Google One is taking a significant step to enhance its VPN service by updating the default IP address region from broad to local, the company announced via email on Thursday.
Currently, Google One VPN connects to a server in the same country by default, but not necessarily one close to the user’s region. This can cause problems for some location-based services.
Google said using a local IP will improve location-based services on apps and websites. The company also reiterated its commitment to securing users’ privacy and security, adding that the switch to local IPs won’t expose users’ actual location.
Google will start rolling out the update on July 29 for Android, Mac, iOS, and Windows devices.
Google One VPN: Local IP Address Update
The switch to a local IP will improve the overall user experience for Google One users. Some users have reported issues with location-based services when using the VPN as they’re placed in entirely different regions.
Websites and apps generally determine users’ location from their IP address. And if your IP address is far from your actual location, the information you get from a weather app, for example, would be irrelevant.
Despite this change, Google has assured users that it will continue to “prevent your network provider or the websites from knowing your actual IP address or precise location.”
Users will have the option to keep using a broader IP address instead of a local one. Google recommends using this setting “for even more privacy.”
Google One’s VPN service, launched in 2020, is a basic add-on VPN service that encrypts and masks users’ online traffic. While it does not have the same features as standalone VPNs, like NordVPN, it’s a widely used service.
How to Use a Local IP on Google One VPN
Once the update is live later this month, Google One users can switch to a local IP with the click of a button. Changing to a local IP will briefly disconnect you from the VPN. If you have issues connecting, visit the Google One support page for more information.
We’ve put Google One VPN to the test, assessing its speed, safety, server network, user-friendliness, and more. You can learn more about how this VPN performed in our tests in our Google One VPN review.
While we like Google One VPN, it does not have the capabilities of some standalone VPNs. For example, it fails to unblock content on streaming platforms. For alternatives to Google One, check out our top five best VPNs.
Follow us on Twitter, Threads, and Mastodon for more news!
