
How to change your country with a VPN
The most effective way to change your location is to download a VPN such as Surfshark to your device and follow these steps:
Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN service.
Can’t get started without an account! Find the VPN service with the best-suited plan for you and open their order page.
Step 2: Download and install the VPN app.
All you need to do is figure out which device you want to protect first. Not sure which devices you can cover? Our download page has the full list, and you can connect multiple devices simultaneously.
Step 3: Log in to the app.
Just open the VPN app after you’ve installed it and log in to start using your subscription.
Step 4: Click Connect.
You got there! Your location has been changed, you’ve been given a new IP address, and your data is protected. And if the server you get with Quick Connect doesn’t suit your needs, you can change the location yourself.
How do I change the VPN to a specific country?
The method above will connect you to a random location, but if you want to choose the country, you’ll need a few additional steps:
Step 1: Log in to the app.
Step 2: Go to the locations tab.
A good VPN offers plenty of servers to choose from, and Surfshark is no exception. The only question left is which server you should try next.
Step 3: Find the location (VPN server) you want.
You don’t wanna scroll through every location, we get it. Use the search bar at the top of the locations to look for the one you want.
Step 4: Click on the location to connect to it.
It’s as simple as that! And in the rare event that your device doesn’t support the app, you can set it up manually or use a VPN router instead.
How do I know if my VPN location has changed?
It’s a good idea to check your VPN location so that you know that your VPN is working as intended. An easy way to do this is to use an IP address detection tool.
If you’re connected to a VPN, and your IP is still showing as your actual location, then the VPN service is not secure and not working properly. If this is the case, you’ll need to switch to a better provider.
How does a VPN change my location?
When you use the internet, your IP address reveals your physical location. Meanwhile, a VPN hides your IP location. Here’s how:
- A VPN allows you to pick a different virtual location and get a new IP address for websites to see.
For example, if you live in Germany and connect to Australia, any website you visit will instead see an IP address from Australia. This makes websites think that the requests they get are coming from Australia.
- A VPN encrypts your data by creating a tunnel and running your data through it.
Imagine it like this: you have a secret Santa gift to give to friend A. You hand it to friend B to deliver it, so friend A doesn’t know it’s from you. Friend A loves the gift and hands friend B a thank you note to give to the secret Santa. This way, both the gift and the thank you note get delivered, but friend A never finds out anything about you.
With a VPN, anybody monitoring your traffic will see the IP address of the VPN server and its location rather than your actual whereabouts.
Some services may use your DNS address or WebRTC data to get your location data, but a good VPN takes care of that as well.
How to change your location with the Tor Browser
Changing your location with the Tor Browser is quite easy as all you really need to do is run the browser.
Step 1: Download and install the Tor Browser.
Step 2: Launch it and click Connect.
Step 3: You’re done!
Quick, right? Unfortunately, it does come with a few downsides. For example, picking a specific location is no longer as easy as running the browser and requires you to rummage through the settings. Also, it only covers itself, meaning that any other apps or searches that do not go through Tor are using your original IP and location. And the one thing you probably already know – the Tor Browser is slow. So, it’s a situational option at best.
How to change your location with a proxy
The precise steps for setting up a proxy will differ depending on your system. I’ll provide the basic steps below, but you might want to check the specifications for your devices yourself.
Step 1: Open your device’s proxy settings.
Step 2: Enter the address of your proxy servers and the port number.
Step 3: Save the changes.
That’s it – your location and IP address are changed! Yep, it’s pretty straightforward. Still, proxy servers do not offer encryption, and although your location will be hidden, your data will not benefit from extra security. At the end of the day, it’s your choice which method you choose to change your location. Just make sure you change it and, if you’re wondering why you need to at all, let me explain.
Why change my online location?
There are a lot of good reasons to change your real IP address. Some of the most common are:
Staying private
Your IP address acts as your internet ID wherever you go. This way, websites, and third parties track you and your activity around the web even when you’re not logged into an account. Using a VPN can stop them from doing just that.
Getting around restrictions
A lot of countries and institutions have firewall restrictions to stop you from accessing the internet freely (often social media platforms). Changing your location with a VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions and surf the web with total freedom.
In closing: Get the VPN that will always keep your location hidden
Whether you want to protect your privacy or get around restrictive firewalls, the best option is to change your real IP address and location using a VPN. On that note, Surfshark provides an easy-to-use, safe, and cost-effective option, helping you change your IP location within just a couple of minutes.
FAQ
How do I change my VPN location for free?
By getting a free VPN. But you shouldn’t!
Free VPNs might change your IP location, but they do not have the resources to protect you from DNS leaks. Or they might sell your data to monetize their service. They also often lack the ability to keep up the security of their service, when that is why you would want to change your IP address in the first place.
Is it illegal to change your location with a VPN?
No, unless you live in a country where VPN use is illegal in general. Still, keep in mind that although it’s not illegal, it might be against the Terms and Conditions of the services you use.
Surfshark does not encourage using a VPN in any way that would potentially violate the Terms of Service of other service providers.
How to change your location with a VPN?
To change your location with a VPN, you should:
Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN service (premium VPNs like Surfshark are better than free ones);
Step 2: Download and install the VPN app on your platform of choice;
Step 3: Log in to the app with your username and password;
Step 4: Click Connect.
That’s it!
