How to Change Location on Android Without a VPN
Are you planning on travelling abroad? Would you like to change your location on your phone so you can have all of the maps and directions in the correct country? Android enables you to do this with ease. All you need is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to connect to the correct server and log in. After that, changing your location is as simple as tapping a button.
Why Use a VPN On Your Phone?
It is always good practice to use a VPN when browsing the web on public Wi-Fi, especially if you are in a country where your rights may be restricted. Changing your location on your phone to a country that may have restricted / censored content is usually not recommended, as this may lead to issues.
A VPN connection ensures that all of your internet traffic is encrypted, therefore preventing third parties from gaining access to your personal data. Encrypting your data also makes your mobile phone more secure, as it prevents data theft from being committed via a man in the middle attack.
How to Change Location on Android Without a VPN
Android supports the concept of virtual locations. This enables you to create different profiles for different geographic locations. For example, if you want to use a different language set for a different country, or use a different server to access resources (such as maps or news articles) that may be blocked in your current location.
You can use the Location option in the Settings menu to change your phone’s location. On the next screen, you will see a list of all of the supported locations. Choose the one you wish to use from this list, and tap the Back button to return to the main Settings screen.
On the next screen, you will see a map with the location you selected on it. All of the apps that you have installed on your phone will now be available in the new location. If you download a new app from your preferred app store after changing your location, the app will automatically be set to use the new location.
After You Change Location, App Installation May Be Impaired
Some apps may not work as expected after you change your location. If you download an app and it crashes or freezes up after you change your location, it is usually because the developer failed to take the geo-location change into consideration. Some apps work fine, though – it depends on the app and your phone’s hardware.
Before you change your location, you should try downloading the app again or choosing a different network to see if the problem is solved. If the issue still persists, you should contact the app’s support team and report the problem.
You should also double check that all of your important data can still be accessed in the new location (e.g. Phone numbers, contacts, notes, etc.). If this is not the case, you should either backup your data before you change your location, or decide not to change your location until everything is working as expected.
The Bottom Line
If you change your location on a mobile phone without using a VPN, you increase your chances of having issues with some apps or losing data due to not being connected to the correct server. Apps that support virtual locations allow you to change your location without risking issues, though – so it’s a good idea to try this out if you are in a country where you may encounter issues with the standard options.