How websites know where you are
Every IP address belongs to a range that is registered in a country. Websites look your IP up in geolocation databases and decide from there which country (and often which city) you are in.
They may also use your browser language, the country of your account and, on phones, the GPS if you have given permission. But for most websites, the IP is what counts.
Why you might want to appear somewhere else
- Travelling: use the services of your own country while you are abroad.
- Comparing: see prices, offers and search results as they appear in other countries.
- Working: check how your website, app or ads look in another market.
- Privacy: keep your real IP, and the place it reveals, to yourself.
How a VPN changes your location
When you connect to a VPN server in another country, all your traffic goes out from there. Websites see the server's IP, so for them you are in that country. You choose the country in the app and can change it whenever you want.
Limits worth knowing
- GPS-based apps still see your real location: a VPN changes your IP, not your phone's position.
- Account settings (such as the country of your app store) do not change with the VPN.
- Each service has its own terms of use: some limit access by region, so check them.
Step by step with SiVPN
- Install the app on your device: Android, Android TV, iOS, Windows, macOS or Linux.
- Choose a country from the list.
- Connect, and check the result on our What is my IP page.
On Android and Android TV you can also choose which apps go through the VPN and which keep your normal connection.
Browse from another country in one tap
SiVPN connects you to our servers in other countries and protects you on any network. Apps for every device.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to change my virtual location?
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. What you do with it has to respect local law and the terms of each service.
Will my connection be slower?
Distance matters: a server in a nearby country is usually faster than one on the other side of the world.
Can I choose which apps use the VPN?
Yes, on Android and Android TV: the rest of the apps keep using your normal connection.
How do I check that it worked?
Open our What is my IP page: it shows the IP and country that websites see.