My team and I tested a bunch of different methods and found one that works. You’ll need a phone running Android 6.0 to 10.0, GPS spoofing software, and a simple app called a VPN to do it. However, since Niantic also actively blocks VPN connections, some VPNs won’t work with PoGo. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for changing Pokemon GO locations. Its huge network of 3,000 servers in 94 countries are great for changing your location, and its top-notch security keeps your real location hidden. Plus, it offers fast speeds to maintain smooth game performance. You can try ExpressVPN with PoGo completely risk-free since it offers a money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with it, you have 30 days to claim a full refund. Play PoGo With ExpressVPN Important! It’s against Niantic’s Terms of Service to spoof your location to play Pokemon GO. If you get caught, you will receive a warning. If this happens, I advise that you stop spoofing your location or you may risk losing your account completely.
What You Need to Change Pokemon Go Locations
You need various apps and a desktop PC to spoof PoGo on Android. Niantic goes to great lengths to prevent all kinds of location spoofing, blocking Android emulators and standalone spoofing apps. Despite what some sites might tell you, there is no longer a working method for spoofing PoGo on iOS/iPhone. Here’s what you need to spoof PoGo on Android:
A VPN. This is a simple app that can give you an IP address in a country of your choice, allowing you to virtually change your location. A rooted Android running OS 6 to 10. This guide only works for Android 6.0 to 10.0. Rooting your device allows you to install Magisk Manager. Magisk Manager. This gives you added functionality to use developer options so you can modify apps, including your GPS location. A desktop PC with Smali Manager. This allows you to install the patcher that will spoof your location. Fake GPS Joystick. This handy app lets you navigate your location on a map.
Changing your location can also help you bypass an IP ban. IP addresses identify your location and it’s one of the methods Niantic uses to ban users from PoGo. Play PoGo With ExpressVPN
How to Change Pokemon GO Location: A Complete Guide
Niantic uses 2 location-determining methods: your IP address and GPS location. To change your location in Pokemon GO, you need to change both your IP and GPS location. While a VPN can change your IP, a GPS emulator (or spoofing app) can alter your GPS location.
Step 1: Download a VPN
I recommend ExpressVPN as it has servers in 94 countries for catching Pokemon worldwide. Connecting to servers far away from your actual location can seriously slow down your gameplay, but ExpressVPN has terrific speeds over distance.
Step 2: Create Smali Patch and Install on Android
You need a desktop PC and a rooted Android for this method to work. Rooting your Android allows you to install Magisk Manager, which gives you advanced developer options so you can modify apps. You can then use your PC to install a patcher on your Android to modify your GPS location. There are many variations of this process, but I’ll focus on the Windows 10 PC solution as it seems to work for the most devices. Play PoGo With ExpressVPN
Step 3: Install a GPS Spoofing App
You can do the rest of the process on your Android; you won’t need your PC again to complete this Pokemon GO GPS guide. Note: With this method, you can’t enable ‘Move Around Fake Location’ in your spoofing app because PoGo will detect it, and you’ll get a warning. Even though you can’t move much, you can let the Pokemon spawn around you, or catch them by throwing a Curveball. Play PoGo With ExpressVPN
How to Root Your Android
Rooting your Android unlocks the ability to fake your GPS location in PoGo — but it does come with risks; for example, it may invalidate your device’s warranty. Other risks include bricking your phone, and exposing yourself to security threats. Many apps block rooted devices, so some may stop working. I used a Windows 10 PC to root my Android. There are many other ways of rooting, but I found this one the easiest. Any guide that claims to work without rooting is obsolete, we tested it ourselves to be sure.
