Fake Location
Frequently Asked Questions
Setting up Developer options, which apps see the simulated position, and what a mock GPS can and cannot do.
Is Fake Location free?
Yes — completely free, with no subscription and no account to create. The app is supported by ads. In Europe you can change or withdraw your advertising consent at any time from Privacy settings inside the app.
Do I need root?
No. Fake Location uses the mock location provider built into Android itself. That is exactly why you have to pick the app under Developer options — it is the official way Android lets an app report a simulated position. No root, no custom ROM, no ADB commands.
Why do I have to enable Developer options?
Because Android will not let any app fake your position behind your back — you have to choose it yourself. It is a one-time setup that takes about a minute:
1. Settings → About phone → Software information → tap Build number seven times.
2. Go back to Settings — Developer options is now at the bottom.
3. Developer options → Location → Select mock location app → Fake Location.
See the three steps with screenshots →
Fake Location doesn't appear under "Select mock location app"
Install the app and open it at least once before you look in that list, and allow the location permission when it asks — Android only lists apps that request the mock location permission. If the list is still empty, check that device location is switched on, restart the phone, and look again.
Is this a VPN? Does it hide my IP address?
No — and this is the most important thing to understand about the app. Fake Location changes one thing only: the GPS coordinates your device reports through Android's location services.
Your IP address, your mobile or Wi-Fi network, your DNS lookups and the contents of your traffic are all untouched and unencrypted. Any website, ad network or app that works out where you are from your IP address will still see your real region.
A VPN does the opposite — it routes your network traffic through another country, but it does not change your GPS position. The two solve different problems. Fake Location is not a substitute for a VPN, not a privacy or anti-tracking tool, and it will not unblock geo-restricted streaming.
Will every app see the simulated position?
Most apps that ask Android for your location will get the simulated coordinates while the simulation is running. There are two exceptions:
Apps that check for mock locations. Banking apps, ride-hailing apps and a few games deliberately detect this and may refuse to work or restrict your account. Fake Location does not try to hide itself from them.
Apps that don't use GPS. Anything that locates you by IP address, Wi-Fi networks or cell towers is not affected at all.
Does it keep running when I switch to another app?
Yes. The simulation runs as a foreground service with a permanent notification, so it survives leaving the app and locking the screen. Press the same button again to stop it — the notification disappears together with the simulated position.
My real location keeps coming back
Usually the system has killed the background service to save power. Open your battery settings, find Fake Location and set it to unrestricted (or exclude it from battery optimisation). Also check that device location is on and that Fake Location is still selected under Developer options → Select mock location app — some system updates reset that setting.
Where are my saved places stored?
On your device only. There is no account, no cloud sync and nothing is sent to us — see the
privacy policy. Use
Export JSON in the settings to write your places into a plain file you can back up or copy to another phone, and
Import JSON to read it back.
How do I switch everything off completely?
Stop the simulation with the button in the app, then go to Developer options → Location → Select mock location app and set it back to None. From that moment no app can simulate a position at all. You can also switch Developer options off entirely if you don't need it for anything else.
Still have a question?
Contact us — we're happy to help.