How to Change Your VPN Location (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Whether or not you wish to change the placement of your digital non-public community for privateness, safety or geolocation points, you are able to do so simply utilizing a VPN service. Let’s dive straight into the fundamentals and the step-by-step guides for computer systems, macOS, Home windows, Android and iPhone that can assist you change the placement of your VPN.

Can I alter location with no VPN?

The principle query many customers have is whether or not they want a VPN service to alter their location. The reply is Sure.

In concept, superior customers and companies can change the placement of a VPN manually, however this requires having one other community obtainable to them with a distinct location. Home windows, macOS, Android and iPhone don’t permit direct VPN location adjustments with out community info, nor do they provide built-in VPN options. These working techniques deal with offering safe connections to pre-configured VPNs.

SEE: Find out how to Use a VPN: 4 Simple Steps to Get Began (TechRepublic)

Find out how to change the VPN location in your pc?

To vary the VPN location in your pc, you may observe comparatively simple steps. These will differ barely relying on the working system of your system.

Change VPN location on macOS and Home windows

Let’s break down the steps to alter the VPN location for macOS and Home windows customers. Whereas these two working techniques don’t often share the identical step-by-step guides, on the subject of VPN, the method of fixing the placement for each OS is an identical.

Observe these simple steps to alter the VPN location on Home windows or Mac:

1. Obtain VPN: When you’ve got no VPN service, begin by downloading a trusted (free or paid) VPN service. Common VPNs embody Surfshark, NordVPN, PrivadoVPN, TunnelBear, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN and others. Ensure that the app is on the market within the Apple Retailer.
2. Set up and open the app: Observe the set up directions and launch the VPN app.
3. Check in (if required): Some free or paid VPNs would possibly require you to check in together with your account credentials.
4. Select a location: The VPN app ought to show a listing of accessible server places. Choose your required location. (Free VPNs may need limitations on location decisions in comparison with paid plans.)
5. Connect with VPN: Click on the “Join” button or comparable choice throughout the app.
6. As soon as your connection is established, your location and your IP will change (Determine A).
7. To vary your VPN location and IP once more, merely join to a different nation in your VPN app.

Determine A

Be aware: Free VPN suppliers have a tendency to supply free places on each continent, with full lists of places unlocked with paid subscriptions.

One other easy methodology to alter the placement of the VPN is to make use of the Tor browser — a secure privacy-focused browser that permits customers to alter places, bypass guardrails and conceal their IP addresses.

SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Proper for You? (TechRepublic)

Change VPN location on Chrome, Safari, Firefox and others

Because of the lack of built-in instruments, net browsers can solely change the VPN location utilizing a dependable VPN app. To vary the placement of your browser, observe the steps listed above. The steps described above can even apply to Chrome, Safari, Firefox and different browsers.

Do not forget that altering the VPN on an internet browser will have an effect on your default geolocation, and whereas this may occasionally open up content material restricted by international locations, it would additionally have an effect on your net expertise. For instance, in case you select to alter your location to Japan, your browser would possibly return net searches, and show content material in Japanese language.

Be aware that going to chrome://settings/content material/location is not going to change your IP or VPN location, as this function was created to dam or permit web sites from requesting your location, relying in your desire (Determine B).

Determine B

Builders’ instruments, like these discovered within the Chrome Builders panel, can’t be used to alter VPN or IP places. These instruments are solely meant for builders to check their merchandise in several areas however don’t change an IP deal with or a VPN location.

Find out how to change the VPN location in your iPhone and Android?

Neither iPhone (iOS) or Android units present built-in VPN options. Equally, as we talked about with computer systems, to alter the VPN location in your iPhone or Android system, customers might want to obtain a trusted VPN service and set up it on the cellphone.

To vary the VPN location in your iPhone or Android, observe these steps:

1. Obtain a VPN app hosted within the Apple Retailer or Android Play Retailer
2. Launch the VPN app.
3. Create an account and check in (Determine C).

Determine C

1. Select a location. The app ought to show a listing of accessible server places. These places are often proven on a worldwide map, listed by nation, metropolis and even particular server names. Choose your required location (Determine D).

Determine D

1. Click on on Join or Fast Join.
2. The VPN app will immediate a Connection Request, click on OK or Permit (Determine E).

Determine E

1. The app will show a connection standing as soon as it’s efficiently related to the VPN server (Determine F).

Determine F

Be aware that free VPNs usually have limitations on obtainable places in comparison with paid subscriptions.

