How to change your region on instagram (2022)

When it comes to Instagram, your location is one of the most important pieces of data you give to the social media platform. You can add and edit locations of your individual photos and even set a new location manually, but Instagram also tracks your whereabouts automatically. That said, we’ll show you how to change your location on Instagram, helping you influence the social media platform’s algorithm, reach new followers, and more.

We’d also like to remind you that certain features of Instagram depend on your location. For example, that applies to "Instagram Music" – the ability to add music to your stories and listen to music posted by those you follow. If you’re in an unsupported region, the following message will appear: “Instagram music isn’t available in your region.”

That’s just one of the roadblocks you can bypass by changing your Instagram location. But make no mistake, you will need a VPN as changing your location manually isn’t good enough. To give you access to its features, Instagram uses your IP address, GPS information, and more – which can only be changed through a VPN.

So, ready to learn about the best and most effective way to change your location on Instagram? If you are – keep reading!

How to Change Your Location on Instagram with a VPN

With a powerful VPN, switching to another location on Instagram is incredibly easy. Here’s what exactly you need to do:

1. Subscribe to a VPN that works with Instagram, like ExpressVPN.
2. Download ExpressVPN from Google’s Play Store or Apple’s iOS App Store.
3. Open the VPN app and use your credentials to log in to the app.
4. Restart your smartphone/tablet and wait until it boots back up.
5. Open ExpressVPN immediately and connect to any of its VPN servers.
6. You can now access Instagram as if you’re somewhere else.

Once you connect to its server, ExpressVPN will replace your IP address – which is how you’ll make it look like you’re elsewhere. However, it might take some time until Instagram reads your new IP address, so you must keep ExpressVPN active in the background.

In some cases, it’s recommended to delete Instagram’s cache files. That’s done by reinstalling Instagram (meaning you must uninstall and install the app again). Don’t worry; you won’t lose any of your photos or messages – they’ll be there once you log in.

Best VPN for Instagram

Know that not every VPN will help you change your Instagram location. You need the best VPN for Instagram, with a proven track record of supporting the social media app. That VPN must also bring plenty of servers and feature solid VPN protocols and encryption (which is what lets you hide your actual location and replace it with a fictional one).

We’re here to help you make up your mind – so, based on the criteria explained above, these are the 3 best VPNs for Instagram.

1. ExpressVPN – Our #1-Rated VPN for Instagram

Currently, the best way to change your Instagram location is via ExpressVPN. Aside from being one of the most capable VPNs, it’s also one of the most user-friendly options. On top of that, it brings plenty of extras, providing a lot of value overall.

No matter if you use Instagram on your iOS or Android phone, ExpressVPN will be there to run in the background. This VPN offers brilliantly designed apps powered by protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. It also uses AES-256 encryption, which means your true location will remain hidden at any given moment.

Then, ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries and 100+ locations. You can connect to servers in any of those locations, forcing Instagram to think you’re elsewhere. However, that’s also how you can unblock any website unavailable in your country, streaming platforms included.

If you need more information, here’s our in-depth ExpressVPN review.

PROS

• Works with Instagram.
• Unblocks any website out there.
• Servers in 90+ countries.
• Hides your online whereabouts.
• Incredibly simple to use.

CONS

2. NordVPN – Instagram Location Change + Privacy

Perhaps you want to change your location on Instagram to preserve your privacy. That said, we’ll add that you’re on the right track. However, you can go one step further and use NordVPN, which is specialized in privacy protection.

NordVPN comes with apps for Android, iOS, and iPadOS. It works with Instagram with no issues whatsoever. Also, it has 5,000+ servers in close to 60 countries. So, you’ll have plenty of options in choosing an Instagram location aligned with your needs and goals. However, NordVPN doesn’t offer standard VPN servers only; it offers specialized servers as well.

NordVPN’s specialized servers let you route your Web traffic through two servers. You can also use obfuscated servers to prevent trackers from following you on the Internet. And just like our other recommendations, it features a verified no-logs policy, which means that even the VPN itself won’t know what you do online.

Check what other features to expect by reading our NordVPN review.

PROS

• Works with Instagram.
• Unblocks any website out there.
• Specialized servers for privacy.
• Hides your online whereabouts.

CONS

• Server network limited to 60 countries.

3. CyberGhost VPN – Instagram Location Change + Entertainment

CyberGhost’s list of features is an overwhelming one, as this VPN has recently expanded to offer a range of cyber-security tools (it now also features a password manager and antivirus). However, its focus is still on offering an extra-wide VPN server fleet, encrypting your traffic using the highest-level standards.