Best VPNs to Change Location in Pokemon GO in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Effortlessly Changes Locations So You Can Hunt the World for Rare Pokemon
ExpressVPN lets you switch virtual locations with ease with its user-friendly and intuitive app. It never took longer than a few seconds to connect. Even to servers that are thousands of miles from me. I saved my favorite locations for finding rare Pokemon — Tokyo, San Francisco, and New York. That allowed me to connect to each city with a single tap next time. It also switches seamlessly between WiFi and mobile data to keep your gameplay smooth. ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speeds let you play PoGo without lag. Connecting to remote servers can slow you down; especially over great distances. For glitch-free gaming, I recommend at least 5 Mbps. I tested its UK - London server and my speed was barely affected. I got 30.43 Mbps (a 4% drop), allowing me to play PoGo without interruptions. When I tested a long-distance server in Bulgaria, I got 25.06 Mbps. The fast speeds are partly due to Lightway, ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol built for speed, and battery conservation. There are 3,000 servers in 94 countries, so you have tons of PoGo location options. During my tests, I hopped around the globe collecting rare Pokemon without seeing a single warning message. While connected to Japan - Tokyo, I attended PoGo virtual training in Tokyo. A slight drawback is that ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest compared to other VPNs. The cheapest plan is for the longest subscription term and costs $6.67/month. But, ExpressVPN has promotions running all the time — I was able to get a 49% discount on the long-term plan when I signed up. All ExpressVPN’s subscriptions also come with a money-back guarantee. If you’re not totally satisfied, you’ve got 30 days to claim a full refund. I tested this by contacting ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat. The agent didn’t pressure me or try to persuade me to stay and issued my refund straight away. My money was back in my PayPal account 2 days later. Play PoGo With ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Block Content Feature to Keep You Safe on PoGo
CyberGhost has a highly effective Block content feature for safe gaming on PoGo. Rooting your Android can compromise your security leaving you vulnerable to hackers and cybercriminals. I tested CyberGhost with PoGo for several days without an issue. Other security features are enabled by default; you won’t need to adjust your settings for PoGo. The Android app is simple and user-friendly — making it ideal for VPN beginners. You can connect to servers in 90 countries and save your favorite locations for quick access. While testing, I saved Rome, Barcelona, Las Vegas, and South Korea (Seoul), since I use them regularly. Connecting never took more than a few seconds, even to distant locations. Its fast speeds are perfect for playing PoGo without lag. While connected to UK - London, I got speeds of 24.71 Mbps (about a 6% drop) and a ping of 61 ms. Ping (or latency) measures how responsive a game is to your actions — under 100 ms is ideal for PoGo. You really need low ping to turn a Nice Throw into an Excellent Throw. One thing that annoyed me about CyberGhost is that it logs you out of your account when you reach your device limit (and you have to sign back in on every device). Although ExpressVPN supports fewer connections, you can stay signed in on multiple devices, provided each one isn’t connected to a server. Luckily it didn’t take much time to login again since I use a password manager. CyberGhost has a range of plans, with prices starting from $2.11/month. The longer the plan, the more you save per month. I’d advise against the shortest plan as it’s the most expensive and only offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. You can try CyberGhost with PoGo without risk. With a long-term plan, you’ll have a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. I tested the refund process myself, so I can offer peace of mind. When I contacted 24/7 live support to request a refund, they agreed without any hassle, and I got my money back in 4 days. Play PoGo With CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — Customization Options For Secure Gaming
Private Internet Access has a variety of features to protect your device while you play PoGo. During my tests, I automated PIA to connect whenever I entered a public WiFi hotspot to ensure I’m always protected when playing PoGo. Plus, this helps you bypass media restrictions and bandwidth caps that hotspots impose. In addition, PIA’s block list helps protect rooted Androids, which is useful since they’re more vulnerable to malware. PIA has one of the largest server networks, which is great for globe-hopping on PoGo. It has 53 locations in the US alone, so I could really pinpoint my location to places like like Alaska, Honolulu, and Wilmington. Although my speeds dropped to 10.64 Mbps (from 30.69 Mbps) my ping remained low at 62 ms when connected to UK - London; still enough for lag-free PoGo. The app makes it super-easy to select locations and find your next Gym. You can access the server list with one tap. Alternatively, you can sort countries alphabetically, or by latency to help you find the most responsive server. Ping is even color-coded in green, amber, or red, so I could choose a fast server quickly. The color-coding proved really useful because PIA’s speeds over distance aren’t as impressive as ExpressVPN. When connected to Bulgaria, I got reasonable speeds of 10.71 Mbps, but my ping was 151 ms — below the 100 ms recommended for gaming. That said, there was a wealth of nearby locations that had solid speeds. Short-term plans are pricey, but longer-term plans are significantly cheaper — prices start from just $2.03/month. When I subscribed, I got 3 months of service and a year of encrypted cloud storage thrown in for free. PIA also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, which I tested myself. I contacted the 24/7 live chat to request a refund; the agent asked one troubleshooting question, then agreed. I got my money back the following day — quicker than most VPNs. Play PoGo With PIA
Can I change my Pokemon GO location on iOS devices?
