How to Spoof GPS Location with HackRF

Part 1: What is HackRF?

HackRF is an SDR or Software Defined Radio device that can receive or transmit radio signals from 1 MHz to 6 GHz. In simple words, it is a programmable radio receiver and transmitter that can be used for many purposes.

It can be used for GPS spoofing and message transmission through Morse Code and act as a satellite signal receiver, signal generator, radio receiver, etc. When using HackRF, you must be careful of the regional laws, as some functionalities might be illegal to practice.

Part 2: How to Fake Android GPS with a HackRF?

As mentioned above, one of the many functionalities of HackRF is the ability to spoof your location. It can be useful when playing games that require you to move to different locations, like Pokémon Go. Below is the detailed process of spoofing GPS location with HackRF:

1. The Must-Have Equipment You Need

Before starting the process of GPS spoofing, the following are the software and hardware components you must have:

Software

• GPS-SDR-SIM (Available on GitHub)
• Latest GPS broadcast ephemeris file (Available on the NASA website)
• exe (Compile yourself or get via PothosSDR from GitHub)

Hardware

• HackRF
• Windows Computer
• Android Phone (For receiving GPS signals)

2. Using a HackRF for GPS Spoofing on Windows

After you have ensured all the required components, you can start the GPS spoofing HackRF on Windows. The detailed steps for GPS spoofing on Windows with HackRF are given below:

Step 1: Go to GPS-SDR-SIM on GitHub and download the .zip file. Once the file is downloaded, extract it into a folder. Now visit https://cddis.nasa.gov/archive/gnss/data/daily to get the latest GPS broadcast ephemeris file. You will need to register yourself to get the file.

Step 2: After downloading the latest GPS broadcast ephemeris file, expand it, and copy it to the GPS-SDR-SIM folder. Now run the Command Prompt and navigate to the GPS-SDR-SIM folder in CMD.

Step 3: Now, you need to generate your GPS-simulated "BIN" file for GPS spoofing, and for that, you need the coordinates of the location you want to simulate. Open a map app, find the location you want to spoof, and copy its coordinates.

Step 4: Once you have copied the coordinates, execute the following command to create your GPS-simulated BIN file:

"./gps-sdr-sim -b 8 -e YOUR_BRDC_FILE TARGTED_LOCATION_COORDINATES" (BRDC file is the latest GPS broadcast ephemeris file, and coordinates refer to the location you want to simulate)

Step 5: Ensure that the newly created BIN file is present in your GPS-SDR-SIM folder. Now either compile hackrf_transfer.exe or download "PothosSDR." After installing PothosSDR, locate the "hackrf_transfer.exe" file in its installation folder and also move the BIN file you created here.

Step 6: Move back to Command Prompt and navigate to the PothosSDR folder where hackrf_transfer.exe and your BIN file are located. Run this command to transmit the targeted location through HackRF.

"> hackrf_transfer -t gpssim.bin -f 1575420000 -s 2600000 -a 1 -x 0"

Step 7: With the execution of the command, your HackRF will start transmitting the targeted location. Now have your Android phone near HackRF, and you can check if it picks up and decodes the location signals using an application like GPS Status. Once the device successfully receives and decodes the signals, your shown location will change to the targeted location.

Part 3: What's Good and Bad about Using HackRF?

HackRF is handy when spoofing location, listening to your favorite radio station, or even creating your GSM network. Like any other hardware, it also has some pros and cons, which are mentioned below:

Pros

• Compared to the other SDR tools, HackRF costs a lot less and is easier to install and use.
• It has a wide range of frequencies as it can transmit and receive signals from 1 MHz to 6 GHz.
• HackRF is open source, meaning it is freely available for users to customize to their needs.

Cons

• Its frequency range is limited to 6 GHz, which might not be sufficient for applications that require a wider frequency range.
• HackRF lacks proper front-end filtering and has issues with RF aliasing if used alone.
• It receives only a small part of the spectrum at the same time, which is not enough for protocols that use a wide spectrum of frequency hopping.

Part 4: The Simplest Way to Spoof your GPS Location on an Android?

The HackRF One GPS spoofing is great, but if you find the process tedious and hard, a great replacement is available. Dr.Fone - Virtual Location is a great tool for spoofing GPS location on your Android phone. Spoofing your location using this tool is easy, quick, and doesn't require any commands or complex tools. It is an excellent tool to bypass geo-blocking or geo-restriction of the apps you want to use.

Key Features of Dr.Fone - Virtual Location

• When using Dr.Fone - Virtual Location, you can spoof location on up to 5 smartphones with one computer.
• You can use GPS with Joystick controls when spoofing locations for playing games.
• It also allows you to change your virtual location for social media and dating applications.

safe & secure

Steps of Spoofing GPS Location on Android with Dr.Fone - Virtual Location

Dr.Fone - Virtual Location is a great way to spoof your GPS location on Android phones. Download the Dr.Fone toolkit and follow these steps to spoof your GPS location:

Step 1: Launch Dr.Fone and Select Virtual Location

Connect your Android phone to your computer and launch the Dr.Fone app. Next, tap on "Virtual Location" and press "Get Started" on the next screen to initiate the process. Now, find your location on the map by pressing the "Center On" icon.

Step 2: Enter Your Targeted Location

Click on the "Teleport" icon from the top right corner to activate teleport mode. Now enter the location you want to set as your virtual location and press "GO." Once the location is opened, select "Move Here" to change the location.

Step 3: Set Your Targeted Location as Your Device Location

When you have pressed "Move Here," the location of your device will be fixed to your targeted location. You can confirm that by using the map app on your device. Then, select "Reset Location" from the right sidebar to return to your original location.

safe & secure

Conclusion

Location sharing in a smartphone, although important, has many disadvantages. Nowadays, every app seems to require permission to access your location. For that, tools like HackRF GPS spoofing are helpful in different circumstances.

However, it can be concerning because you can be at great risk if the app isn't sufficiently secured. That's why having a tool like Dr.Fone - Virtual Location can be greatly reassuring as you can easily set up a fake location with it.

safe & secure