For this step-by-step information we used Norton Safe VPN, however the steps are precisely the identical (or very comparable) if you’re utilizing one other in style VPN app.

These steps work on Android and iOS units.

SEE: The 7 Finest iPhone VPNs (Beneficial for 2024) (TechRepublic)

Challenges and advantages: Why change your VPN location

Altering the VPN location brings each advantages and issues. It’s essential to stability these out. Many of the challenges related to VPNs are related to their efficiency, which tends to be slower than regular, particularly on smartphones and cell units. Nonetheless, this efficiency will differ relying on what VPN suppliers you’re utilizing.

Alternatively, utilizing VPNs has quite a few advantages. With VPNs, customers can:

• Bypass geo-restrictions: Entry content material which may be blocked in your area, like streaming providers or web sites.
• Enhanced privateness: Masks your IP deal with and site, making it tougher for web sites and trackers to observe your on-line exercise.
• Improved safety: Encrypt your web site visitors on public Wi-Fi networks, defending your knowledge from prying eyes.
• Potential price financial savings: Entry offers or subscriptions with higher pricing relying on the digital location.

Challenges linked to VPNs embody:

• Slower speeds: Connection speeds is likely to be slower when routing site visitors by way of a distant VPN server.
• Restricted server decisions: Free VPNs usually have limitations on server places in comparison with paid subscriptions.
• Unreliable connections: Some free or low-quality VPNs may need unreliable connections that drop continuously.
• Logging practices: Be cautious of VPN providers that log your exercise, probably compromising your privateness.
• Authorized restrictions: Utilizing a VPN would possibly violate phrases of service for sure web sites or providers. Test the legalities in your area.

SEE: 5 Finest VPNs for Android in 2024 (TechRepublic)

Are VPNs authorized?

The reply to this query shouldn’t be fully black and white, however moderately sits in a grey space. For instance, utilizing a VPN in some international locations could also be authorized, however VPNs could violate the phrases of providers of a web site. Quite a few customers wish to use VPNs to masks their location and stream on-line content material on websites like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Nonetheless, not solely will most VPNs not work for this operation, however the usage of VPNs could result in the termination of your account.

Moreover, utilizing a VPN whereas doing unlawful actions can also be punishable by regulation, this contains downloading copyrighted content material or partaking in hacking whereas utilizing a VPN.

Are VPNs authorized in all international locations?

Typically, utilizing a VPN to encrypt your web site visitors and shield your privateness is authorized in most international locations, together with the USA, Canada and most of Europe. Nonetheless, different international locations have restrictions or outright bans on VPN use. These international locations usually have broader censorship or restrictions on web entry. Examples embody China, Russia and Belarus. And even in international locations the place VPNs are authorized, there is likely to be particular rules on utilizing them.

SEE: Brute Pressure and Dictionary Assaults: A Information for IT Leaders (TechRepublic Premium)

It’s essential to test native legal guidelines, select a good VPN supplier that provides a transparent no-logs coverage to make sure your privateness is protected, and know the exceptions to the rule.

Conclusion

This information explores easy methods to change your VPN location on numerous units and browsers. It additionally mentioned the advantages and challenges related to utilizing a VPN. Bear in mind, utilizing a VPN can improve your privateness and safety on-line, but it surely’s essential to decide on a good service and concentrate on potential authorized implications.

FAQ

1. Can I alter my VPN location with no VPN service?

No, you can’t change your VPN location with no devoted VPN app or software program. Neither macOS, Home windows, Android or iOS present built-in VPN options. Alternatively, you should use a privacy-focused net browser like Tor Browser.

2. How do I alter the VPN location on my pc?

Obtain a trusted VPN app, set up it, select a desired location from the app’s server listing, and join.

3. How do I alter the VPN location on my iPhone or Android?

Much like computer systems, obtain a VPN app from the app retailer, launch it, check in (if required), select a location and join.

4. Are VPNs authorized?

Typically, utilizing a VPN is authorized in most international locations. Nonetheless, some international locations have restrictions, and utilizing a VPN for unlawful actions is at all times unlawful. Moreover, VPNs would possibly violate the phrases of providers of various websites, reminiscent of streaming platforms.

5. Will altering my VPN location have an effect on my looking expertise?

Sure, it would. As an example, search outcomes and web sites might be displayed within the language of your chosen location.