There is no longer a working method for spoofing PoGo on iOS. To change locations, you need a rooted Android and various apps plus a VPN. It was once possible to spoof a Mac or PC with an Android emulator, but Niantic has updated its blocks to stop all Windows/macOS spoofing methods from working.
Is it illegal to change locations on Pokemon GO?
Not unless VPNs or geo-spoofing apps are banned in your location. If these apps are legal in your country, spoofing your PoGo location is perfectly legal. Although, it does go against Niantic’s terms, which could result in a ban. And rooting your Android could invalidate your warranty, but there are no legal reprucussions for this. That being said, some countries (like China and the UAE) ban VPNs altogether. So just be sure to check your local law and play responsibly.
Can I get banned for changing my Pokemon GO location?
Yes, and VPNs with poor security make you especially vulnerable. Niantic has a “gotta catch ‘em all!” policy on VPNs, so a VPN with top-notch security is essential to change your PoGo location. You also need a rooted Android and a GPS spoofing app. In its terms of service, Niantic clearly states that using any technique to alter or falsify your location is cheating. You will receive a warning which could lead to a ban, so I would recommend that you stop spoofing PoGo upon receiving a warning.
How can I play Pokemon GO if I’m unable to move in-game?
You need to install a GPS spoofing app and use the joystick to select your exact PoGo location. Even though you can’t move around much, just let the Pokemon spawn above you; or you can throw a Curveball to catch monsters. That way, you can visit Times Square, NY in the morning, Shinjuku, Tokyo in the afternoon, and Piccadilly Circus, London in the evening without moving from your sofa.
Can I change my Pokemon GO location on PC or Mac?
Unfortunately, you can’t. The only working method for changing your Pokemon Go location is for a rooted Android. To change locations, you need an Android VPN with servers around the world and a GPS spoofing app. Plus, your device needs to run Android OS 6.0 to 10.0. There’s no working method we could find for changing your PoGo location with any other device at time of writing, including PC, Mac, or iPhone.
Is it possible to buy cheap PokeCoins for Pokemon if I change locations?
Yes, a VPN can connect you to remote servers to access Google Play in other countries. The Play Store offers various PoGo premium subscription apps like Pokemon HOME, Poke Genie, and Pokedex, which you can also buy for less abroad. The cheapest place to buy PokeCoins is usually India or Turkey, so you can connect and grab 2,500 coins and save money.
Can I use a free VPN to change my Pokemon GO location?
Probably not. To reliably change your PoGo location and prevent a ban, use a low-cost premium VPN. Free VPNs have limited server locations, bandwidth caps, and severe data limits. So even if you find one that unblocks PoGo, you probably won’t get much time to play and could get thrown out of games due to speed inconsistency. Plus, free servers are usually super crowded since tons of people share them. Also, free VPNs often lack key security features to truly mask your IP, which can lead to warnings rising to a ban. Worse still, they can bombard you with ads, monitor your data and sell it to third parties, and even infect your device with viruses and malware. In short, they’re not worth it, even though they’re free. Play PoGo With ExpressVPN
Change Location in Pokemon GO Today
Changing your Pokemon GO location can be tricky; Niantic uses tough geo-blocks to prevent spoofing. That’s not easy to bypass; you need a rooted Android phone and several third party apps, and a top-notch VPN to do it successfully. After weeks of boosting my XP, I can reveal that the best VPN for spoofing Pokemon GO is ExpressVPN. It can zoom you around the globe in seconds and gives you military-grade def to keep your true location hidden. Plus, it has lightning-fast speeds for gaming. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free because it’s backed by a money-back guarantee. If you find it’s not for you, you have 30 days to claim a full refund.
To summarize, the best VPNs for spoofing Pokemon GO are…
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.
Visit ExpressVPN
