When you use Snapchat, third parties can detect your home IP address, allowing cyber-stalkers to detect your approximate location. Hackers can use your IP to infect your devices with malware, add them to a botnet, or steal data. Although these attacks are relatively rare on Snapchat, you could be at risk if you are an influencer or a user with an openly advertised Snapchat account. You can protect yourself by changing your Snapchat location with a VPN.
When you connect to a VPN for Snapchat, you can access Snapchat in countries where it is blocked and use Snapchat without revealing your home IP address. The encryption provided by a VPN also lets you bypass Snapchat blocks at work or on campus.
Not all VPNs are fast and secure enough to use Snapchat privately, so you must pick a suitable VPN provider. This guide explains how to change your Snapchat location and recommends the best VPNs to protect yourself against hackers and cyber stalkers on Snapchat.
How to change your Snapchat location with a VPN
Using a VPN to hide your IP address and change your Snapchat location is easy as long as you stick to a recommended VPN for Snapchat. To help you out, we have provided a step-by-step guide below that includes the best VPNs to use
- Choose a VPN for Snapchat. We recommend NordVPN because it has fast servers in multiple countries that work to unblock Snapchat. NordVPN offers robust encryption and a wide choice of privacy features that will help protect you when using Snapchat. Alternatively, you can use Surfshark, a highly secure VPN that changes your Snapchat location without breaking the bank. Finally, we recommend ExpressVPN which is a fantastic all-rounder, albeit a touch expensive.
- Follow our link to subscribe to the VPN. You will automatically benefit from our coupon code to get the VPN for less.
- Download and install the VPN application onto your Snapchat device. Our recommendations include Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac apps that let you use the VPN on any device.
- Connect to a VPN server in the location needed. If you want to bypass a Snapchat block at work or in a country that restricts Snapchat, you can connect to any country where Snapchat is available to change your IP address. If you want to change your Snapchat location to a specific country, pick a server there.
That’s it! Your home IP address is concealed as soon as the VPN connects, and you appear elsewhere. This will let you bypass any Snapchat blocks and use Snapchat with added privacy and security.
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What are the benefits of using a VPN for Snapchat?
There are numerous benefits to using a VPN with Snapchat. We have included the main advantages of a Snapchat VPN below:
- Enhanced privacy: A VPN conceals your real IP address from Snapchat and other online services. This makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activities back to your location.
- Security against cyber threats: By masking your IP address, a VPN reduces the risk of targeted cyber attacks. This can help protect against DDoS attacks, hacking, cyberbullying, harassment, and potentially online stalking.
- Access to region-locked content: By using a VPN, you can access Snapchat content and features that might be restricted or unavailable in your current location. This includes using Snapchat in any country where it has been blocked.
Related: Is Snapchat encrypted?
Which countries block Snapchat?
Snapchat is completely banned in China, Iran, Cuba, and North Korea. The service also suffers from intermittent blocks in countries like Russia and Algeria. If you live in or visit any of these countries, then you need to use a VPN to regain access to Snapchat.
Connecting to a VPN allows you to bypass international Snapchat blocks in complete privacy. The encryption provided by a VPN means nobody can detect that you are using Snapchat.
Why should I change my Snapchat location?
There are methods that people can use to track your IP address on Snapchat. These usually require you to follow a link or at least communicate directly with the individual attempting to track you. By using a VPN to hide your IP address and change your Snapchat location, you give yourself peace of mind by ensuring that even if someone tries, they will not be able to figure out your real IP address.
How do I update my location settings?
In addition to changing your location using a VPN, you can update your Snapchat account settings to prevent other users from detecting your location.
By default, Snapchat has features that allow all users to know where you are. These location settings are invasive and can result in unnecessary risks, which is why we recommend updating your Snapchat location settings to shore up your digital footprint.
Below, we have included the steps needed to disable location sharing on Snapchat:
- Launch the Snapchat app
- Swipe down from the camera screen to open the Snapchat map (Snap Map)
- Click the gear icon in the top right of Snap Map
- To completely disable location tracking select Ghost Mode
- Snapchat will now ask you how long you want to keep Ghost Mode activated, select “Until turned off.”
That’s it! You will now need to switch location tracking back on manually to share your location with Snapchat users. If you prefer to share your location with your friends, you can select either of the following settings instead of Ghost Mode:
- My Friends: This will allow all your friends to see your location on the Snap Map but will prevent strangers from knowing your location.
