In recent years, there has been both advocacy and a fight for user data privacy. The market for user data has become very wide with varying uses and a steep demand. Most of the data collected is leveraged by brokers and service providers for advertising or serving related content. However, regardless of the convenience brought by personal data collection and personalization, it has its caveat. Personal data that is used to personalize a user’s experience can be used by third parties for other purposes than the intended, thus breaching data privacy.
Personal data refers to the information that can be used to identify a specific person. Personal information may be gathered from a variety of sources, and it is important to secure it to preserve people’s privacy and stop unlawful access or exploitation. To safeguard the privacy and security of people’s information, organizations and individuals must handle personal data responsibly and by existing laws and regulations. It contains information like name, address, phone number, financial information, location and GPS information, medical records, internet identifiers, and more.
In today’s world, smartphones have become an indispensable tool in our day-to-day life spanning from clocks, communication devices to how we make our payments. On the other hand, they have become inseparable from their users, making them digital replicas with all their information. Given that these devices are always with us make them the perfect tracking devices as they are always collecting our GPS locations.
On your iPhone, you might occasionally want to modify or fake your location for a variety of reasons. Knowing how to change your location on iPhone may be useful, whether you’re looking for privacy, want to access location-specific information, or are testing location-based apps. This article seeks to offer a thorough tutorial on how to change your location on iPhone, highlighting several approaches and their effects. You may change your iPhone’s location and have greater freedom in your digital interactions by following the instructions provided in this article.
Part 1: Why would you need to change location?
Well for those that have used Android smartphones, the idea of changing GPS location is quite easy through spoofing or using VPNs. For iOS users it is as much a necessity as it is for Android users, however, due to the controlled nature of the iOS operating system and its applications’ security features, the process is not as simple.
Numerous useful situations call for the ability to adjust your iPhone’s location. By hiding your true location when utilizing specific applications or services, it can help you retain your privacy. You might want to conceal your location when using a dating app, participating in location-based promotions, or avoiding targeted marketing. Changing your location might also help get access to information that is only accessible in certain countries, such as streaming services or particular applications.
Additionally, to test location-based features, developers and app testers frequently require the ability to mimic various locales. You may correctly evaluate how an app performs in various geographic settings without physically visiting those locations by changing the location of your iPhone.
Here are a few reasons to change your iPhone location:
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To access region-locked Geo-restricted content
Currently, most mobile applications, and online content such as streaming services, gaming services, social media services, websites, and other types of online media are region locked or restrict some media or information from some audiences based on geographical locations. As an example, Netflix, one of the largest movie and tv shows streaming services has most of its shows censored or blocked from particular regions.
Figure 1: Netflix Restricted Content
For the audiences in regions locked in restricted or blocked regions, one of the possible solutions is to change the location. Learning how to change location on iPhone allows the users to bypass these restrictions and access information or content that would otherwise not be available in that location.
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For privacy and security reasons
Privacy concerns from data breaches, data leaks, and third-party data collection that aids in tracking movements, social profiling, targeted advertising, and other malicious intent have become quite apparent to mobile phone users. Thus, necessitating the importance of masking, hiding, or changing locations on their devices.
Changing your location might help you maintain your online security and privacy. You may lower the danger of targeted advertising, profiling, or potential data breaches by changing your location and preventing websites, apps, and services from tracking your actual location.
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To test location-based applications or simulate locations
Mobile application testers, modulators, and developers are faced with challenges such as developing or testing applications set for different regions or locking certain services for specific locations. To test these functionalities developers and testers need to bypass or simulate different location restrictions. It enables you to replicate multiple places to make sure your app functions correctly in a variety of geographic situations.
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For gaming
Some programs for gaming and game streaming services use location data to improve the gaming experience. You may access location-specific game features, explore virtual worlds connected to certain locations, or take part in contests depending on your current location by changing it.
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For anonymity
People occasionally can just want for private reasons to keep their true location a secret. Based on personal lines of work such as investigators, journalists, and other private reasons, one may choose anonymity for convenience or safety.
