Tired of seeing content restricted by your location in Google Chrome? Changing your browser’s location can open access to region-locked content, reduce targeted ads, and let you experience the web as if you’re browsing from anywhere in the world. In this guide, we’ll show you how to easily change your Chrome location, whether you’re on a PC, Mac, or mobile device.
3 Easy Ways to Change Location on Chrome
Want to explore the web as if you’re in another city or country? Changing your Chrome location lets you access content tailored to different regions, reduce location-based tracking, and even uncover hidden deals. Here’s how to easily change your location using Developer Tools on your PC or Mac:
1. Use Chrome’s Developer Tools to Change Location on PC or Mac
Open Chrome’s Developer Tools
Open Chrome on your desktop or Mac. Then, go to View > Developer > Developer Tools. This will open the Developer Console, which allows you to access advanced settings and controls for your browser.
Navigate to the Sensors Tab
Now that you’ve opened Developer Tools, click on the three-dot menu at the top right of the console, then select More tools > Sensors. A new panel should appear at the bottom.
Set a custom location
In the Sensors tab, locate the ‘Location’ dropdown menu. You can select from pre-set locations like ‘Berlin’ or ‘Tokyo.’ If you prefer a custom location, choose ‘Custom location’ and enter specific latitude and longitude coordinates to set your desired location. You can easily find coordinates online for any place you want.
Refresh your page
Refresh your page to ensure Chrome updates to your new location. Your browser will now reflect your chosen setting, whether it’s Rome, New York, or Rome, Italy.
2. Adjust Location Settings on Mobile Devices (Android and iPhone)
While changing your exact location within Google Chrome on Android and iOS is limited, you can control which sites have access to your location or block location tracking altogether. Here’s how to manage these settings on both platforms:
For Android Users:
Open Chrome’s Settings
- Launch Chrome on your Android device, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, and select Settings.
Go to Site Settings
- Scroll down and tap on Site settings and then select Location.
Block Location Tracking
- Toggle the location setting to Blocked. This prevents websites from accessing your device’s location.
For iPhone Users:
Open Settings on Your Device
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Find and Tap on Chrome
- Scroll down and select the Chrome app.
Adjust Location Settings
- Tap Location and set it to Never to block Chrome from accessing your location.
While you can’t directly change your mobile device’s location in Chrome, you can use a VPN to mask your IP and simulate browsing from a different location.
3. Use a VPN to Change Your location on Chrome
By masking your real IP address and routing your connection through servers in locations you choose, a high-quality VPN like CyberGhost lets you browse as if you’re anywhere in the world—all while boosting your online privacy and security.
Change Your Location on Chrome Using CyberGhost VPN
- Choose and Download CyberGhost VPN
Head to the CyberGhost website and download the app for your device. CyberGhost is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more. - Install and Launch the App
Follow the installation steps and open the CyberGhost app. - Connect to a Server in Your Desired Location
Select a server in the country or city you want to appear from. For example, if you want content tailored to the UK, connect to a UK-based server. - Open Chrome and Verify Your New Location
Once connected, open Chrome and browse as usual. You can check your new virtual location by visiting a site that detects IP addresses or performing a location-specific search.
CyberGhost not only changes your Google Chrome location but also encrypts your data to keep your online activity private from ISPs, hackers, and trackers, even on public Wi-Fi. It also blocks ads, bypasses censorship, and offers unrestricted web access.
How to Turn Off Location Tracking on Android and iPhone
While you can’t directly manipulate GPS coordinates on mobile devices like you can with desktop developer tools, there are ways to control location access and tracking. A VPN remains one of the best ways to mask your location, but you’ll also want to disable your device’s built-in geolocation features to ensure consistent protection.
How to turn off location on Android:
1. Open Settings
Start by opening the Settings app (the gear icon) on your Android device.
2. Go to Location
Scroll down and tap on Location. Depending on your device, this option may be under the Privacy or Connections section.
