How to Change IP Address Location with VPN

You have probably heard about the benefits of using a VPN service, especially if you work from home.

This guide shows you how to take even more control over your online privacy by changing your virtual location through altering an IP address.  

Pro tip: Consider all pros and cons before choosing your VPN provider. Clario offers a VPN that comes with benefits such as real-time antivirus, advanced ad blocker with anti-tracking function, and 24/7 expert support. Read on to learn how a VPN works and download Clario to try it out now.

How to change your IP address location with Clario VPN

The easiest way to spoof your location and change your IP address is to use a VPN. VPN changes your location, encrypts your data, and makes your browsing safer and more private. So installing a VPN app is your best bet when it comes to changing your virtual location.  

How to change VPN location on mobile devices (iOS and Android)

1. Install Clario on your mobile device

2. Register your Clario account

3. Open the Clario app and click Browsing

4. Turn on Browsing protection.

5. Tap on your browsing location to change it.

6. Choose your desired browsing location from the list.

That’s it, you're good to go!

How to change location on a Mac

1. Download Clario

2. In the Clario dashboard, toggle on the Secure VPN.

3. Allow Clario to add VPN configurations.

6. Select your virtual location.

7. That's it, you’re browsing privately now!

Why you may want to change your online location

If you’re wondering why changing your location is important, here are some examples where geo-spoofing can be incredibly useful.  

You may want to change your location using VPN:

To access a website or service unavailable in your region

Many popular online streaming services like Netflix or Hulu are available in a limited number of countries. Content availability also varies greatly — many shows may be impossible to watch if they are not licensed for broadcasting in your country. However, if you spoof your location, you can still watch a new episode of your favorite series by turning on the VPN, then choosing the country that’s best suited for this.

To enjoy music streaming services everywhere

Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, and other online music streaming subscription services allow you to enjoy listening to music without needing to pay per song. Instead, you just turn on the internet, launch the app, and access your favorite playlists and personalized suggestions.  

However, not all of these services work in every country in the world. Each of them has a limited number of locations where streaming is available. If you are a subscriber and travel to a country where the service hasn’t launched yet, it’s a good idea to change the location on your iPhone. This VPN change of your location will make the service think you are still at home, so will play the songs as usual.

To access your work network (intranet)

If you work in a company with an intranet — the internal resource containing company information — you’ll know that you can only access it when you are physically present at the office and connected to your corporate network. However, you can still access the intranet by faking your location so that the intranet “sees” you as browsing from your office.

To avoid price discrimination

Let’s say you are planning a trip and are researching  tickets or accommodation online. When you click on a search result to go to a website and check out the prices, the website will know your IP and be aware you are interested in their services.  

Next time, if you use the same keywords to do the search, some websites may show you higher prices to try to persuade you that time is running out and whatever you were looking for is only going to get more expensive. Certain services also offer different prices for different countries. Faking your location can avoid price hikes and help you get a better deal on your next online purchase.  

To avoid targeted ads

Knowing your location is handy for advertising trackers: they can show you ads for nearby places or shops you are more likely to visit. If you are tired of seeing the same ads again and again, you can use a VPN service to spoof your location and encrypt your connection. While using a VPN, the ads displayed to you (unless you decide to block them altogether) will be less relevant and distracting.

FAQs

Some frequently asked questions in relation to geo-spoofing are:  

How does Google know my location when I’m using a VPN service?

Google learns your location using two factors - your IP address and the signals of nearby Wi-Fi spots. This is why, if you want to make sure your real location is undisclosed even to the mighty Google, disable Wi-Fi on your device, and use mobile data (if you’re using iPhone or iPad) or a wired connection.

Does VPN change phone location?

VPN changes the location of your phone (or tablet, computer, etc.) in terms of how it’s presented online. There are other ways your smart device communicates with the outside world. Your physical location can still be tracked through your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules and your GSM receiver/transmitter (the part of your phone that allows making “regular” phone calls).

Is changing your IP address illegal?

Changing your IP address in itself is legal. However, using VPN is banned and blocked in some countries.

Why is my VPN failing to change my location?

If your VPN service doesn’t change your location, these might be the reasons:

• Your VPN service is off - turn it on to enjoy the privacy.
• Your VPN is configured to set your location to the one that matches your country and city but not your actual IP. This can happen if you’re using a VPN service configured to provide access to your office intranet, and you are in the same city as your office. In this case — choose a different location in your VPN app.
• Your VPN service is misconfigured and cannot work with the current settings in place - either change the VPN settings yourself or ask a technical specialist for help.