5 Ways to Change Location on Mac

If you’ve ever searched for "Change Location Mac", you likely realized how ambiguous that phrase really is. For some, it means updating your App Store region to match a move abroad; for others, it’s simply about decluttering the desktop by changing where screenshots are saved. Then there are the gamers and privacy seekers, looking to trick apps like Pokémon GO into thinking they’re in Tokyo but need their Mac to do it safely.

I’ve been down all three rabbit holes, and I know how frustrating it is to find the wrong answer for your specific problem. Whether you are an expat needing to switch regions, an organizer managing files, or a gamer looking for a GPS workaround, this guide covers every valid way to "change location" on your Mac.

Part 1. Change Region on Mac & App Store Country

If you are moving abroad or trying to download an app that’s only available in another country, you need to change your Mac’s "digital residency". Apple makes this deep system change, and honestly, it can be a bit of a headache if you aren't prepared.

How to Change Region on macOS (Sonoma & Sequoia)

On the latest versions of macOS, the "System Preferences" are now "System Settings", and things have moved around.

Step 1. Open the Apple Menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings.

Step 2. Click General in the sidebar, then select Language & Region.

Step 3. Look for the "Region" dropdown menu. Click it and select your new country.

Step 4. You will likely be asked to restart your Mac to apply these changes.

The "App Store Trap": What You Must Know Before Switching

Here is the part that usually trips people up. You cannot just flip a switch if your Apple ID has "baggage". Apple is incredibly strict about this. Before you can successfully change your country in the App Store specifically (via Account Settings), you must ensure:

How to Change App Store Region on Mac

Once you have cleared the hurdles above (zero balance and no subscriptions), here is exactly how to change location on your Mac:

Step 1. Open the App Store app on your Mac.

Step 2. Click on your name (or sign-in button) in the bottom-left corner of the window.

Step 3. Click Account Settings near the top right of the window. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 4. On the Account Information page, click the link that says Change Country or Region.

Step 5. Select your new country from the list, review the Terms & Conditions, and enter your new payment information and billing address.

If you just want to download one specific app from another region, my personal advice? Don't change your main account. It’s far easier to create a completely new, secondary Apple ID set to that region.

Part 2. Change Screenshot Location on Mac & File Paths

This is the most common "hidden" intent I see. You aren't trying to move yourself; you’re trying to move your data. By default, macOS dumps every screenshot onto your Desktop and every massive iPhone backup onto your primary hard drive. Let's fix that.

Method 1: The Easy Way (Toolbar)

For years, Mac users had to use complex code, but Apple finally added a hidden menu to make it simple.

Step 1. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the capture toolbar.

Step 2. Click on Options in the menu bar that appears at the bottom.

Step 3. Under the "Save to" section, select Other Location... and choose your desired folder (e.g., a "Screenshots" folder in Documents).

Step 4. Click anywhere to close. Your future screenshots will now save there automatically.

Method 2: The Terminal Way (For Power Users)

If you prefer using the command line or want to script this change for multiple machines, the old method still works perfectly.

Step 1. Create a new folder where you want your images to go (e.g., "Screenshots" in your Documents folder).

Step 2. Open the Terminal app (you can find it in Applications > Utilities or search via Spotlight).

Step 3. Type the following command, but don't press Enter yet:

Step 4. Drag your new folder into the Terminal window. It will automatically paste the correct file path.

Step 5. Press Enter. Then, type this command to refresh the system:

How to Change Backup Location on Mac

If you want to backup iPhone data to Mac, but your MacBook has limited storage (like 256GB), a single iPhone backup can eat up half your drive. While Apple doesn't offer a simple change download location" button for backups, we can outsmart it using a "symlink" (Symbolic Link).

Step 1. Connect your external drive and create a folder named MobileSync.

Step 2. Go to your Mac's default backup folder: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/.

Step 3. Copy the Backup folder from your Mac to your external drive, then delete the original Backup folder on your Mac (scary, I know, but necessary).

Step 4. Open Terminal and type:

Now, when you back up your iPhone, the data flows seamlessly to your external drive.

Part 3. Change Browser Location on Mac (IP Address)

If you are trying to change location on Mac because you want to watch Netflix from another country or access a region-blocked website, you don't need to change system settings.

You need to change your IP Address.

For Websites

Use a VPN. This routes your traffic through a server in another country. It works for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and news sites.

For Web Testing

If you are a developer testing a site, use Chrome Developer Tools (Cmd+Option+I > More Tools > Sensors) to simulate a location without a VPN.

Part 4. How to Change iPhone/Android Location Using Your Mac

This is the critical distinction. You don't play Pokemon GO on your Mac. But, professional gamers and privacy enthusiasts use their Mac as a controller to move the GPS on their phone.

Why use a Mac for this?

Trying to fake GPS directly on an iPhone usually requires "Jailbreaking", which destroys your security. However, Apple allows developers to simulate locations for testing purposes via USB.3 Desktop software exploits this legitimate feature to spoof location safely.

The Solution: PoKeep Location Changer

PoKeep Location Changer is the desktop software that handles this bridge. It runs on your Mac but changes the coordinates on your plugged-in phone.

How it works in practice:

Step 1. Install and launch PoKeep on your Mac.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone or Android via USB cable.

Step 3. On your Mac screen, you will see a map.

Teleport Mode: Click anywhere (e.g., London) and hit "Move". Your phone instantly believes it is in London.

Joystick Mode: Use your Mac's arrow keys (W/A/S/D) to move the GPS pin. On your phone screen, your game character will start walking in real-time.

This "Tethered" method is currently the safest way to spoof location because all the complex processing happens on the computer, keeping your phone's operating system clean and secure.

Summary

"Changing location" on a Mac is all about intent. Make sure you use the right method for your specific goal:

By understanding exactly what you need, you can save yourself hours of frustration. Whether it's a simple folder change or using your Mac to teleport your phone across the globe, the right tool makes it easy.