You can count on intuitive apps for iOS and Android (and many other platforms), which means it’s easy to combine CyberGhost VPN with Instagram on any device. Then, you get 8,500+ servers in 90+ countries and 115+ locations. You also get 7 simultaneous connections, making CyberGhost the most generous VPN of the bunch.

Aside from letting you change your Instagram location, CyberGhost is excellent for unblocking digital services. It’s especially useful for media streaming, as it offers servers specialized for that Web activity (those can unblock even some niche streaming platforms). That’s why we recommend CyberGhost for entertainment as well.

Read our CyberGhost VPN review if you wish to learn more.

PROS

• Works with Instagram.
• Extra-wide server network.
• 7 simultaneous connections.
• Specialized servers for streaming.

CONS

• Can take a moment to connect.

Why Do You Need a VPN for Instagram?

You already know that VPNs help you change your location on Instagram. However, they can do much more than that. So, here’s why else you need a VPN for Instagram.

#1: VPNs Protect Your Privacy

The primary role of VPNs is to protect your privacy, which they do by hiding your Web traffic. When you connect to a VPN server, your traffic starts flowing through a tunnel, making it invisible even to your Internet provider.

That means your Internet provider won’t see what you download, and it won’t read your Web browsing history. VPNs also protect you against hackers, allowing you to use Instagram and any other app even when connected to notoriously vulnerable public Wi-Fi networks.

#2: VPNs Unlock New Instagram Features

Some Instagram features are available in certain countries only, like Instagram Music. Also, some influencers on Instagram can create region-based content (for example, they might create Stories that appear in select countries only).

To gain access to those features, you need a VPN. We recommend picking a VPN location in the United States, as new Instagram features are most likely to launch in that country first.

#3: VPNs Help You Unblock Instagram

Just recently, Russia blocked access to Instagram (you can still bypass that limitation). In the past, similar happened in China, Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam. In other words, Instagram can be blocked in any country and by any government, just like any other app or website.

VPNs not only change your virtual location but hide your actual location as well. That’s why a VPN is the best tool to bypass Internet censorship and regain access to any source of information online.

#4: VPNs Help Your Business Reach More Customers

If you run an online business, Instagram can help you reach more customers in select regions. More precisely, changing your location on the social media platform helps you reach new countries.

Access to a bigger market means having access to a bigger customer base. So, if you’re a business owner running an Instagram account, getting a VPN is a smart investment in expanding your reach.

Final Thoughts

In terms of changing your Instagram location, your best option is to use ExpressVPN. We think you’re going to love that VPN as it helps you do more than switch to a new location. It gives you access to new features, protects your privacy, and helps you do more on the Web.

To expand your options beyond ExpressVPN, you can check our central guide on the best VPNs for Instagram. We made sure to include high-end options only - after having tested more than 65 VPN services in total.

Instagram knows your location based on your IP address and your device’s GPS coordinates. That’s how Instagram can tag the location of your images on its own.

However, that social media platform knows much more than just your location. It’s an app with deep system privileges, having access to your contacts, messages, photos, and more.

The most effective way to change your country on Instagram is to use a VPN. That’s how you’ll replace your IP address, tricking Instagram into thinking you’re elsewhere.

The easiest way to hide your country on Instagram is to disable “Location Services,” which will prevent Instagram from reading your location.

If you have an iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Instagram. Select ‘Never’ to prevent Instagram from tracking you. If you have an Android device, we recommend doing a Google search on how to disable location services based on your device's brand and software version.

Yes, you can fake your Instagram location in several different ways. The easiest way would be to use a VPN service, letting Instagram think you’re elsewhere.

However, if you want to fake a location of an individual Instagram photo, you can do that manually. You can tap on the “three dots” icon above your photo, pick “Edit,” and then replace the current location with a new one.

Yes, you can use a VPN to change your location on Instagram. That’s the best way to trick Instagram into thinking you’re elsewhere, letting you expand your reach to specific countries.

Keep in mind that not every VPN is good enough for Instagram, which is why we’ve recommended only the best options - based on our tests.

Our #1 recommendation is ExpressVPN.

No, you can't change your Instagram location manually or without a VPN because the app is designed to read your connection's metadata manually.

More precisely, Instagram reads your IP address and GPS information, which you can change using only a VPN. However, if you want to edit a location of a single photo, you can do that by going into that photo's settings (Edit > Change Location).

Yes, it's legal to change your location on Instagram as long as you don't do that for any malicious purpose. It's also legal to use a VPN to change your Instagram location.

That would be all on how to change your location on Instagram in 2022. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!