How to spoof Pokemon GO location in 2022 (quick and easy)

Pokémon GO is one of the most famous mobile games, with millions of players globally. However, depending on where you live, you may not enjoy the game sufficiently. Fortunately, there is a workaround by changing your location to any region globally.

Combining a GPS spoofing app and a decent VPN service like ExpressVPN makes it possible to change your location on Pokemon GO. As a result, you’ll be able to hunt in your locality and find creatures in other countries.

This article will show you how to spoof your location on Pokémon GO. So, read on to find out how to do it.

How to spoof Pokemon GO location – The quick guide

1. Select a dependable VPN service – We recommend ExpressVPN because of its stealthy privacy and fast speeds.
2. Install a GPS spoofing app.
3. Connect to any VPN server location of your choice.
4. Download and play Pokemon.
5. Explore your new area and hunts.

Why do you need a VPN to change the Pokemon GO location

Although it isn’t clear how the game can trace your actual location, it’s likely to rely on your IP address. So the game can also check whether your IP address matches the GPS coordinates of your mobile device. If Pokemon GO finds any discrepancies, it can ban you from playing for a week or more.

This is where a virtual private network (VPN) comes in. It will mask your actual IP address, making it challenging to identify your location. This will help you to access Pokemon GO in countries that would have been otherwise impossible.

A VPN also uses encryption to hide your activities. As a result, hackers and malicious third parties will not see what you are doing online. This adds an extra protection layer when playing Pokemon GO.

Top 5 apps to spoof Pokemon GO GPS

Usually, a VPN will come in handy to change your location when you connect to a server. However, as we mentioned earlier, Pokemon GO also uses coordinates to determine your whereabouts. Therefore, you need a GPS spoofing app to stop the game from noticing that you have changed your location.

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of Pokemon spoofing apps, so choosing the right one may be challenging. That’s why we did thorough research and chose the top 5 location spoofers for Android and iOS devices.

1. Fake GPS location – Android

This is perhaps the best Pokemon GPS spoofing app for Android, with over 10 million installations and a 4.6/5 rating on Google Play Store. The app effectively changes your Pokemon GO region, although it hasn’t been updated recently. Thankfully, it is absolutely free.

Your current residence will show on the interface when you open the app. Now, tap on the search function on the top right and input your desired region. This will alter your location on the map. So, go ahead to play in whatever region of the world you want without getting noticed.

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2. Dr. Fone – iOS

Dr. Fone will help you change your location on Pokemon GO without compromising your security on your iOS device. The game won’t notice the effects of this tool if you act wisely. Fortunately, it has a user-friendly interface, enabling you to spoof your location with a button click. Besides, the app will help you simulate walking between two or multiple spots.

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3. iOS Roaming guide – iOS

Finding a dependable Pokemon GO location spoofing app for iOS is not a walk in the park. This is because most of them lack updates and are easily detected by the game. The iOS Roaming guide is an excellent option and does the job well. What’s more, you can get it totally free.

Moreover, the app is effortless to use. For example, you’ll only need to drop the pin in your preferred location, and it will do the rest. Another easy method is by using the search function. The problem is that the app is not available on Apple App Store. You’ll have to first install Cydia to get it. We’ve explained the whole process below.

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4. Fake GPS – iOS

Fake GPS is another popular app for spoofing GPS on Android devices. It has been downloaded over 5 million times and received a 4.3/5 rating.

The app was recently updated in April 2021, indicating that the developers are still maintaining it. Remarkably, you can change your location by entering exact coordinates. In addition, there is an option to tweak the GPS settings to check for accuracy, altitude, and update interval.

Another notable feature of this Pokemon GO location spoofer is the Movement simulation. It randomizes your location frequently to make you appear like you are hunting Pokemon. It’s worth noting that the app supports ads and in-app purchases, which might turn off some users.

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5. iTools by ThinkSky – iOS

This GPS spoofing tool for iPhone is packed with tons of features to enable you to manage your device like a pro. The best thing about iTools is that it doesn’t require jailbreaking to use it on your phone. However, there isn’t an iOS app, so you’ll have to use the desktop version instead. 

