Updating Your Location on Any Platform: Step-by-Step Guide

Sometimes, getting the best use out of technology requires some workarounds. These workarounds can help you with things like switching your dating profile to a new location when you’re in a new state or looking up restaurants in the city you will be vacationing in next year. Sometimes, these simple requests can be really easy – and sometimes they can be quite complicated! 

Whether you’re planning a trip, catching up after a move, or trying to access geo-restricted content, it’s helpful to know how to modify your virtual location on the platforms you use. 

Our guide covers location-changing techniques for a wide range of useful apps, including mapping and navigation services, dating platforms, food delivery apps, and streaming services. Let’s take a look at the official methods provided by the apps, workarounds for apps that don’t make it easy, and the process of using a VPN when you can’t change your location in the app.

Although changing your location can be incredibly useful and convenient, it’s important to know that some methods may violate an app’s terms of service or raise privacy concerns. In this guide, we aim to provide you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about when and how to change your location across various digital platforms.

Mapping & Navigation Apps

There are plenty of reasons why you might need to change your location on one of these platforms: 

• To plan routes from a different starting point
• To explore an area you’re planning to visit
• To check traffic conditions in another location
• To find businesses or services in a specific area
• To save offline maps for a future trip
• To share your location with others (by setting a custom location)
• To estimate travel times from different starting points
• To view public transit options in other cities
• To check parking availability in a different area
• To explore Street View or satellite imagery of distant locations

Changing your location in these apps can be particularly helpful for trip planning, helping others navigate, or simply exploring areas you’re interested in without physically being there. It’s a powerful feature for both practical use and virtual exploration.

Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps are the most popular mobile mapping apps, but there are others like Open Street Map, MapQuest, and MapsMe. 

How to change your location on Google Maps

You must be signed in to set, edit, and find your home and work on the map. Your labeled places are private and only visible to you when you are logged in.

1. Open Google Maps app on your device
2. Tap your profile icon, then select “Labeled”
3. Choose “Home” or “Work”
4. Enter or edit the address

How to delete your home address

1. Open Google Maps app
2. Tap your profile icon, then “Labeled”
3. Next to “Home” or “Work”, tap More > “Remove home” or “Remove work”

How to save directions to home

1. Open your Google Maps app
2. Search for your home/work address
3. Select your mode of transportation
4. Tap “Save” at the bottom

How to customize your Home/Work icon

1. Open your Google Maps app
2. Tap your profile icon, then “Labeled”
3. Next to “Home” or “Work”, tap More > “Change icon”
4. Select a new icon and tap “Save”

How to change your location on Waze on Android

On Waze, you don’t need to change your location. You just need to set a different starting point for navigation purposes. Note that this feature is currently not supported on Android Auto, Android Automotive (AAOS), and CarPlay.

1. Open the Waze app
2. Search for your destination
3. Tap your preferred start point on the map
4. In the pop-up window, tap “More”
5. Tap “Set as start point”

Set your destination to plan for a later trip

1. Search for your destination
2. Tap your destination on the map
3. Tap “Leave later” to plan a future drive
4. Select the day and time you want to arrive
5. Tap “Save”

How to change your location on Waze on iOS

These steps are very similar to using an Android device, but there are some additional features to note.

1. Open the Waze app
2. Search for your destination
3. Tap your preferred start point on the map
4. In the pop-up window, tap “More”
5. Tap “Set as start point”

How to add a saved place

1. Open Waze
2. Swipe up
3. Long-tap the address you want to save
4. Tap “Info”
5. Tap “Save”
6. Enter a name for your saved place
7. Tap “Done”

How to adjust your location settings

1. Open Settings on your device
2. Tap “Privacy & Security”
3. Tap “Location Services”
4. Tap “Waze”
5. Select “Always” or “While Using the App”
6. Turn on “Precise Location”

How to change your location on Apple Maps

In iOS 18, you can set different home/work addresses in Contacts and Maps. Weather and other apps use the Contacts address, while navigation uses the Maps address. Use these instructions to update your location on Apple Maps. 

