There are several reasons you might want to fake your iPhone’s location, whether to trick location-based apps like Find My or Pokémon Go, or to maintain privacy. While iPhones track location using a combination of GPS, cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, spoofing your GPS location typically requires a computer. This guide will walk you through various methods to achieve this, including software solutions and VPN usage.
Before you start: You will need a computer (Windows or Mac), your iPhone, and a USB or Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to the computer for most methods.
Warning: Jailbreaking your iPhone voids its warranty and significantly increases security risks, making it vulnerable to viruses and malware. Only proceed with jailbreaking if you fully understand these risks.
How to spoof your iPhone’s location
Here are several detailed methods to change your iPhone’s reported location, ranging from simple software tools to more complex procedures.
Method 1: Using 3uTools
- Download 3uTools. Go to 3uTools in a web browser, then click the download button for Windows or Mac. Open the installation file in your Downloads folder and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
- Open 3uTools. You can click Launch after installation or open it from your Start menu or Applications folder.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer. Use the USB or Lightning cable that came with your iPhone to connect it to a free USB port on your computer. If using Windows, ensure both iTunes and the Apple Driver are installed.
- Click Toolbox. This tab is located at the top of the 3uTools window.
- Click Virtual Location. This option has an icon resembling a purple map marker.
- Search for a location. Enter the name of a city, state, country, or address in the search bar, then click the location to select it. If the location is not found, go to latlong.net, enter the location, click Find, and then copy and paste the latitude and longitude into the 3uTools fields.
- Click Modify Virtual Location. This action will change the GPS location on your iPhone. Click Ok when the process is complete. To revert to your actual location, simply restart your iPhone.
Method 2: Using iAnyGo
- Download and install iAnyGo. Go to Tenorshare iAnyGo in a web browser, click Free Download, then open the installation file in your Downloads folder. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
- Launch iAnyGo. It has an icon with a purple map marker. You can open it from the Windows Start menu or the Applications folder on Mac. You may need to agree to the terms and conditions the first time you use it.
- Connect your iPhone and click Next. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB-C or Lightning cable, then click Next. If necessary drivers are missing, the app will prompt you to install them.
- Enter the name of a location or click on the map. Enter the name of a city, state, country, or address in the search bar, or simply click a location directly on the map.
- Click Start to Modify. This is the purple button below the search bar that changes your iPhone’s location. The app recommends closing all location-based apps on your iPhone before changing your location; ensure they are closed and then click Continue.
- Move your location. iAnyGo offers several ways to simulate movement:
- Single-Spot movement: Click the icon resembling two map markers (upper-right corner), then enter the address or click the spot. Use the slider bar to select the speed and click Start Navigation.
- Multi-Spot Movement: Click the icon with multiple map markers (upper-right corner). Enter multiple addresses or click locations on the map. Use the slider bar to select the speed and click Start Navigation.
- Joystick Movement: Click the icon resembling a controller D-pad to move your location using the arrow or WASD keys on your keyboard.
- Jump Teleport: Click the icon resembling an arrow inside a circle to jump instantly from one location to the next.
- Click the circle-back icon to restore your actual location. This icon resembles a circle with an arrow at the end and is located in the lower-right corner.
Method 3: Using a jailbroken iPhone
- Jailbreak your iPhone. Due to Apple’s security policies, direct App Store apps cannot spoof GPS location. Jailbreaking is required to install third-party apps for this purpose. Warning: Jailbreaking your iPhone voids its warranty and increases its risk of security breaches. Proceed at your own risk. The process varies by iPhone model and iOS version, so research specific guides online.
- Open Cydia. This is the unofficial app store installed when you jailbreak your iPhone.
- Download and install Location Faker. Tap the magnifying glass icon and search for “Location Faker,” then tap the option to install it.
- Open the Location Faker app and enable it. Tap Location Faker to open it, then tap the toggle switch.
- Enter the latitude and longitude of the location you want to spoof. If you don’t know the coordinates, you can find them using latlong.net.
- Tap Apply. This will apply the spoofed location to your phone’s GPS. To stop spoofing and return to your normal location, open the Location Faker app and tap the toggle switch to disable it.
Method 4: Using a VPN
- Download and install a VPN app. Many VPN services (free and paid) like NordVPN, ProtonVPN, Express VPN, Hotspot Shield, and Surfshark are available on the App Store. A VPN will spoof your IP address location but not your GPS (Location Services) location, meaning it won’t trick apps that rely on GPS. However, it can help access geo-restricted content or apps. Some apps may use both GPS and IP to verify location.
- Open the VPN app and sign up for an account. Most VPN services require account creation. Follow the prompts to set up your account.
- Select a server location. Most VPN apps allow you to select the location of the server you want to connect to. Choose a server outside your current location.
- Activate the VPN. Tap the button to start the VPN connection. This will filter all your internet data through a server in your chosen location.
Pro tip: Always verify your spoofed location using a different app or service that relies on location data to ensure the method worked as intended.
Why this matters
Understanding how to spoof your iPhone’s location offers significant advantages, particularly for privacy and accessing geo-restricted content. By masking your true whereabouts, you can prevent unwanted tracking from certain apps or individuals, enhancing your personal security in an increasingly data-driven world.
Furthermore, location spoofing opens up possibilities for interacting with global digital content and services that might otherwise be unavailable in your region. Whether for gaming, streaming, or social networking, manipulating your virtual location provides a layer of freedom and control over your online experience, allowing you to bypass geographical limitations with ease.
