faqvpn.io
Updated 2026 27 March 2026 3 min read

How to Use VPN to Change Location?

🔍 Quick answer:

To change your location with a VPN, open your VPN app, tap or click the server list or location selector, choose a country or city, and click connect. Your IP address will instantly change to that location. Verify by visiting whatismyip.com — it should show the country you selected. You can switch locations as many times as you want.

Step-by-step: Change VPN location

On Windows / Mac

  1. Open your VPN app
  2. Click the server list or location button (often shows current country flag)
  3. Browse or search for a country
  4. Click on the server/location
  5. Wait for connection — location is now changed

On iPhone / Android

  1. Open the VPN app
  2. Tap the location/flag icon
  3. Scroll or search for a country
  4. Tap to select — VPN reconnects to new location
  5. Check status bar for new VPN connection

Why change your VPN location?

  • Streaming: Watch US Netflix, UK BBC iPlayer, Japanese content, etc.
  • Privacy: Appear in a different country for added anonymity
  • Shopping: Find better prices on flights, hotels, or software (prices vary by region)
  • Bypass censorship: Access blocked websites or services in restrictive countries
  • Speed: Connect to a server closer to your physical location for faster speeds

Tips for changing VPN location

Use the search function

Most VPN apps have a search bar — type the country name instead of scrolling through 100+ locations.

Favorite locations

Save frequently used locations as favorites for one-click switching.

Fastest server

Many VPNs have an "auto" or "fastest" option that picks optimal location for speed.

City-level selection

Some VPNs let you pick specific cities, not just countries — useful for streaming local content.

⚠️ Note: Changing VPN location doesn't guarantee streaming services will work. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others actively block known VPN IPs. Premium VPNs update their servers regularly to bypass these blocks.

💡 Pro tip: After changing location, clear your browser cache or use incognito mode. Some sites cache your previous location and may not update immediately. Also verify your new IP at whatismyip.com.

Was this helpful?

On this page

Loading...

Top 3 VPNs 2026 Tested

1

NordVPN

9.8/10

Best overall • 5500+ servers

$3.39/mo Visit
2

ExpressVPN

9.9/10

Fastest • 3000+ servers

$6.67/mo Visit
3

ProtonVPN

8.5/10

Best privacy • Free tier

$4.99/mo Visit

We earn commission if you purchase through links

View all 179 questions in this category →

Terms you'll meet

IP address
Your device's public ID online.
Encryption
Scrambling data so only you can read it.
No‑logs policy
VPN doesn't store your activity.

More from Beginners