Finding your perfect catch on a dating app often comes down to one crucial factor: location. Plenty of Fish (POF), one of the oldest and largest dating platforms, relies heavily on your geographical whereabouts to connect you with singles nearby. But what happens when you move, travel, or simply want to cast your net a little wider? The challenge of updating your location on POF can be surprisingly multifaceted, and getting it right is key to a successful dating journey.
This comprehensive guide will reel you in, covering every angle of changing your location on Plenty of Fish. We’ll dive deep into the official methods, explore the nuances of GPS, and even touch upon the controversial topic of location spoofing, all to ensure you’re fishing in the right pond.

Why Change Your Location on POF?
POF is a location-based dating app, meaning your matches depend on where you are (or where you say you are). Here’s why users tweak their settings:
- Moving or Traveling
- Update your city to meet locals before arriving.
- Avoid mismatches from your old location (POF’s algorithm can take time to adjust).
- Expanding Your Options
- Small-town users often broaden their radius to find more matches.
- Test dating scenes in cities you’re considering for a move.
- Privacy Concerns
- In tight-knit communities, faking your location prevents acquaintances from seeing your profile.
- Long-Distance Dating
- Some intentionally set faraway locations to explore cross-country connections.
- Broaden your dating pool – Not many singles in your town? Try a nearby city or even your future home.

Method 1: Manually Update Your Location in POF (Official Method)
Best for: Legitimate moves or temporary location changes.
Steps:
- Open POF and go to Profile > Edit Profile.
- Under Basics, update your City, State, and Zip Code.
- Save changes and log out/in to refresh matches.
Limitations:
- POF may still show old matches temporarily.
- You can’t fake a location—it requires a real postal code.
Method 2: Let GPS Determine Your Location
If you haven’t manually changed location, POF may rely on your device’s GPS or IP address:
- On mobile, enable location services for POF; it will then show matches based on where your phone currently is .
- If GPS is off, POF may default to the location you input during sign-up .
To force POF to refresh your GPS-based location:
- Temporarily turn off location permission.
- Restart the app or phone.
- Re-enable location for POF.
- Occasionally, use Airplane Mode for 30 seconds then reconnect to jolt the GPS.
Method 3: Spoof Your GPS with a Location Changer (For Anywhere Teleportation)
Best for: Exploring new areas without physically moving.
Location Changer tools trick POF into thinking you’re elsewhere by overriding your device’s GPS.
How to Use a GPS Spoofer:
- Download a trusted tool.
- Connect your phone to a computer via USB.
- Teleport on the map to your desired city.
- Open POF—your matches will now reflect the spoofed location.
Pro Tip:
- Use route simulation to mimic movement (e.g., walking through a neighborhood) for more natural results.
Method 4: Create a New POF Account
Best for: Drastic location changes (e.g., switching countries).
POF doesn’t allow country changes on existing accounts, so a new profile is the only fix.
Steps:
- Sign up with a new email/phone number.
- Enter your desired location during setup.
- Bypass SMS verification.
Method 5: Connect to PureVPN to Access POF Smoothly
Best for: IP-based adjustments.
The easiest way to change location on POF is to use PureVPN. A VPN is an application that helps change your IP address. Here are a few steps to change your location on Android devices.
- Download and install PureVPN on your device.
- Launch the VPN and sign in with your credentials.
- Choose your server location and change your virtual location.
- Open Plenty of Fish, the app will display in the spoofed area.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Location won’t update | Log out/re-login or clear app data to force refresh umatechnology.org. |
Still seeing old matches | Wait 5–10 minutes—POF algorithm takes time to resync . |
GPS spoofing stops working | Ensure spoofing app is still active, it’s set as mock provider, and POF has location permission. |
VPN only changes IP | Also update Profile or use GPS spoofing—VPN alone may not alter GPS reading . |
Can’t set country | POF sometimes restricts country editing—signing up new may be easier . |
Spoofing Your Location on POF (Use with Caution)
You might encounter discussions about “spoofing” your location on POF using third-party apps or VPNs. This involves tricking your device into reporting a false GPS location. While technically possible, it comes with significant risks and ethical considerations.
- How it Works (Generally):
- GPS Spoofers: Spoofing apps iOS/Android allow you to manually set your device’s GPS coordinates to anywhere in the world. Once activated, any app that relies on your phone’s GPS (like POF) will “believe” you are at that fake location.
- VPNs: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) changes your IP address, making it appear as if your internet connection is coming from a different geographic location. While VPNs are excellent for privacy and accessing geo-restricted content (like streaming services), their effectiveness for dating apps is debatable. POF might still use your manually entered postal code or detect inconsistencies.
- Why People Consider Spoofing:
- Pre-Move Scouting: Some users might want to explore the dating scene in a new city before physically moving there.
- Privacy Concerns: In small towns, some users might spoof their location slightly to maintain a degree of anonymity.
- Broader Dating Pool: Accessing matches in a wider geographic area than naturally available.
Final Words
Changing your location on Plenty of Fish is a fundamental step in ensuring your dating app experience is relevant and rewarding. Whether you’ve just relocated or are planning a move, utilizing POF’s built-in profile editing features is the most reliable and ethical approach. While the allure of “virtual travel” through location spoofing might be tempting, the potential pitfalls far outweigh the fleeting advantages.
By keeping your location updated and leveraging POF’s search filters, you’ll be able to effectively cast your net and find genuine connections with singles who are truly in your orbit. Happy fishing!