How to Change Location on Google Chrome in 2024

Google Chrome is among the most used browsers today. However, it’s not the best in terms of privacy, as it actively tracks your location data. For this, it uses your GPS data, Wi-Fi info, and your IP address. That said, most websites you visit on Chrome determine your location using your IP address. 

It’s not uncommon for sites to block your connection if you’re not physically present in a particular region. For example, you can’t watch Hulu in your Chrome browser while traveling outside the US. The solution here is to change your location on Google Chrome with a VPN, giving you a new IP address from another region.

In this article, we will teach you how you can change your location on Google Chrome with a VPN, why you should use a VPN, and what are the best Chrome VPNs. You will also learn how Google Chrome tracks your location and how you can stop it.

How to Change Location on Google Chrome with a VPN

To change location on Google Chrome, get a VPN and connect to a server in any location. If you use Windows/Mac, you can download your VPN’s Chrome extension or its native client for your operating system. 

Keep in mind that most VPNs offer standalone extensions, while some are designed to let you control the desktop app from within your browser, giving you a more powerful set of options (as shown below).  

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to change your location on Chrome:

1. Subscribe to a capable VPN (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download the VPN’s client and install it. 
3. Open the client, log in, and complete the initial setup.
4. Open the Chrome Web Store and download NordVPN’s extension.
5. Choose “Add Extension” to accept the permissions.
6. Click the Chrome browser’s extensions menu and open the extension.
7. Choose a server from within the extension’s dialog box and hit “Connect.” 
8. Your Google Chrome location has now changed, and you can start browsing securely. That’s it!

If you need more detailed information, head over to our guide on how to set up a VPN on Google Chrome, with more methods explained.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Change Your Google Chrome Location?

You need a VPN to change your Google Chrome location because it protects your privacy by changing your IP address. On top of that, even when you enable location on Google, a VPN lets you bypass geo-restrictions and keeps your data safe from misuse.

Let’s look at why you need a VPN for Google Chrome:

• Location Spoofing: A VPN allows you to change your country virtually, making it appear as if you're browsing from that location. This hides your real location and anonymizes you on the Internet.
• Access Region-Specific Content: Many streaming services, news websites, and online platforms restrict content based on geographical location. The best VPNs for Google Chrome let you bypass these restrictions and access content as if you were in the desired country.
• Hide Your Browsing Activity: Without a VPN, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), government agencies, and hackers can view your online activities including your search location when you run a Google search. A VPN encrypts your data, ensuring that your online actions stay private.
• Hide Your IP Address (from ISPs, government, and hackers): Every device connected to the Internet has a unique IP, which can reveal your geographical location and other details. A VPN masks your IP address, making it difficult for websites and third parties to track you.
• Bypass Bandwidth Throttling: ISPs sometimes slow down your Internet speed when streaming, gaming, or engaging in high-bandwidth activities. A VPN helps you avoid these speed reductions by hiding your online activities from your ISP.
• Connect Safely to Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them a hotspot for cyber-criminals. A VPN ensures that your connection is encrypted, safeguarding your data from potential threats.

Best VPNs for Changing Google Chrome Location

The best VPNs for changing Google Chrome location should fulfill certain criteria. On the most basic level, they should have a Chrome extension, military-grade encryption, and the ability to unblock geo-restricted content on Chrome. Bonus features include simultaneous device connections, obfuscated servers, and responsive customer support. 

