Tim Mocan
Updated on: December 20, 2023
Only 3 Steps (Quick & Easy) to Change Your Location on Android in 2024:
- Step 1: Download and install a VPN. Find a good VPN, get a subscription, and then download its app from the Play Store. I personally recommend ExpressVPN, as it’s the best VPN for changing your Android location.
- Step 2: Open the VPN app. Next, scroll through the list of available servers and connect to your desired location. Or just use the quick-connect tool if you want the fastest speeds.
- Step 3: That’s it! Once you’re connected to the VPN server, your Android location will change to match the location of said server.
There are many ways to change your Android location, but most of them are risky. If you pick the wrong method, not only will your location remain the same — but it might even be compromised if it’s shared with the wrong third parties or malicious actors!
I’ll show you the safest, easiest, and quickest way to do that — long story short, it’s by using a VPN. This is an online app that changes your location by sending your traffic through an encrypted server. I outlined the best VPNs for changing your Android location in this article, but my favorite one is ExpressVPN.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for changing your Android location in 2024:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for changing Android location in 2024.
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Privacy-focused VPN for changing location on Android.
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Great for changing Android location with a huge server network.
- 4. NordVPN — Good for masking Android location and for high-end security.
- 5. Surfshark — Good for masking your IP address and GPS data.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs for Changing Android Location in 2024.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Changing Android Location in 2024
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is my #1 pick for changing my location on Android in 2024 — it has a really large server network, comes with a very user-friendly Android app, has excellent streaming support, and is super secure.
The provider has a large server network, with locations in 105 countries. So, you get excellent variety when it comes to finding a location. Not to mention it’s also very easy to use a nearby location to get the fastest speeds — in fact, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market at the moment.
What’s more, I also love the provider’s Android app since it’s super intuitive. It only takes around 4 seconds to find and connect to your desired server, and I’m really happy that all features and settings come with quick, helpful explanations (so you never feel lost while using the VPN app).
You also get industry-leading security and privacy for changing your Android location. The provider has protection against all types of leaks (IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC) — I actually ran leak tests on servers in 20+ countries, and I never experienced any issues.
What’s more, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and proven true in a server seizure. Plus, the VPN also has other advanced security features, like RAM-only servers to ensure all data is wiped with each server reset, and perfect forward secrecy to change the encryption key for each VPN connection.
ExpressVPN also works with 100+ streaming services, and it’s actually the best VPN for streaming out there. It’s compatible with top services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, and it also works with other platforms, such as CBC, RaiPlay, and 7Plus.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $6.67 / month, so it’s pretty affordable. Considering the value you get, I’d definitely say the price is worth it. Plus, the provider also backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for changing your Android location on the market — it provides access to servers in 105 countries, it comes with industry-leading security and privacy features, it never leaked my data in my tests, and it works with 100+ streaming services. Also, its Android app is really user-friendly, and the provider backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Privacy-Focused VPN for Changing Android Location
Private Internet Access (PIA) has an intuitive Android app and high-end privacy features. The provider comes with a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and also proven true in court documents. What’s more, its Android app (and all of its other apps) is open-source, which means anyone can inspect the code for security issues to make sure the app doesn’t leak your location.
Plus, PIA also provides access to very strong security features. Like ExpressVPN, it too comes with RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. Also, it has full leak protection — and it never leaked my location when I ran leak tests while connected to servers in 15+ countries.
I also really like the provider’s Android app — the design is very beginner-friendly, and I really like how simple it is to manually find and connect to different servers to change your location. In addition, the VPN allows unlimited connections, making it a great pick for large families.
PIA also provides access to servers in 91 countries, which are evenly spread across North and South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. So it’s really easy to use nearby locations if you need fast speeds.
The provider also has good streaming support, as it works with 30+ streaming platforms, including top ones like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. Still, I like ExpressVPN more for streaming, as it works with 100+ streaming services.
Private Internet Access is really affordable, with prices starting at $2.11 / month. In addition, it also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for all of its plans.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is great for privacy and changing your Android location. It comes with servers in 91 countries, and it always correctly assigns the right IP address. Plus, it has high-end privacy features, such as an audited no-logs policy and open-source apps. Its Android app is also intuitive, the VPN allows unlimited connections, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Great for Masking Android Location With Huge Server Network
CyberGhost is great for changing your Android location, as it has a huge server network, with locations in 100 countries — so you get tons of variety, and you also have a good way to minimize the speed loss by only using nearby locations.
