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Geo-Restrictions on Snapchat – How VPNs Help Travelers Access Content Abroad

Written by Jimmy Rustling

While traveling you need access to all services that you use at home. Your trip won’t be so smooth if you can’t open your favorite streaming service, banking app, or Snapchat. When traveling, you have to use a VPN, including for reasons of bypassing non-graphic restrictions. However, the purpose of VPN does not end there.

Why VPN for Snapchat?

There are several advantages to using a VPN for Snapchat. It provides unrestricted access to features and content, while also significantly enhancing security. Let’s explore the main reasons why you should consider getting a VPN for Snapchat:

  • Improved Security: While Snapchat is predominantly a fun app, it does have access to personal data, including your exact location and online activity, which can be used for targeted advertising. By using a reputable VPN, you can both mask your location and encrypt your online traffic, ensuring your privacy and security.
  • Access to Exclusive Snapchat Features: Different regions have access to varying Snapchat filters, badges, and overall content. If you’re tired of seeing the same local content, you can use a VPN to change your IP address and enjoy snaps from all around the world.
  • SnapMap Location Spoofing: You can use a VPN to spoof your location for security purposes or to play tricks on your friends by making them think you’re traveling somewhere else. Simply choose a server in your desired country, reopen Snapchat, and let your friends see your “new” location on SnapMap.

What to Do If “This Item Isn’t Available” in the Play Store?

The main reason for encountering the warning message is the incompatibility of your device with running Snapchat. It can also be related to the Android or iOS version of your device. If you are using an old or incompatible OS version, you may face this error message on the Play Store. Multiple Android users can encounter this error message, and it doesn’t have a fixed cause.

Snapchat is not available in China due to government restrictions. Apart from China, this social media app should work fine in other countries. India is another potential country that may ban Snapchat usage, but you can still use the application in that region. The main solution is to change your location via VPN.

How to Change Location on Snapchat With a VPN?

To change your Snapchat location, you can easily and securely use a VPN. A VPN is a service that encrypts and secures your internet traffic, allowing you to access blocked websites in your current location.

By connecting to a server in another country, you can change your device’s IP address and trick services like Snapchat into thinking you’re somewhere else. This is particularly useful for using features like geo-filters or geofenced messages that require specific locations.

Here’s how to start using a mobile VPN on Snapchat:

  1. Sign up for a reputable VPN.
  2. Download the mobile app from your device’s app store (e.g., Apple App Store or Google Play Store).
  3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in the location where you want to appear while using Snapchat. You can check the provider’s server list on their website or within the app.
  4. Launch Snapchat.

A particularly important point is choosing a suitable VPN provider. Not every VPN can change Snapchat’s location. Snapchat may recognize that you are using a VPN and not respond to it, instead continuing to use your past location. VeePN does a good job, especially since it has many servers in all parts of the world. There are several other tips on how to fake Snapchat locations that may be useful to you. They will come in handy if you fail to achieve your goal the first time.

Can Snapchat Recognize Your VPN?

Yes, Snapchat can detect the use of a VPN. Snapchat’s SnapMap feature traces the location of ‘snaps’ using GPS and other location data. This information is shared with your Snapchat friends and presented on a clickable heat map that indicates the specific locations of ‘snaps’. Therefore, if your GPS data does not match your IP address location, Snapchat can identify VPN usage.

Fortunately, using a reliable VPN with strong data encryption can help secure your data. You can even use an online VPN if you are using a PC to view Snapchat. Moreover, VPNs that offer a GPS spoofing feature can even trick the SnapMap.

In addition to displaying your location while the app is active, Snapchat also shows your last location for a few hours after you exit the app. This poses a somewhat significant security risk, as GPS compromises your anonymity.

Conclusion

Travelers who want to continue using Snapchat need a VPN. With its help, you can remove the restriction on downloading an application from the Play Store, change your location, etc. However, a VPN is useful even in your home region, since you can fake your real location to any other and unlock more filters.

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About the author

Jimmy Rustling

Born at an early age, Jimmy Rustling has found solace and comfort knowing that his humble actions have made this multiverse a better place for every man, woman and child ever known to exist. Dr. Jimmy Rustling has won many awards for excellence in writing including fourteen Peabody awards and a handful of Pulitzer Prizes. When Jimmies are not being Rustled the kind Dr. enjoys being an amazing husband to his beautiful, soulmate; Anastasia, a Russian mail order bride of almost 2 months. Dr. Rustling also spends 12-15 hours each day teaching their adopted 8-year-old Syrian refugee daughter how to read and write.