How to Disable or Enable Location Services in Chrome

This guide shows you how to control whether Google Chrome can access your device’s location. You’ll learn how to turn location services on or off for all sites, manage permissions for individual websites, and fix common issues when the location prompt doesn’t appear or the wrong location is shown.

What You’ll Need

A computer or mobile device with Google Chrome installed.
For desktop: Chrome version 64 or later (most current versions).
For mobile: The Chrome app (Android or iOS) updated to a recent version.
Your device’s system location settings (to allow or block Chrome from using them).

Step-by-Step

On Windows, Mac, or Linux (Desktop)

Open Chrome on your computer.
Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
In the left sidebar, click Privacy and security.
Click Site settings.
Scroll down to the Permissions section and click Location.
You’ll see a toggle at the top: Ask before accessing (or “Sites can ask for your location”).
- To disable location services entirely, turn this toggle off. Chrome will block all sites from requesting your location.
- To enable location services, turn the toggle on. Sites will be able to ask for your location.
Below the toggle, you’ll find two lists: Not allowed to see your location and Allowed to see your location. These override the global setting for specific sites. To add a site, click the Add button next to the appropriate list and enter the website’s URL.

On Android

Open the Chrome app on your Android device.
Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
Select Settings.
Tap Site settings (under “Advanced”).
Tap Location.
Toggle Ask before accessing to enable or disable location requests. When off, Chrome will automatically block all location requests.
You can also manage per-site permissions by tapping the lists below the toggle.

On iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Open the Chrome app on your iOS device.
Tap the three-dot menu (⋯) at the bottom.
Tap Settings.
Tap Content Settings.
Tap Location Services.
Toggle Location Services on or off. When off, Chrome will not ask for location and will block all requests.
To manage per-site permissions, scroll down to the list of websites that have requested location and tap each one to change its setting.

For a Single Site (Desktop and Android)

Visit the website that you want to manage.
Click the lock icon (or the information icon on Android) in the address bar, to the left of the URL.
Click Site settings (desktop) or Permissions (Android).
Find the Location dropdown and choose Ask, Allow, or Block.

Common Mistakes

Confusing Chrome’s setting with the device’s system setting. Chrome can only use location if your device’s system location is also enabled. Disabling it at the OS level will override Chrome’s permission.
Forgetting to refresh the page. After changing a site’s permission, you must reload the page for the new setting to take effect.
Using the wrong toggle. The “Ask before accessing” toggle is the master switch. If it’s off, adding a site to the “Allowed” list won’t work.
Not clearing old permissions. If you previously blocked a site, it stays in the “Block” list even after you enable location globally. You need to remove it from that list.

Tips

For privacy, keep location services disabled by default and allow only trusted sites (like maps or delivery services) on a case-by-case basis.
Use incognito mode if you want to test a site’s location prompt without saving any permissions.
On desktop, you can quickly check which sites have location access by going to chrome://settings/content/location.
If a site asks for location but you don’t want to share your exact position, consider using a VPN or browser extension that spoofs your location (though this may violate some sites’ terms).

Troubleshooting

Location prompt doesn’t appear

Check if the site is already blocked. Go to the lock icon → Site settings, and see if Location is set to “Block”. Change it to “Ask” or “Allow”.
Make sure your device’s system location is on. On Windows, go to Settings → Privacy → Location; on macOS, System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Location Services; on Android, Settings → Location; on iOS, Settings → Privacy → Location Services.
If you’re using a corporate or managed Chrome, your administrator may have disabled location prompts. Contact your IT support.

Chrome shows the wrong location

Your device’s location is determined by Wi-Fi, GPS, or IP address. If you’re on a VPN or using a proxy, the location may be inaccurate.
On desktop, Chrome uses your IP address to estimate location, which can be off by miles. For precise location, use a site that requests GPS or use a mobile device.
Clear your browsing data (cookies and cached files) and try again—stored data can sometimes interfere.

Location setting is grayed out

This usually means your device’s system location is disabled. Enable it in your OS settings, then return to Chrome.
On some Android devices, battery saver mode can disable location. Turn it off temporarily.

Changes don’t take effect

Always reload the page after changing permissions.
If you’re using a site in a pinned tab or a web app, close and reopen the tab.
Restart Chrome completely (close all windows and reopen) to apply changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling location services in Chrome stop all websites from knowing my location?

No. It stops websites from using Chrome’s location API, but sites can still infer your approximate location from your IP address. To hide that, use a VPN.

Can I allow location for one site but block it for others?

Yes. Use the per-site settings: add the site to the “Allowed” list while keeping the global toggle on, or set the site’s individual permission to “Allow” while others remain “Ask” or “Block”.

Why does Chrome ask for location even though I disabled it?

If you disabled the “Ask before accessing” toggle, Chrome should not ask. If it still asks, you may have changed the setting for that specific site to “Ask”—check the site’s permission via the lock icon.

Will disabling location services affect Google Maps in Chrome?

Yes. Google Maps won’t be able to show your precise location, but you can still search for places and get directions if you enter a starting point manually.

How do I reset all location permissions to default?

Go to chrome://settings/content/location and click the trash icon next to each site in the lists, or click “Reset permissions” at the top of the page (if available).

Does Chrome use my location even when I don’t visit a site that asks?

Chrome itself doesn’t use your location unless a site requests it. However, Google’s search engine may use your IP address to personalize results, but that’s separate from the location permission.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →