How To Change Location on Snapchat

Snapchat is an app that allows you to send photos, videos, and text messages to your friends. What makes it different from other such apps is that Snapchat “moments” disappear after a few seconds. Snapchat has been around for a few years now, long enough for people to ask a few questions about the service.

One example is how the transient nature of Snapchat could lead to people sharing more than intended – completely forgetting the other party can still screenshot an image. However, the biggest question around Snapchat is the risk arising from its location services.

Regardless of your views on Snapchat, changing location is possible, and here’s how.

How to Change Snapchat Location on Android

The only reliable way of changing your Snapchat location is by using GPS-altering services. One of the best apps that help with this is Surfshark VPN. The Android version of their app includes a setting that allows you to fake your GPS location.

Here’s how:

1. Sign up for a Surfshark account.
2. Download the app from the Google Play Store.
3. Install the app and launch Surfshark.
4. Sign in, then tap the “Settings” option.
5. Tap “Advanced Settings”
6. Toggle the option to “Override GPS Location.”
7. Head back to the locations list and connect to a server in your desired location.

Without a GPS-altering service like the one available in Surfshark, your options will be limited. Within the Snapchat app, you can only select a few location settings. 

How to Change Snapchat Location on iOS

If you’re not on Android but using an iOS device, you need to seek an alternative to Surfshark. iOS is slightly problematic since Apple is opposed to allowing users freedom and flexibility. Some tools can assist, but the process is somewhat complex.

Here’s one example;

1. Download 3uTools, a toolkit that lets you meddle with some Apple devices.
2. Install the application, then launch it and select “Toolbox.”
3. Tap on “VirtualLocation” and use the map to select a location you want to “be.”
4. Select “Modify virtual location,” then “OK.”

This method seems to work on iOS and iPadOS, but there’s an important caveat. Once you reboot the device, you will have to repeat the process. It is not permanent, but I think that’s a good thing.

Why Change Your Snapchat Location?

Avoid Stalkers

If you want to avoid an ex or a creepy guy who won’t stop messaging you on Snapchat, changing your location is one way.

Find New Friends

You can use the following steps to change your location if you are moving to a new city and want to meet people in your neighborhood.

Explore The World

If an event is happening nearby that might be interesting, changing your location will allow you to see what others post about it online and follow along with their posts or pictures through Snapchat’s Story feature.

Find Jobs Or Freelancing Gigs Outside of Your Current Area

There are plenty of opportunities out there for anyone willing to look beyond where they live right now–and changing locations on Snapchat is one easy way for job seekers and freelancers alike who want access to those opportunities!

Meet Other Users In Different Time Zones

While this obviously won’t work for everyone all over the world anyway because some people will always sleep when others wake up–it could still come in handy if someone lives somewhere else but works at odd hours themselves sometimes too!

Why Snapchat Tracks Your Location

Snapchat tracks your location to show you local stories, events, businesses, and news. These are like the Snapchat-curated stories seen on other social networks like Instagram or Facebook. Those are determined by how often a user visits particular areas. Snapchat then displays an algorithmically-curated content feed from nearby accounts.

For example, if you live in New York City, you might spend time around Los Angeles during a family visit or holiday. Once back home, Snapchat will use this information to serve up “New York City” story recommendations.

Preventing Snapchat from Using Your Data for Ads

Snapchat runs on ads (since you use it for free), and it uses your data to earn this money. It’s similar to how WhatsApp and Facebook work. If you prefer not to get creeped out by over-personalized ads, you can disable this option. To disable interest-based ads on Snapchat:

1. Open the app and tap “Settings.”
2. Select “Privacy & Safety,” then “Ad Preferences.”
3. You can then disable interest-based advertising by tapping on “No Ads based on my Interests.”

Can all VPNs Change My GPS Location?

To answer this question, you need to understand what a VPN is and how it works. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an online service that helps mask your location by allowing you to adopt the IP address of a remote server.

Unfortunately, this does not affect your GPS signal. As far as I know, Surfshark is the only VPN that currently provides GPS-altering services. Even that is limited to only Android devices. However, other applications can help with GPS location modification.

While I won’t delve too deeply into those, I highly recommend you consider options that are not free. In most cases, free applications also tend to use (i.e., “sell”) your data, making Snapchat location altering somewhat pointless.

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it! You can now change your location on Snapchat whenever you want, which is helpful if you want to Snapchat in a different physical location. It’ll also be one less reason to worry about that holiday snap coming back to bite you in the rear.

In the end, if you’re someone who uses Snapchat a lot, this may be an excellent option for you. It seems like a nice perk to having an account on the app, and it’s certainly something that I would consider using in the future.