On top of that, the VPN also comes with a great Android app. Its interface is very simple to navigate, and there’s a quick-connect tool if you want to instantly change your location by connecting to the fastest server. Also, you can automate VPN connections on Wi-Fi networks — for example, you can set CyberGhost VPN to automatically connect to a server and change your location when you use an unknown network.
CyberGhost VPN is also really secure, as it comes with advanced features, such as RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. It also has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited, and it protects your real location from leaks via IPv6 and DNS leak protection. It’s missing WebRTC leak protection (like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access have), but I didn’t experience such leaks in my tests.
CyberGhost VPN’s prices start as low as $2.03 / month, so it’s really affordable. It also backs all long-term plans with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee — for its shortest plan, it has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN has one of the biggest server networks out there, so it’s easy to find a nearby server for the fastest possible speeds, plus its Android app is also beginner-friendly and comes with strong security tools. CyberGhost VPN backs all long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Good Pick for Changing Android Location & for High-End Security
NordVPN changes your Android location without issues, and it also provides very strong security. The VPN comes with full leak protection, and it never leaked my data when I ran leak tests on servers in 20+ countries. On top of that, the provider also has advanced features like RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy, and it also had its no-logs policy independently audited.
I also like that you get high-end security tools on the Android app. You get access to Threat Protection Lite, which gets rid of ads and protects you from malicious sites. Also, there’s Dark Web Monitor, which alerts you if your NordVPN account login has been compromised in a data breach. Finally, you also get tapjacking protection, which sends you an alert if a malicious app tries to add a screen overlay to compromise your data.
The provider has servers in 61 countries, so you get a decent variety in terms of locations. Still, if this server size isn’t enough for you, I recommend trying ExpressVPN instead since it has servers in 105 countries.
NordVPN’s Android app is also easy to use — the interface is really intuitive and simple to navigate with your thumb.
NordVPN comes with tier-based subscriptions, which start at $3.39 / month. Also, the provider backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN’s Android app easily changes your location and has excellent security. The VPN uses advanced security features, and its Android app also has other security tools (including an ad blocker and dark web monitoring). You also get access to servers in 61 countries and an easy-to-use Android app. NordVPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
5. Surfshark — Good for Masking Your IP Address & GPS Data on Android
Surfshark makes it very simple to change your Android IP address and GPS data. Its Android app is super intuitive, so it’s perfect for beginners — I especially like how there are helpful explanations for all settings and features. Plus, the provider allows unlimited connections, making it a great pick for large families or people who own 10+ Android devices.
Surfshark is one of the only VPNs that allow you to spoof your GPS data on Android. This feature essentially allows you to match your Android phone’s GPS data to the IP address assigned to you by the VPN server you connect to.
And the provider’s Android app also provides good security. It comes with a great ad blocker, and it allows you to enable a feature that regularly changes your VPN IP address, which changes your Android location. You also get DNS leak protection, but IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection are missing (ExpressVPN has full leak protection) — but I never experienced any leaks in my tests.
Surfshark is super affordable, with plans starting as low as $1.99 / month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark changes your Android location by spoofing your IP address and GPS data — it’s actually one of the only VPNs out there that can hide GPS data on Android. On top of that, the VPN has good security features and allows unlimited connections. Surfshark also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Changing Android Location in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Changing Android Location in 2024
- Pick a VPN with Android support. To change your location on Android, you need to get a VPN that has a dedicated Android app — ideally one you can download from the Play store, not from the provider’s site. All of my top picks come with Android apps that can be found on the app store.
- Look for a large server network. I recommend choosing a VPN provider that has servers in most parts of the world, so that you can easily change your Android location to whatever you want. I personally think a good VPN should have servers in at least 50+ countries.
- Opt for strong security and privacy. You need to get a VPN with strong leak protection, so that it doesn’t leak your actual location. The provider should also have other security and privacy features to protect your data, like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.
- Choose a VPN with an intuitive Android app. The provider’s Android app should have an interface that’s very simple to navigate, it should make it easy to find and connect to servers, and it should also provide quick explanations for all features and settings.