The location spoofing feature is reliable and straightforward. Just launch the map interface, drop the pin to whatever location you want and begin the simulation. Luckily, iTools will retain the location you choose even if the device disconnects from the system.

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How to change the Pokemon GO account region

It is relatively simple to spoof the Pokemon GO region, especially when using an Android device.

Go to ‘Settings,’ then ‘About device,’ and click the ‘Build number‘ seven times to activate the developer mode.

Next, return to ‘Settings,’ and you’ll find the ‘Developer options‘ tab. Tap on it and check the box that reads ‘Allow mock locations.’

In addition, you’ll have to install a masking module known as Mock Locations. It is intended to prevent Pokemon GO from noticing that you have enabled mock locations in your device’s settings. However, you will have to root your Android device, which can be risky. So, proceed cautiously.

The final step is to set up a VPN (as recommended above, ExpressVPN is our number one recommendation). A geo-blocked Pokemon GO can detect the IP address of the device you are using does not match your coordinates. However, a VPN will encrypt your connection and route your traffic through your chosen server. It will help to hide your IP address.

After installing the VPN app on your device, select the server in the location where you want to hunt Pokemon. Then, open the spoofing app and match the location. At this point, your Pokemon account will change.

On the other hand, you’ll have to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad to change your Pokemon account region. Next is to download Cydia. After that, go to ‘location’ and tap ‘Protect.’ This will make it easy to use a map to set a fake location. Finally, you can connect to a VPN server and play Pokemon GO.

Tweaking Pokemon GO GPS location on your device

Spoofing your Pokemon GO location will depend on the device you are using. Remember, as covered in the previous sections, you need to install a GPS spoofing app besides the VPN. We’ll highlight the process for Android and iOS below.

Spoofing Pokemon GO region on Android

You cannot spoof Pokemon GO without rooting your Android device, but it’s an easy process if you have no problem rooting your device. Just use the easy-to-follow steps below:

1. Choose a reliable VPN service and subscribe. We recommend ExpressVPN as it’s the best VPN for gaming on Android
2. Download and install the VPN app
3. Visit Google Play Store and install a GPS spoofing app
4. Go to your device settings and click ‘About Phone’
5. Tap on the ‘Build Number’ seven times to switch on the developer mode
6.  Return to settings and click ‘Developer options’
7. Check the box on ‘Mock Locations App’ or ‘Allow Mock Locations’
8. Root your device
9. Download a module known as ‘Mock Locations’ and turn it on
10. Log in to your VPN app and connect to a server in the location you’d like to play Pokemon GO
11. Turn on the spoofing app and choose the exact location as well
12. Start playing Pokemon GO

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Spoofing Pokemon GO on iOS

The process of spoofing your Pokemon GO region on an iPhone is also straightforward. However, you may need to jailbreak your phone and even install third-party apps. Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Pick a dependable VPN provider and register for the service. ExpressVPN is still the best option and comes with a 49% discount
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device
3. Jailbreak your phone to change your location
4. Go to Cydia, a third-party app store that’s only accessible with jailbroken devices
5. Download tsProtector to mask your phone’s jailbreaking status
6. Install an iOS Roaming guide or any other location spoofing app
7. Confirm the tsProtector, and iOS Roaming guide are running simultaneously
8. Select a location in the iOS Roaming guide
9. Log into your VPN and match the location on the iOS Roaming guide app
10. All is set, and you can start to play Pokemon GO

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Using a VPN and still can’t access the Pokemon GO location

One common issue that most Pokemon GO Players face is ‘error 12: failed to detect location’. This glitch may be a result of several reasons, including;

• Your device is incapable of receiving GPS signals because of your coordinates
• You have enabled ‘Find my Device’ on your phone
• Mock location is not enabled in your phone’s settings

The easiest way to address these problems is by rebooting the location service on your phone. Just go to settings to access the location option. Then, tap to disable and enable it again.

Alternatively, you can try to clear the data and cache in your game. To do it, go to your phone’s settings and navigate to the Pokemon GO app. Then, head over to storage and select to clear cache and data.

