By default Bitdefender VPN connects you automatically to an optimal server, but you can also choose a specific geographic location yourself. This is useful when you want your internet traffic to appear as coming from a particular country, such as France, United States, or another available VPN location.
The steps below apply to the Bitdefender app on both Windows and Mac.
1. Open the VPN section
In the Bitdefender app, click on Services in the navigation bar on the left side of the window, then choose VPN in the submenu that appears.
The VPN dashboard opens on the main area of the app. You will see a map, the current connection status, and a Connect button.
2. Open the Locations list
On the VPN screen, click the Locations button. This button appears near the lower-left area of the map, under the current VPN location name.
After you select Locations, a panel opens on the right side of the window. This panel contains a search field and a list of available VPN locations.
3. Choose a country manually
In the Locations panel, scroll through the country list or use the search box at the top to find a country faster.
Some countries may also show an arrow, which means there are specific city options available for that country.
The Automatic option remains available at the top of the list. Choose this option again later if you want Bitdefender to automatically select the nearest server instead of using a specific country.
4. Connect to the selected location
After clicking the desired country, Bitdefender VPN will start connecting to the selected geographic location.
During the connection process, the VPN status changes to Connecting… and the selected country is displayed on the screen. Depending on your network conditions, the connection may take a few seconds to complete.
5. Confirm that your location changed
Once the connection is complete, the status changes from Not connected to Secured connection. The selected country name appears on the map, and the button changes from Connect to Disconnect.
When the VPN is connected, the app also updates the privacy status panel on the right side. You should see that your IP address is hidden, and a new VPN IP address is displayed.
This confirms that your traffic is now routed through the selected VPN location instead of your regular internet connection.
Changing to another VPN location later
To switch to a different country, open Locations again, then choose another country from the list. If you are already connected, you don’t need to disconnect and reconnect through the new location.
To stop using the VPN, select Disconnect on the main VPN screen. Your internet connection will return to its regular state unless you connect again to VPN.