1. Open Maps
2. Scroll down to Library and tap “Add”
3. Type your new address
4. Under “Type”, select “My home” or “My work”
5. Optionally, tap “Add to Contact Card” to update Contacts
6. Tap “Done”

How to update your address using the Contacts App

1. Open Contacts and tap “My Card”
2. Tap “Edit”
3. Select “Add Address” and enter details
4. Choose the label (home, work, etc.)
5. Tap “Done”

How to refine your location accuracy

1. In Maps, go to Library
2. Long-press the location icon you want to adjust
3. Select “Edit Details”
4. Tap “Refine Location on the Map”
5. Move the icon to the exact spot
6. Tap “Done”

How to remove a saved location

1. In Maps, go to Library
2. Long-press the address you want to remove
3. Tap “Unpin”

How to update your address settings on macOS

1. Open Contacts
2. Go to Card > “Go to My Card”
3. Click “Edit”
4. Add or modify address details
5. Click “Done”

Dating Apps

Most of the time, it makes sense to set your dating app location to your home to get a reasonable radius for your matches. However, there are times when you may want to change your location. Perhaps you are traveling and want to meet locals, or maybe you want to connect with people from a different area than the one where you live. 

However, most dating apps don’t allow you to make these changes for free. If you want to change your location using a free account, you may need to try some workarounds. 

We’ll cover the instructions for Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, as these are some of the biggest apps in the US. 

Also, be aware of potential dating scams when interacting with matches from different locations. 

How to change your location on Tinder

There are a few methods for changing your location on Tinder. Some require you to have a paid version of the app, rather than the basic free plan. 

Method 1: Using Tinder Passport (Paid Feature)

1. Purchase a Tinder Plus, Gold, or Platinum subscription
2. Open the Tinder app
3. Tap your profile icon
4. Go to Settings
5. Tap “Location”
6. Select “Add New” and choose a new location

Method 2: Using a VPN (free or paid)

1. Downloa.d and install a VPN app on your device
2. Log in to your VPN account
3. Connect to a server in your desired location
4. Open Tinder and start swiping in the new location

Keep reading for more instructions on how to use a VPN!

Method 3: Manually changing your IP address

On an iOS device:

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap “Wi-Fi”
3. Tap “Network”
4. Under IPv4 address, tap “Configure IP”
5. Select “Manual”
6. Enter your new IP address

On an Android device: 

1. Go to Settings
2. Select “Wireless & Networks”
3. Choose your Wi-Fi network
4. Tap “Modify Network”
5. Tap “Advanced Options”
6. Tap “Change Your IP Address” and enter your new address

Method 4: Using third-party apps

1. Download a location-changing app (e.g., Dr.Fone)
2. Open the app and select a new location
3. Open Tinder to see matches in the new area

Method 5: Changing Facebook location (If your Tinder is linked to Facebook)

1. Go to your Facebook page
2. Click “Settings”
3. Click “Location”
4. Click “Never” to disable GPS tracking
5. Change your IP address using one of the above methods

Note: Be cautious when using third-party apps or changing your location, as it may violate Tinder’s terms of service. 

How to change your location on Bumble

Bumble Premium makes it incredibly easy to change the location where you are searching for connections.

Method 1: Using Travel Mode (Bumble Premium required)

Travel Mode allows you to appear in another city for seven days.

1. Open the Bumble app
2. Tap the gear icon in the upper left corner to open Settings
3. Scroll to the Location section at the bottom
4. Tap “Travel to…”
5. Search for and select the city you want to appear in

To turn off Travel Mode:

1. Open Settings in the Bumble app
2. Select the blue Travel button
3. Choose “Current location” at the top

Note: Your location will show as the center of the chosen city, and other users will see an indicator that you’re using Travel Mode.