- Get a VPN that provides good value. I also recommend picking a VPN that has affordable prices, a generous money-back guarantee, fast speeds, and good torrenting support. All the VPNs on my list offer that (and more).
How to Change Your Location Settings on Android
In addition to using a VPN, you can also tweak certain Android location settings to get more privacy. This includes disabling location services completely, disabling only certain location services, and changing how each app on your phone interacts with your location data.
How to Disable All Location Services on Android
- First, head to Settings.
- Then, look for Location and tap on it.
- At the top, switch the slider from On to Off.
How to Disable Specific Location Services on Android
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Location.
- Next, tap on Location services.
- Choose which location services you’d like to turn off.
How to Change App Permissions on Android
- Head to Settings.
- Find Location and tap on it.
- After that, tap on App permissions.
- Pick the app you want to change location settings for. You can choose to:
- Allow the app to access your location all the time.
- Allow the app to access your location only when you’re using it.
- Have the app ask you for permission to use your location every time it needs it.
- Disable the app’s access to your location.
Other Ways to Change Your Location on Android
- Proxy servers. A proxy is an online app that changes your location by masking your IP address just like a VPN does — by routing your traffic through a server. However, I don’t recommend using proxies instead of VPNs, as proxies don’t use encryption, so they’re less secure.
- GPS-spoofing apps. There are several third-party GPS-spoofing apps on the Play Store, which you can use to change your device’s GPS data. That said, there’s no guarantee such an app can 100% change your Android location, as it doesn’t mask your IP address. If you’re interested in changing your GPS data, just use Surfshark — it masks your IP address, and it also has a feature on Android that spoofs your GPS data.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Change My Location on Android?
Yes, but I don’t really recommend it since most free VPNs are not secure. They either lack essential security features that protect your real location, or they might leak your data. Plus, some free VPNs might even log your real location and share it with third parties for a profit.
That said, there are some good free VPNs out there, but they still have limitations. For example, they limit how much data you can use, they only let you use servers in a few countries, and they don’t work with streaming sites. Proton VPN is the best free VPN on the market since it has unlimited data, excellent security, and a user-friendly Android app — but it only lets you use servers in 5 countries, and its free plan doesn’t support streaming.
It’s best to just get a paid VPN — most of them are affordable and also come with generous money-back guarantees, so you can try them risk-free. For instance, ExpressVPN has a 30-day refund policy, and it’s the best VPN for changing your Android location on the market.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- IPVanish. The provider has servers in 52 countries, comes with good security features, and has a user-friendly Android app. However, it’s missing WebRTC leak protection, and it doesn’t work with most top streaming services.
- Mullvad VPN. The VPN is very good for security and privacy, and its Android app is minimalistic and intuitive. That said, it only has servers in 40 countries, and it doesn’t work with popular streaming platforms.
- AirVPN. While the VPN provides good security and privacy, it only has servers in 23 countries, it doesn’t work with popular streaming services, and its Android app looks outdated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to change your location on Android?
The best way to change your Android location is to use a VPN — just download and install it from the Play Store, open the VPN app, and connect to a VPN server. Once you do that, your Android location will change.
The best VPN for changing your Android location is ExpressVPN — it always changed my location in my tests without any issues, it has servers in 105 countries, it works with 100+ streaming services, and it’s super secure.
Is it legal to change my Android location?
Changing your location on Android is legal, but it depends on where you live. In most countries, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN to change your Android location — but there are restrictive countries that have banned the use of location-changing tools, like VPNs. It’s best to research your local laws to make sure it’s 100% safe to do this.
Also, keep in mind some mobile apps prohibit the use of location-changing services. Always make sure to closely read the terms of service of the app you’re using to make sure you don’t risk violating them (and potentially losing access to your account) by changing your Android location.
Can I change my GPS location on Android?
Yes, as there are GPS-spoofing apps on the Play Store. You have to perform a quick manual setup to use them, but it’s pretty straightforward. That said, there’s no guarantee these apps will 100% work — especially since they only change your GPS data, and not your IP address (which also reveals your real location).
I recommend using a VPN like Surfshark for this — in addition to changing your IP address, it also has a feature on its Android app that spoofs your GPS data and makes it match the location of the VPN IP address you’re assigned.