Best VPNs for Pokemon GO

A VPN is your best bet if you don’t want Niantic to see that you are spoofing your location. There’ll be slight suspicion that your location is fake if your IP address matches your coordinates. With a VPN, your IP address will even become undiscoverable.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN’s server network is massive, with more than 3,000 servers spreading across 94 countries worldwide. Fortunately, the provider has servers in countries with weak VPN presence, such as Turkey, Venezuela, and Hong Kong. This allows you to play Pokemon in more regions.

It can be unpleasant for your connection to slow down while you are catching Pokemon. However, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs we have tested lately. In fact, your speed will remain consistent on both local and long-distance servers. Also, it provides unlimited data and bandwidth, giving you a smooth Pokemon GO gaming experience.

ExpressVPN will protect your IP address and traffic with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. It also uses a 4096-bit RSA key, AES 256-bit cipher, SHA-512 HMAC, and perfect forward secrecy. So in layman’s terms, Niantic cannot see when you are spoofing your Pokemon GO location.

Apart from the industry-standard OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec protocols, ExpressVPN also offers a proprietary protocol known as Lightway. It is lightweight, so it’ll drain less battery, making it a great choice for mobile phones.

The VPN also provides an automatic kill switch known as Network Lock. It is designed to prevent your traffic from leaking if the VPN connection drops. This will ensure that your IP address does not get exposed when playing Pokemon.

ExpressVPN works well with almost all devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Thankfully, all the apps are effortless to use. It allows you to use five devices simultaneously, but you can get unlimited connections if you install the app on your router.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark recently improved its services by expanding the network to over 3200 servers in 65 countries. In addition, it has a ‘Quick Connect’ feature that automatically chooses the fastest server for your connection. Alternatively, you can select the location you want and connect manually, which is also straightforward.

Is Surfshark fast enough to handle Pokemon GO? Yes, under certain circumstances. We didn’t experience any connection issues, especially when using nearby servers. However, the speed dropped slightly when we connected to distant servers like New Zealand. Also, the ping rate increased significantly, resulting in lagging when playing Pokémon.

Surfshark safeguards your IP address with AES 256-bit encryption in conjunction with OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. The VPN also supports a chaining mechanism with the MultiHop feature. Furthermore, it allows you to route your traffic through two servers instead of one, adding an extra security layer.

When using a VPN, your IP address can be exposed if the encrypted connection drops unexpectedly. Surfshark offers a kill switch that prevents this from happening. Unfortunately, unlike other VPNs, the feature is not enabled automatically, so you’ll need to activate it manually. Luckily, it is easily accessible on the base connection screen.

The camouflage mode is another impressive feature that Surfshak provides. It conceals that you are protecting your traffic with a VPN and makes your connection seem normal. This is helpful if you live in a country that restricts VPNs.

In contrast with ExpressVPN, Surfshark offers an inbuilt adblocker. In addition, it prevents malware and trackers that might compromise your security and privacy.

As we’ve continuously mentioned in this article, Pokémon uses your GPS to trace your location besides your IP address. Surfshark offers a GPS spoofing feature that makes you seem like you’re physically located in the same place as the VPN server. Both your GPS and IP address are hidden, so nobody can track your whereabouts. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Pokémon GO.

Surfshark allows you to have unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription. This means you can play Pokémon on as many devices as you want. Thankfully, it is compatible with major operating systems such as Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS.

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3. NordVPN

NordVPN runs more than 5,240 servers in 60 countries, even in hard-to-reach locations. The US and the UK contain most of the servers, but you’ll still find reliable connections in Australia, Asia, and Africa. Moreover, it’s one of the best VPNs to bypass geo-restrictions, enabling you to unblock more Pokémon features.

Pokémon GO involves fast-paced battles, so you need a VPN with sufficient speed. Fortunately, NordVPN maintains a steady speed on most of the servers, regardless of the distance. This makes it easy to play Pokémon from anywhere lag-free.

Some countries, such as China, have strong firewalls that detect VPN traffic. NordVPN has a solution for this with a feature known as obfuscation. It hides your VPN traffic to make you look like you are accessing the internet without a VPN.