By using some of the techniques and ways discussed in this article, they can keep some amount of privacy and control over the information they provide by changing their location.
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For shopping
Location data is frequently used by online merchants and trip-booking websites to modify rates according to the user’s location. This is quite common, especially given the large marketplaces and different laws such as tax laws in different places.
To be able to get better deals, doing extensive research and cross-platform searches can help. However, one of the most common points of price discrimination is based on the buyer’s location. You may compare costs and possibly prevent pricing discrimination by changing your location.
When taking vacations or trips as well, making travel plans, or discovering new places, it might be useful to change your location. By virtually moving to a different area, you may learn about nearby amenities, activities, and sights, as well as check the local weather in real-time, while also accessing the non-inflated prices that are imposed on the merits of your location.
Part 2: How to change location on iPhone
Based on the benefits and the need to alter, change or simulate locations, there are several ways that one can go about changing their location. Unlike Android smartphones, with iPhones, there are limited options. This post will go through several ways to move your iPhone’s location. It will go through how to use your device’s built-in location services, how to use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to divert your internet traffic to various servers, and how to use GPS location spoofing applications that are made expressly for changing location information.
It is important to note that depending on the choice of method that you choose, there might be some legal implications or ethical issues that are associated with it. While these solutions are viable in most places around the world and legitimate in certain situations, their use might violate or infringe the terms of service for particular applications or services which might lead to legal implications. It is also crucial that these techniques are used in a way that does not break the law or for malicious intents.
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Using a VPN
In the online world today, where data and personal information has become very marketable, maintaining privacy and online security has never been more apparent. One of the most effective and secure ways to attain online freedom and security is by the use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs are used to route your internet traffic through different servers in different locations while also encrypting the information to avoid intercepting the data. Besides encrypting your internet connection, hiding the IP address, and other benefits of using VPNs, they can also be used to change virtual locations. This allows users to gain more control over their online presence and reduce their online footprint.
Understanding how to use VPNs on your iPhone may provide you with greater digital flexibility and peace of mind, whether you’re concerned about privacy, accessing geo-restricted material, or testing location-based apps.
How to use a VPN
VPNs are pretty straightforward, with most having straightforward connection processes, and most with free trial versions, or free versions. As a popular method of altering your location on an iPhone most of the VPNs will work. Remember that not all VPNs are the same, and depending on their terms and policies on security and data retention, you might want to be careful when choosing one.
Here is how you can use a VPN to change your location:
- Install a VPN program on your iPhone by looking for a trustworthy VPN app in the AppStore: Choose a VPN service from the many options available based on your demands for server locations, privacy, and security. As mentioned earlier, VPNs can be used for different reasons, such as encrypting connections, browsing anonymously, avoiding third-party tracking, and also changing locations. However, with the thousands of VPN services available, understanding the privacy policies and terms of VPNs is important. Subscription costs are also important to consider.
- Fire up the VPN app: Open the iPhone VPN application you just installed.
- Create an account (if necessary): often not necessary but some VPN programs might demand you to do so to use their services. If required, follow the app’s setup steps to create an account. It should be as easy, again it is always important to be cautious of the personal information that you give out when signing up.
- Select a server location: Once done with launching and signing in, the VPN software will normally show you a list of possible server locations once you’ve logged in. Based on the place you wish to appear from, choose a server location. It is important to choose locations where there is less congestion, less latency, and with high speeds, most of the service providers will normally list this as well.
- Connect to the VPN server: To connect to the server, tap the location you choose. The VPN application will connect securely to the server.
- Verify your new location: After you connect to the VPN server, your internet traffic will be forwarded through that server, seeming to be coming from the location you selected. You can utilize a location-based app or website to check if the intended location is represented to confirm your new location.
Although VPNs offer the ability to change the location by connecting to virtual servers and allowing users to use these virtual locations, they are limited in choice of location as well as the specificity of location that one may choose. For example, one cannot choose locations or cities that are not offered by a certain VPN service.
On the other hand, most VPNs have reputable security policies as well as offer safe and encrypted connections with consistency. Since most offer services on a subscription basis, it is important to consider the pricing plans offered by different providers.
