Why and how to update your TikTok location

TikTok lets you set a location that appears on your profile and in your video metadata. This location is separate from your device's GPS — it's a setting you control directly in the app. You can change it whenever you move, travel, or straightforward want to update what's visible to other users.

Your location on TikTok affects how the app recommends your videos to viewers in that area and how your profile appears to people searching by location. If you've moved or want your profile to reflect a different city, changing this setting takes about 30 seconds.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you're on iPhone, Android, or using TikTok on a computer. All three routes are straightforward and don't require you to change your phone's location settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TikTok location is a profile setting you control manually — it doesn't pull from your phone's GPS unless you give permission.
  • On iPhone and Android, open your profile, tap the three-line menu, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, and select Location to change it.
  • You can set your location to any city worldwide, and you can change it as often as you want with no restrictions.
  • Changing your location on TikTok does not affect your device's actual location or your location on other apps.

How to change location on iPhone

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your profile page where all your account settings live.

Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right corner of your profile. A menu will slide in from the right side. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy.

Tap Account, then scroll down to find Location. Tap it. You'll see a search box where you can type any city or region name. Type the location you want, select it from the dropdown that appears, and tap Save or Confirm. Your profile will update when ready.

How to change location on Android

The steps on Android are identical to iPhone. Open TikTok, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the three-line menu icon at the top right of your profile.

Tap Settings and Privacy, then Account. Scroll to Location, tap it, search for your new city, and save. The change takes effect right away on your profile and in the app's recommendation system.

Changing location on TikTok's web version

If you use TikTok on a computer, the location setting is in the same place but accessed through a different menu. Go to TikTok.com, log in, and click your profile icon in the top right corner.

Click Settings and Privacy from the dropdown menu. Click Account, then find Location in the list. Click it, search for your new location, and save. Web changes sync to your mobile app within a few minutes.

What location options are available

TikTok's location search accepts city names, regions, states, and countries. You can set your location to anywhere in the world — you don't have to use your actual current location. The app will suggest locations as you type, so you can see what's available before you select.

If you type a very small town that TikTok doesn't recognize, try the nearest larger city instead. TikTok's location database includes most cities with populations over 10,000 but may not include every small town.

How location affects your TikTok experience

Your location influences which videos TikTok recommends to you and which users see your videos. If you set your location to New York, the app will prioritize showing you videos from creators in New York and will show your videos more often to New York viewers. This is useful if you want to build an audience in a specific region or see content from a particular area.

Your location also appears on your profile for other users to see, unless you choose to hide it. This is different from your device's actual GPS location — TikTok doesn't track where you physically are unless you grant permission in your phone's privacy settings.

Hiding your location from your profile

If you don't want other users to see your location, you can hide it. Go to Settings and Privacy > Privacy and look for Who can see your location. Set this to Private or Only me. Your location will still affect TikTok's recommendations, but it won't display publicly on your profile.

Hiding your location is useful if you want the recommendation benefits of setting a location without broadcasting where you are. You can change this privacy setting independently of your actual location setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my TikTok location change my phone's actual location?

No. Your TikTok location is just a profile setting. It doesn't affect your phone's GPS, your location on Google Maps, or your location on any other app. You're only changing what TikTok displays and uses for recommendations.

Can I change my location on TikTok as many times as I want?

Yes. There's no limit to how often you can change your TikTok location. You can update it daily if you travel frequently, or change it whenever you move.

What if the city I want isn't showing up in the search?

Try searching for the nearest larger city instead. TikTok's location database includes most major cities but may not list very small towns. You can also try typing the state or region name if the specific city doesn't appear.

Will changing my location affect my followers or my existing videos?

Your followers won't change, and your existing videos will remain on your profile. Changing your location only affects how new videos are recommended going forward and how your profile appears to new users.

Can someone see my real location if I set a fake location on TikTok?

No. The location you set on TikTok is what appears to other users. Your actual GPS location is separate and only visible to TikTok if you've granted location permission in your phone's privacy settings — which is a different setting entirely.