Method 2: Changing your location without Travel Mode

On the Bumble Mobile App:

Without Travel Mode, your location updates automatically based on your phone’s GPS. To update:

1. Ensure your phone’s location services are on
2. Open the Bumble app
3. Your location should update automatically

On Bumble Web:

1. Click your profile image in the upper left corner
2. Click “Settings”
3. Scroll to “Location”
4. Click the refresh icon next to the city name

Note: If you use both the app and web version, your profile will default to your phone’s location each time you launch the app.

How to change your location on Hinge 

Unlike some other dating apps, Hinge allows you to change your location for free without requiring a paid subscription. Hinge doesn’t automatically update your location based on your device’s GPS or IP address. You can also set your location preferences as “Dealbreakers” or regular preferences. 

Method 1: Using the “My Neighborhood” feature

1. Open the Hinge app and log in
2. Go to Settings
3. Select “Preferences”
4. Click “My Neighborhood”
5. Tap the compass icon to set your location to your current position, or
6. Pinch and zoom on the map to find and select your desired location

Method 2: Changing your profile settings

On an iOS device: 

1. Go to Settings in the Hinge app
2. Click the pencil symbol next to your name
3. Scroll down to “Edit”
4. Tap on “Vitals”
5. Tap the toggle next to “Location”
6. Enter your desired region
7. Click the less-than icon at the bottom
8. Click “Done”

On an Android device:

1. Go to Settings in the Hinge app
2. Click on the pencil icon
3. Scroll to “Edit”
4. Click “Vitals”
5. Under “Location,” enter your desired region
6. Tap the circle next to “Visible on Profile” if you want your new location to be visible
7. Click the less-than icon to save

Food Delivery Apps 

You may want to change your location on a food delivery app to browse restaurants in a different area or order food for someone in a different location. Most of the time, you can put any delivery address into these apps, but if you want to change your primary location, these are the steps to take for the most popular apps. 

How to change your location on DoorDash 

DoorDash allows you to change your location easily, whether you’re a consumer or a Dasher (delivery driver). Let’s start with the option for app users who are ordering food. 

Method 1: Using the DoorDash App

1. Open the DoorDash app on your Android or iPhone
2. Tap on the “Profile” icon at the top-right corner
3. Scroll to “Account Settings” and select “Address”
4. Enter your new address in the “Search” box
5. Select the relevant option and choose “Save Address” to confirm

Method 2: Using the DoorDash Website

1. Go to the DoorDash official website and log in
2. Click on your current address at the top of the page
3. Enter the new pickup address
4. Enter your apartment details (if applicable) and adjust other information
5. Click “Save” to finish

How to change your DoorDash location a Dasher

But what if you are using the app as a Dasher, not a consumer? 

Method 1: Standard “DashNow” option on the app

1. Open the Dasher app
2. Tap “Dash Now”
3. A pop-up will appear to confirm your new location
4. Click “Okay” to change your location

Method 2: If “Dash Now” is not available

If the “Dash Now” option isn’t available in your current area, try these steps:

1. Wait until “Dash Now” becomes available in your area
2. Or, go to a different starting point where “Dash Now” is available
3. Click “Dash Now”
4. Click “Okay” in the pop-up to confirm the new location

Method 3: Updating your Delivery Zone

To change your delivery zone more permanently:

1. Contact DoorDash Support
2. Request an update to your delivery zone

Please note that you may not be able to change your starting point if DoorDash is unavailable in the region where you want to deliver. The same is true if there are already too many Dashers in that area. DoorDash may also restrict location changes during peak hours. 

How to change your location on Uber Eats

When you place an order on Uber Eats, simply input your delivery address. But what if you accidentally put the wrong address for your order? Or if you need to change your order’s delivery location after you placed the order? 

