We’ve all wanted to change our locations on Snapchat to bigger, better, and sometimes weirder places. Whether we want to surprise a loved one with an unexpected visit home, catch a cool filter from Paris while we’re sitting on our couch in Manhattan, or hide our true location, there are options to alter our locations on Snapchat.
In this article, we’ll explain how to change your phone’s GPS location so you can fool your Snapchat friends into thinking you’ve gone to Dubai for the weekend.
Can VPNs Change Snapchat Location?
Changing your location isn’t straightforward. Snapchat relies on your phone's GPS location, not just your IP address. VPNs are great at changing your IP address, but most of them can't alter your GPS coordinates. We know of a few workarounds we'll cover below. We still recommend using a VPN to protect your privacy while using Snapchat. Here are some of the best we’ve tested:
How To Change Your Snapchat Location
Altering your Snapchat location isn’t as simple as, let’s say, changing your Netflix region. You need special tools that can change your phone’s GPS location, and as we mentioned above, there are VPNs that can help you do that.
One example is Surfshark. We’ve tested and reviewed Surfshark ourselves, and its GPS override function can help you alter your Snapchat location. Unfortunately, it only works on Android, so if you’re an iOS user, skip to the next section.
Here’s how to use a VPN like Surfshark to control the location Snapchat sees.
How To Change Your Snap Map Location on Android
- Sign up for a Surfshark VPN subscription.
- Download the Surfshark app from Google Play.
- Open the Surfshark app on your Android device.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Enable the “Override GPS Location” option.
- Tap the “Let’s Go” button as it appears in the pop-up menu.
- Tap “Open Settings” as it appears in the pop-up menu.
- In Settings, open your About Phone category.
- Scroll down until you see the Build Number.
- Quickly tap on the Build Number seven times. A message will appear, indicating that you are now in Developer Mode.
- Go back to the Surfshark app.
- Tap the arrow to proceed.
- Tap “Open Settings.”
- In the Developer options, scroll down until you see “Select Mock Location App,” then tap it.
- Tap “Surfshark” for your mock location app.
- Return to the Surfshark app. You should see that the setup is complete.
FYI: VPNs alone cannot encrypt your GPS location. The only VPN for Androids with GPS-changing capabilities is Surfshark. Read our article to learn how to set up a VPN on an Android.
GPS Location-Changer Software for Your iOS Device
Changing your GPS location on an iPhone is tricky. Apple doesn’t allow GPS-spoofing apps in the App Store. Plus, unlike Android, there aren’t any VPNs that offer this feature for iOS. We recommend using desktop software that connects to your iPhone. It takes a few extra steps, but it’s the easiest option.
- Download iTools. This desktop software lets you spoof your iPhone’s GPS location without jailbreaking. It works best with newer iPhones that have plenty of processing power. Follow these steps:
- Download the iTools software to your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.
- Click the Toolbox, and then click the Virtual Location icon.
- Enter an address or GPS coordinates, and click “Go.”2
- Download iAnyGo by Tenorshare. You can use this app on iPhones and iPads. Here’s how to set it up:
- Install the Tenorshare software and launch it on your computer.
- Click “Change Location” on the left side of your screen.
- Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable.
- Type in the location you want, and click “Start To Modify.”3
- Download Dr.Fone. This app can simulate GPS movement in real time. We recommend using it if you want it to look like you’re traveling. Here’s the setup:
- Launch the Dr.Fone software on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.
- Choose your desired location on the map to change your location.4
TIP: Instead of using desktop software, you can adjust your Snapchat privacy settings. Snapchat won’t let you fake your location, but it will let you control who sees where you really are, which is all you need.
Why Would You Want To Change Your Snapchat Location?
Some apps need to know where you are. Uber needs to find you, the weather app needs local forecasts, and Google Maps needs to give you accurate directions. Despite this, we still suggest playing with your location. Some of the perks are:
- It gives you an extra layer of privacy. VPNs can protect your IP address, but they don’t hide your GPS location by default. That’s not how VPNs work.