When it comes to security, NordVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption. This ensures that Niantic or any other third party does not access your IP address. In addition, there is Perfect Forward Secrecy that changes the encryption key with each new session.

One of the reasons why the VPN offers great speed is because of the proprietary NordLynx protocol. It is based on the speed-improving WireGuard protocol, and NordVPN has set it as default on all the apps. Other protocol options include OpenVPN UDP/TCP, PPTP, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec.

The kill switch feature of NordVPN will allow you to play Pokémon GO safely without worrying about your IP address getting leaked. It will completely cut your internet access if the VPN connection drops. Although it is not enabled by default, the setup process is straightforward.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has a modest network of over 1,350 servers in 55 countries. We did a speed test on some servers to ascertain whether the speed is as fast as the provider claims. First, we used the quick connection feature that should connect us to the fastest server.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work properly and even caused our speed to slow down. Luckily, the selection list shows the traffic load on each server. We manually chose the server with the lowest traffic, and our speed improved significantly.

ProtonVPN is packed with advanced security features to secure your traffic when playing Pokémon GO. First, it masks and keeps your IP address safe with the in-built DNS leak protection. Second, AES 256-bit encryption and 4096-bit RSA key will ensure that Niantic does not trace your location. Finally, Perfect Forward Secrecy secures your connections by generating a new encryption key for each session.

Unlike some established services like ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN offers an ad blocker dubbed NetShield. Apart from blocking intrusive advertisements, it also prevents malware and trackers.

ProtonVPN provides a free version and three paid packages. Unfortunately, the free plan is limited, allowing you to access three servers and connect one device. Also, the connection speed is relatively slow. However, you’ll be able to use all servers and get better speed if you upgrade your subscription.

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5. IPVanish

Buffering can be very frustrating when playing Pokémon GO. This is a common issue with most VPNs because of the encryption process. However, you’ll barely notice any speed loss when you connect to IPVanish servers.

Furthermore, IPVanish is compatible with all major platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. In addition, the provider allows you to have an unlimited number of devices on a single account. This makes it an excellent option for tech enthusiasts or large families.

At times your DNS requests can leak accidentally, exposing your IP address even when using a VPN. This will cause Niantic to see that you are spoofing your location, resulting in one week ban or worse. IPVanish provides DNS leak protection to prevent this from happening. It also uses the unbreakable AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch to keep you safe.

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Will Pokemon GO spoofing injection APKs do the trick too?

There has been a rumor circulating that an injection APK can help you to spoof your Pokemon GO. Is there any truth to it? Let’s find out.

Spoofing locations has become a big thing in the Pokemon community. So, why would people want the game to think that they are in a different location?

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has hindered traveling. However, trainers might want to go after Pokemon locked in a different location. This is the reason why new ways to spoof the location are becoming popular. Could the injection APK be the latest spoofing innovation?

Unfortunately, this method does not work. It is a scam and will not help you to change your Pokemon GO region. The idea behind it is to install a joystick to control your avatar and move around to whatever location you want.

This is not the truth, as the app does not have a joystick. Instead, it will prompt you to install other apps., which sometimes won’t download correctly. Also, if you go back to Pokemon GO, there’ll be no way to change your location.

Allegedly, injection APK developers earn money for each download. So, they highly advertise it so that they can capitalize on a useless function. 

Moreover, the app is associated with the fraud. For example, some Reddit users claim that they have noticed unauthorized purchases from their financial accounts after downloading the app.

It is important to know that Pokemon GO prohibits spoofing in general. In fact, the game treats it as cheating, and you can get three strikes. For instance, you’ll get a week-long ban for the first offense and a monthly ban for doing it the second time. You risk getting your account banned permanently if you are caught for the third time.

Conclusion

Although Pokemon GO is available worldwide, your location may hinder you from enjoying the game fully. However, spoofing your GPS and changing your region with a VPN gives you a realm of opportunities. For example, you’ll be able to unblock characters and access new cities and streets.

The trick is to match your GPS with your IP address so that Niantic (the American software development company behind Pokemon GO) cannot see that you’ve spoofed your location. Besides hiding your IP address, a VPN will also protect you from hackers and malicious third parties.

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