3. Toggle Location Off
At the top of the Location settings, you’ll see a switch for Location. Tap it to turn it off. This will disable all location services, meaning apps won’t be able to access your location.
4. Manage App Permissions
If you prefer to keep location services on but want to limit which apps can access your location, scroll down to the App permissions section. Here, you can select specific apps and adjust their location access settings to Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Deny.
How to turn off location on iPhone:
1. Open Settings
Grab your iPhone or iPad and open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Privacy & Security
Scroll down and select Privacy & Security.
3. Choose Location Services
At the top, you’ll see Location Services. Tap on it and toggle Location Services to off.
4. Manage Individual App Permissions
If you’d rather keep location services on but want to dictate which apps can access your location, scroll down to see the list of apps using location services. Tap on any app to adjust its settings, choosing from options like Never, Ask Next Time, or While Using the App.
How to Change Firefox and Safari Browser Location
While Firefox allows some flexibility for manually changing location settings, Safari offers limited options for directly altering your location. Here’s how you can manage location settings on both browsers:
How to Change Firefox Browser Location:
Follow the steps below to manually change your location in Firefox:
- Open Firefox.
- Enter about:config in the address bar.
- Hit Accept the Risk and Continue on Mozilla’s warning.
- Type geo.enabled in the search bar.
- Ensure the value column reads true
- Now type geo.provider.network.url in the search bar.
- Click on the pencil icon.
- Replace the value with this line of code data:application/json,{“location”: {“lat”: 42.360081, “lng”: -71.058884}, “accuracy”: 27000.0}, and click the save button.
This method can set your location to a specific place, but it is not entirely foolproof as Firefox may still detect your true location through other means.
For a more reliable and seamless experience, consider using a VPN like CyberGhost.
CyberGhost ensures your location remains private by masking your IP address and encrypting your data, so you can browse securely and access content as if you’re anywhere you choose.
How to change your Safari location
Safari doesn’t provide easy options for changing your browsing location. Methods such as GPS spoofing often involve complex or risky steps, like using third-party tools or jailbreaking, which can compromise your device’s security. For a safer and more reliable way to change your location, using a VPN is recommended.
Controlling Location Access in Safari:
If you want to control which websites can access your location, you can adjust your Safari settings as follows:
- Open Safari
Launch Safari on your Mac. - Access Preferences
Click Safari in the menu bar and select Preferences from the dropdown menu. - Adjust Privacy Settings
- In the Preferences window, select the Privacy tab.
- Under Website use of location services, choose Deny without prompting to prevent websites from accessing your location without permission.
FAQ
If Google Chrome shows the wrong location, try these quick fixes:
1. Check permissions: Go to the three-dot menu > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Location. Ensure location access is enabled for the site.
2. Clear browsing data: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data and select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
3. Reset your IP: Disconnect any VPN or proxy to allow Chrome to detect your true location.
4. Refresh Google Maps: Open Google Maps, allow location access, and click the location button to refresh.
5. Use Developer Tools: Press Ctrl + Shift + I (or Command + Option + I on Mac), go to More Tools > Sensors, and set a custom location.
6. Restart Chrome: Close and reopen Chrome to apply changes.
Google Chrome might think you’re in a different location for a few reasons:
- You’re using a VPN: If you’re using a VPN, proxy, or public Wi-Fi, your IP address may show a different geographical area.
- Location settings: Websites may access various data sources (like GPS or Wi-Fi) that can provide inaccurate information about your location.
- Browser cache: Cached location data might lead Chrome to display an old or incorrect location.
- Browser extensions: Certain extensions can affect how Chrome detects your location.
- Google’s Location Services: Chrome may rely on Google’s location services, which can misrepresent your location based on outdated data points.
The easiest way to change your IP address location in Google Chrome is by using a VPN. Download and install a trusted VPN like CyberGhost, then open the app and connect to a server in your preferred location. This will make it appear as if you’re browsing from that location, giving you more flexibility and privacy online.
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