If you need to change your delivery address for a current order on Uber Eats, follow these steps:

1. Open your Uber Eats app
2. Go to the order tracking screen
3. Tap ‘Help’
4. Tap ‘Get help’
5. Select ‘Change my address’
6. Add a new address
7. Follow the on-screen prompt

Depending on your new address, you may encounter different scenarios:

1. Your delivery fee may stay the same or decrease. 
2. If the Uber Eats driver has already started the delivery, you can accept the updated delivery fee that you’ll be shown or you can cancel the order. You may incur a cancellation fee or be denied a refund. 
3. If you are outside the restaurant’s delivery zone, you can keep the original address or cancel the order, with the possibility of a fee and no refund. 

Remember, changing your delivery address may affect the delivery time and cost, so it’s best to ensure your address is correct when initially placing the order.

How to change your location on Instacart 

Shoppers don’t need to change their address in the app, except to put in a new delivery address when they start shopping. This will automatically change the stores that you have access to. If, however, you are an Instacart shopper, changing your location is a bit more work. 

Step 1: Update your personal information

1. Go to the Instacart Shopper Help Center
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Submit a request”
3. Fill in the form with the following information:
   • Your name
   • Your email address
   • Your full name and phone number (to locate your account)
   • In the description, include the specific information you need to correct

Step 2: Change your location

Before requesting a location change, check if Instacart operates in your desired area at instacart.com/locations.

1. Go to the Instacart Shopper Help Center
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Submit a request”
3. Fill in the form with the following information:
   • Your name
   • Your email address
   • Your full name and phone number (to locate your account)
   • In the description, specify the postal code for the new region where you’d like to shop

Optional Step: Sign up for a new role

Instacart allows shoppers to fill one of two different roles: in-store or full-service. In-store shoppers hand off  you want to change from an in-store shopper to a full-service shopper (or vice versa):

1. Go to the Instacart Shopper Help Center
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Submit a request”
3. Request that they reset your signup process
4. Once approved, start over with the signup process

Streaming Services

Setting your location makes a huge difference in what you can stream online. Streaming platforms can geo-block their content so that it is only viewable in specific regions or settings. If you are outside of that location, you are out of luck! Well, sort of…

Many viewers want to get around these geographic blocks so they can watch content from all over the world. 

Unfortunately, platforms don’t just let you change your location. They operate based on your IP address. Therefore, if you want to get around geo-blocked content, your only two options are to physically change your location (an unlikely strategy) or change it via a VPN. 

Changing your location on a VPN to use streaming services worldwide

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be used to change your apparent location for many online services. Here’s a general guide on how to use a VPN to change your location.

Step 1: Choose & download a VPN

1. Research reputable VPN providers (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark)
2. Consider factors like:
   • Number and location of servers
   • Speed and reliability
   • Privacy and security features
   • Price and payment options
3. Select a VPN that meets your needs
4. Go to the VPN provider’s website and sign up for an account
5. Download the VPN application for your device, whether that’s a computer, smartphone, or tablet

Step 2. Install and set up the VPN

1. Open the downloaded file and follow the installation prompts
2. Launch the VPN application
3. Log in using the account credentials you created

Step 3. Connect to a server in your desired location

1. Open the VPN app
2. Browse the list of available server locations
3. Select a server in the country or city where you want to appear to be located
4. Click the connect button (often looks like a power button or says “Connect”)
5. Wait for the connection to be established

4. Verify your new location

1. Visit a website that shows your IP location (e.g., ipleak.net)
2. Check that your apparent location matches the VPN server you selected

5. Use location-based services like streaming apps

1. Open the app or website where you want to use your new virtual location
2. The service should now detect your new location based on your VPN server

A few extra things to know about installing a VPN for streaming: You always want to make sure your VPN is connected before you access any location-based services. However, if a platform uses GPS data from your device, the VPN will not be able to mask that. 

There is also the risk that if you use a VPN, you may violate the Terms of Service for streaming platforms, which could lead to having your account canceled.