- It gives us access to location-based Snapchat filters.
- We can prank or surprise friends who check our locations frequently.
Keeping Your Information Private
Snapchat rolled out its Snap Map feature in 2017, and it immediately sparked privacy concerns. The feature lets your friends see exactly where you are on a map. Privacy advocates and cyberbullying experts raised red flags, especially since millions of teens use Snapchat.
Child safety organizations continue to warn users against sharing their location with people they don’t know in real life. This is especially important as the precision of Snap Map means it can pinpoint your location down to the building you’re in.
Keep in mind that Snapchat only updates your location when you’re in the app. Unlike Google Maps or Find My Friends, it doesn’t track you in the background. So if you haven’t opened Snapchat since yesterday morning, that’s the last location your friends will see.
How To Change Your Snapchat Location Settings
- Tap “Settings” at the top of your Map screen.
- Change who can see your location or hide your location altogether by toggling on the Ghost Mode option. All of these options are available in Location Settings.
Location-Sharing Options
- Ghost Mode: Your location isn’t visible to anyone on the map.
- Select Friends: You can choose specific friends to share your location with.
- My Friends: Snapchat will share your location with all of your friends.
You can also set a duration if you want the settings to last a certain amount of time before going back to your default settings. All these options will be available to you in the Settings section at the top of your Map screen.
>> More info: Is Snapchat Safe?
Keeping Your Data Private
If you’re interested in altering your GPS location for safety and/or privacy reasons, you’ll need to take more steps than just changing your location. Unfortunately, apps like Snapchat have more data on you than just your location.
Snapchat’s terms say it does not sell our personal information to third parties. But it does take information about our in-app activity from third-party services, and it uses that information to better target its advertisements. For example, if we click on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” updates on Snapchat’s “Discover” section consistently, it will use that information to target its advertisements toward us. We can opt out of interest-based advertising to avoid targeted ads.8
Another way to keep your data private is to stay off social media apps altogether. The data big tech companies have on us is surprisingly vast. The more social media networks we’re on, the more personal information we’ve probably signed away without realizing it.
How To Opt Out of Interest-Based Advertising on Snapchat
- In Snapchat, tap your profile picture in the top left corner of your screen.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Scroll down until you see “Additional Services.”
- Tap “Manage.”
- Tap “Ad Preferences.”
- Uncheck “Audience-Based” and “Activity-Based.” This will disable targeted advertisements based on your activity.
Recap
Even after opting out of interest-based advertising and turning off your location, the only surefire way to keep your private information secure is through a virtual private network, or a VPN. VPNs protect our web activity from the network’s internet service provider.
If you have an Android and are set on GPS-changing capabilities, the easiest way to do this is through Surfshark’s VPN. If you have an iPhone, we recommend downloading VPN software to protect your data privacy. If you’re concerned about your GPS location on Snapchat or other apps that track your location, either change your location settings within the apps or download software that allows you to change your location.
FAQs
We know location changing your location on Snapchat can be complicated. Here are some common questions about it.
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Is it illegal to change my location using a VPN?
It is not illegal to change your GPS location using a VPN unless you are using your mock location to perform a crime.
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Can VPN software change GPS locations?
The only VPN on the market that has GPS-altering software is Surfshark, and it only works on Android phones. Other VPNs can change your location using IP addresses, but not GPS addresses. Surfshark can do both.
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How do I change my GPS location on my iPhone?
Changing a GPS location on an iPhone isn’t quite as seamless as downloading an app for Android. But computer software programs such as iTools and iAnyGo make it possible.
- Download and install location-changing software to your computer, such as iTools or iAnyGo.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
- Navigate to the map to enter your desired location.
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Why does Snapchat track my location?
Snapchat tracks your location using GPS so your friends can check in on your whereabouts, but only if your location-sharing settings are turned on.