Here is a list of popular VPNs:
For more information on VPNs consider reading our article on VPNs
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Using GPS Spoofing Applications and Software
Using spoofing apps and software is one of the most common ways to change or spoof GPS locations on smartphones. However, unlike Android smartphones, this process is not as easy on iPhones. Mainly this arises from Apple’s strict policies of security and application that seek to modify or change phone information. However, this does mean it is not possible.
You might occasionally need to alter or forge your iPhone’s GPS position. GPS location spoofing applications may be a useful tool if you want to investigate location-based features in apps, safeguard your privacy, or access regional content. You may change the GPS coordinates on your iPhone with these applications, which essentially changes your virtual position. Here is how to change location on iPhone using spoofing applications.
How GPS Spoofing Apps Work
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- Location Simulation: Apps that spoof GPS settings on iPhones generate a fictitious GPS environment. They provide the apps on the device with simulated coordinates for different places.
- Mocking GPS Signals: These applications substitute the real GPS signals the iPhone receives with false or modified signals that have different position information. The GPS information given to the operating system of the smartphone is successfully intercepted and altered by the applications.
- App Compatibility: GPS spoofing applications may try to deceive other applications that depend on GPS location data. Location-based apps and services are deceived by spoofing apps, which give bogus GPS coordinates to give the impression that the iPhone is physically situated somewhere else.
While using GPS spoofing apps or software there are several ways to fake location on your iPhone, whether to trick the location on Find My iPhone, to fake Find My Friends location or play Pokémon. In this article, we will look at 3 modes that are available for changing GPS location with iFoneTool AnyGO software and App.
Part 3: IfoneTool AnyGo
iFoneTool AnyGO is among some of the most powerful and convenient location spoofing tools that are designed for both Android and iPhone users. It allows smartphone users to mock locations or move about different locations to access restricted content, test location-based apps, trick Find My Friends location information, or play Pokemon from different locations.
Features of iFoneTool AnyGO
- Jump Teleport Movement
This mode allows the user to pick a location on the map and jump directly to that location without moving.
- Two Spot Mode
The two-spot mode allows the users to set a starting point and an endpoint on the map and the tools simulate motion, helping you move around at a specified speed.
- Multi-spot mode
The multi-spot mode is quite similar to the two-spot mode, however in this mode the user can select multiple locations on the map to plan a route and the application enables them to move at different simulated speeds. The essence of this mode is to simulate natural movement.
How to use iFoneTool AnyGO:
Using the iFoneTool AnyGo is very easy and can be simplified into a 3-step process. No expertise is required. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use iFoneTool AnyGo to change your GPS location on your iPhone:
Step 1: Launch the Application
The iFoneTool AnyGo application software is available for all devices on the official website. After you have downloaded the application on your computer, install and launch the application.
Figure 2: Download the iFoneTool AnyGo
Step 2: Connect your iPhone or Android to the Computer
Start the iFoneTool AnyGo program. Utilize a USB connection to link your Phone to your computer. If a message appears asking you to trust the computer, tap “Trust” on your iPhone.
Figure 3:Connect to your Phone
Step 3: Change the GPS Location
After the device is connected, in the user interface, there are several modes to choose from. Choose the desired mode, and pick a location that you want to fake, the application search tool is advanced and will suggest locations as you type.
Figure 4: Choosing Mode and Location
Once done, you can click move and your iPhone GPS will now be faked to the desired location.
Conclusion
GPS spoofing or using VPNs enables smartphone users to manipulate their GPS information and provide fake GPS locations for whatever purpose or intent. Whilst these options do exist and some are free to use, it is important to note that there are legal and ethical implications to their use and thus should be used responsibly.
The use of GPS spoofing programs improperly, however, can have serious repercussions, including privacy infractions, legal problems, and terms of service violations. Prioritizing moral conduct, protecting others’ privacy, and abiding by all applicable rules and regulations are always advised. Everyone benefits from a safer and more reliable online environment thanks to responsible technology use.