- Select Friends: This setting lets you manually choose a specific group of friends that can track your location in the Snap Map.
Remember that by using a VPN, you can successfully change your Snapchat location. You can leverage a VPN to make yourself appear in a different location on the Snap Map. This is perfect if you want to share your location on Snapchat but want to make yourself appear somewhere more exciting.
Can I use a VPN to change my location on Snap Map?
Yes. When you connect to a VPN server in a different country, you will successfully alter your location in Snapchat. This lets you control where you appear on the Snap Map.
Can someone detect my exact location via Snapchat?
Yes. The Snapchat Map feature is extremely detailed and allows people to share their exact location. This is supposed to benefit meeting up with travel buddies, going on dates, or meeting friends while out and about. Unfortunately, this level of location data can also lead to severe security risks, including stalking and harassment.
It is vital that all Snapchat users and the parental guardians of children who use the platform carefully monitor their settings and are aware of the risks involved. Parents should talk to their children about how the location feature could be exploited to track them and work with their children to ensure they know how best to use the available features to protect themselves.
Does Snapchat block VPNs?
Yes. As is the case with many other online services, Snapchat blocks VPNs. As a result, very few VPNs work to bypass Snapchat blocks. This means that you must stick to recommended providers only.
To help you out, we have included a full list of the best VPNs for Snapchat below. These servers have been tried and tested and provide watertight privacy and location-changing capabilities for your Snapchat:
- NordVPN: This is the top choice for using Snapchat, renowned for its speed and reliability. It operates a large network of servers that ensure smooth performance with Snapchat and can easily bypass geo-restrictions. NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and works with Netflix.
- Surfshark: A budget-friendly VPN ideal for accessing Snapchat and a wide range of websites and content. Boasts strong security features and supports unlimited VPN connections. With impressive speeds, Surfshark enhances your experience on social media and for streaming.
- ExpressVPN: Known for its lightning-fast speeds, ExpressVPN provides a seamless Snapchat experience and excels in unblocking popular streaming services. It emphasizes user privacy and security, incorporating 256-bit AES encryption. Works with Netflix US and other popular platforms.
- CyberGhost VPN: This user-friendly VPN helps conceal your real location on Snapchat and secures your messages with encryption. It features an extensive server network and robust security measures, making it perfect for beginners.
- IPVanish: With its straightforward interface and superb speeds, IPVanish supports unlimited connections and effectively unblocks Snapchat and other geo-restricted websites and services, including VoIP apps.
- PrivateVPN: Consistently overcomes barriers to access Snapchat abroad or at work. It is a no-logs VPN that offers unlimited bandwidth and allows up to 10 devices to connect simultaneously. Works with dozens of popular streaming services.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Features a large server network and strong unblocking capabilities, backed by a reliable network, strong encryption, and decent support.
- PureVPN: Low-cost VPN to access Snapchat in regions with strict online censorship. It delivers high speeds and includes a robust set of security features.
- ProtonVPN: A fast, zero-logs VPN equipped with numerous advanced privacy features. It easily unblocks Snapchat and many other regionally restricted sites. Perfect for torrenting.
Does Snapchat provide encryption?
Snapchat offers partial data protection. While photo and video Snaps sent directly between users are protected with end-to-end encryption, this does not extend to text chats or group messages, which are only encrypted in transit.
A VPN can add an additional layer of encryption to your data when it travels across the internet, enhancing overall digital privacy.
Once your data reaches Snapchat’s servers, the VPN no longer protects it. Snapchat could theoretically access the contents of your messages. Follow the link to find out more.
Can I use a free VPN?
Snapchat is known to block VPNs, and free VPNs are usually the first to lose access.
Free VPNs only have a few servers, which makes it trivial for Snapchat to spot and block them. The very best VPNs work hard to upgrade and improve their network constantly. This means their networks provide access to popular services like Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, Discord, Reddit, Netflix, etc.
Most free VPNs have invasive privacy policies, weak encryption, and other vulnerabilities, including DNS and IP leaks. Besides these problems, free VPNs have been found to hide spyware in their apps.
Most free VPNs are a huge risk to your privacy and the safety of your devices. Please stick to reputable VPN services that take data privacy seriously.
