How to change location on Android: A step-by-step guide

Do you sometimes think your Android phone knows you better than your friends? It probably does. It’s aware of your shopping habits, knows where you had lunch last week and can predict where you’ll probably have coffee tomorrow. But what if it suddenly thinks you’re in another city—or what if you want it to think that? Whether you’re trying to shake off targeted ads or access your favourite content while travelling, there are many reasons why you might want to change your virtual location. We’ll show you how and why Avira Phantom VPN can mask your browsing and help shield your privacy online.

 

Why does your smartphone track your location?

Your smartphone has built-in location-tracking powers so it might feel like an over-enthusiastic detective. It’s trying to use those skills to be helpful (rather than creepy), and while these services can be convenient, they raise questions about your online privacy and security. Who’s watching, what information is being gathered, and why? There are many valuable reasons why your smartphone seems obsessed with where you are:

It would be naïve to assume that location and other web tracking is only about your comfort and convenience. It doesn’t exist purely to help you find your way to a picnic in the sunshine but can also feed your data to third parties, who collect and sell it (often without your consent). Advertisers use location data to create detailed profiles of users so they can send them personalised ads, which is why you might be inundated with ads for Italian food if you’re walking past pizzerias or searching for them on a map app.

How do apps, websites, and your Android know your location?

Your phone isn’t psychic but deploys an array of technical wizardry to help pinpoint your whereabouts. Here are the key tools used by apps and websites to find out where you are and to help keep track of you as you move about:

Remember… your phone has multiple ways to track you, even when you think you’ve gone incognito.

Three ways to change your location on Android

So, you want to disguise where you are? There are three ways to help safely change your location on an Android device. A VPN is a useful choice if you still want to enjoy the full functionality of your apps.

Use a VPN

VPNs connect you to servers scattered in various locations across the globe, so your Android will appear in a different city, region, or even country. A VPN is for you if you’re also looking for the added privacy and safety of an encrypted tunnel.

  1. Choose a VPN service like Avira Phantom VPN

  1. Set up your VPN:

  1. Turn your VPN on and choose a server location (if possible):

  1. Check that the VPN is working:

Disable location settings

Android devices allow you to select your location options. That’s especially helpful if you’re looking to block all apps and settings from using your location data. Steps will vary slightly, but here is an example of what to do if you use Android version 15 (on a Google Pixel 7 Pro).

  1. Swipe down and hit the Settings icon (cog symbol).
  2. Scroll down and click on Location.
  3. Toggle the button next to Use location off. You’ll see a notification that your device location may still be sent to emergency responders and that the apps with “nearby devices” permission can determine the position of connected devices (so you can still be “seen” and see others).

Change app permissions

In the above settings, if the Use location button is on, you’ll see a list of apps that recently accessed your location. For a more in-depth understanding of which app knows what, click on App location permissions to view a list of apps that are allowed to access your location all the time, those with location permissions only when they’re in use, and those with no location permissions at all. It’s helpful to regularly review these lists and ask yourself, “Does this app really need to know where I am to function”?

 

 

To change the app permissions of a single app, go to App location permissions and click on an app. Then select the location access you want to grant that app. Choose Don’t allow to remove all location permissions.

Google Support offers a wealth of information on how to manage your Android device’s location settings. There’s also this handy, detailed Avira guide on how to change app permissions on Android.

Why does your phone think you’re in the wrong place?

Are you in Turin and not Timbuktu, or does it think you’re halfway across the country when you’re in the next room? Technology is rarely consistently perfect, and sometimes, your phone’s location services can be a little off. Here’s what might be happening:

Why do people change their location?

There are many useful reasons why you might want to “teleport” yourself. For example, are you staring at an “Access denied” notification when trying to watch a video, play a game, or use an app while travelling? A lot of online services are location-based. Many people enjoy being able to access content when they’re travelling. That way, they can watch their favourite boxed set, play games, or use otherwise unavailable apps when they’re abroad—or vice versa if they want to view materials that aren’t available at home. In extreme cases, like someone fleeing from domestic violence or a journalist on the run from an oppressive regime, hiding your whereabouts can be essential for personal safety.

Then there are privacy concerns. Many users prefer keeping their location secret to avoid targeted ads or data tracking. If you’re a developer, you might need to simulate being somewhere else to test whether an app or website works there. And did you know that changing your location can sometimes unlock better deals on flights, hotels, or subscriptions?

If you decide to switch off location services, remember the potential risks! What if you or your phone are lost, for example? You won’t be able to use Find My Device. Location-based apps will also be left in the dark, and you won’t have access to reliable maps and other navigational aids. If privacy is your main concern, a trustworthy VPN like Avira Phantom VPN can be an easier and safer choice. You’ll help shield your online identity and browsing while still reaping the benefits of knowing where you’re going.

 

Top tips when changing your location on your Android

If you’re ready to fool your phone into thinking that you’re in Manhattan instead of Munich, for example, follow these tips to ensure you and your data have a smoother, safer ride.

It’s not just Android users that have the freedom to tinker with their location settings. You can change your location on an iPhone too.

How to improve your location accuracy

If you’re not trying to hide where you really are, here’s how to maximise your device’s location powers. Steps will vary slightly on different devices. A Google Pixel 7 was used here.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Location.
  3. Tap Location Services.
  4. Tap Location Accuracy.
  5. Turn on Improve Location Accuracy.

Choose a trusted VPN for your Android and other devices

A VPN like Avira Phantom VPN acts as a cloak of invisibility for your device’s IP address and online browsing. It’s always a helpful privacy shield but essential on public Wi-Fi as these networks are notoriously poorly protected and a favourite hunting ground for hackers! When picking your VPN provider, look for a no-logs policy so your browsing activities remain between you and your screen. To virtually “hop” to the country of your choice, consider subscribing to Avira Phantom VPN Pro. This premium tool also lets you wave goodbye to data limits, so it’s ideal for avid streamers. Its entry-level cousin, Avira Phantom VPN, is free! Get yours for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

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