Based on these criteria, these are the 3 best VPNs to change Google Chrome location:

1. NordVPN: This VPN offers advanced security features for Chrome, like strong encryption, obfuscated servers, and double-hop VPN. If you are wondering, the process to add NordVPN to Google Chrome is extremely simple, and all you have to do is download its Chrome extension. Along with that, it has a no-logs policy. Lastly, it is suitable for people with multiple devices because it lets you connect 6 devices simultaneously, and has 24/7 live support as well.
2. ExpressVPN: This is one of the most sophisticated VPNs that lets you unblock region-blocked sites on Chrome. Furthermore, it’s easy to install ExpressVPN on Google Chrome. On top of that, this VPN features 256-bit AES encryption. It would also not be wrong to say that ExpressVPN takes privacy seriously because it has a strict no-logs policy. Furthermore, it lets you connect 8 devices simultaneously. If you have any issues, you can always reach out to its 24/7 customer support.
3. CyberGhost VPN: You can use CyberGhost VPN on Google Chrome by downloading its extension on a PC/Mac. You can use it to unlock geo-restricted content on Chrome. On top of that, it has optimized streaming servers. CyberGhost’s security features are in line with other top VPNs since it has 256-bit AES encryption, a secure list of protocols, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. It also has live chat support and lets you connect 7 devices simultaneously.

How Does Google Chrome Know My Location?

Google Chrome knows your location using various methods like tracking your IP address, Wi-Fi data, and other browser-specific details. Such precise tracking would allow Google to use your location to offer location-based features, such as localized search results, weather updates, and map directions.

Beyond your immediate location, Google Chrome also gathers various data points, including Bluetooth information, nearby Wi-Fi networks, and GPS data on mobile devices. 

While these features can enhance your browsing experience with personalized content, they also mean you're actively sharing your location data. If privacy is a priority for you, you have the option to adjust or block this sharing in Chrome's location settings.

How to Change Google Chrome Location on Your Devices

You can change Google Chrome location on your devices by turning off location detection in the browser’s settings. However, this does not stop the browser from detecting your IP, which is unique and tied to your location. So, we recommend using a VPN in combination with these methods.

That being said, let’s look at how you can change Chrome location on different devices. 

Change Google Chrome Location on iPhone

If you are not using a VPN on your iPhone, your options are limited to blocking Chrome’s location-tracking feature. On the other hand, using a VPN on an iPhone will let you change your Chrome location.

Here are the steps you need to follow to achieve this. 

1. Open your iPhone settings.
2. Tap the Chrome app after scrolling down.
3. Open “Location” and set Google Chrome Location to “Never.” 
4. Google Chrome will stop tracking your location.
5. Open your VPN app on your iPhone.
6. Choose your preferred server location. 
7. Hit “Connect” to turn on the VPN.
8. Use Chrome with your new location.

Change Google Chrome Location on Android

Android lets you disable Chrome’s location tracking from within the app. On top of that, you can use a VPN on your Android phone to fully change your Chrome location. 

To do that, follow the steps below: 

1. Open Chrome on your Android device.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
3. Choose “Settings” and scroll down.
4. Tap on “Site Settings.” 
5. Toggle off the “Location” option.
6. Open the VPN app on your smartphone.
7. Choose a server in your preferred country.
8. Tap on “Connect.”
9. Use Chrome on Android with a new location.

Change Google Location on a PC or Mac

If you are not worried about changing your online location and simply want to turn off location on Google Chrome to preserve your privacy, this is what you can do: 

1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your PC or Mac. 
2. Enter “chrome://settings” in the address bar. 
3. Click on “Advanced” in the menu on the left. 
4. Open “Privacy and Security.”
5. Click on “Site Settings” and choose “Location.” 
6. Toggle the “Location” feature off.

How to Turn off Google Chrome Location Tracking

To turn off Google Chrome location tracking, toggle off the permissions in your browser’s settings. However, this may affect certain websites and their functionalities that require location access, such as weather updates, maps, food delivery, etc.

Here are the steps to turn off Google Chrome’s location tracking feature:

1. Open your Chrome browser on a PC/Mac.
2. Click the three dots in the right-hand corner of your screen. 
3. Open the settings. 
4. Click on “Advanced” and open “Privacy and Security.”
5. Open the ‘Site Settings” and click “Location.”
6. Toggle off the “Location” option to block it. 

Final Thoughts

Capable VPNs usually offer an extension for Chrome’s Windows/Mac version, allowing you to quickly change your virtual location. These extensions work just like the regular VPN client and offer the same level of protection. That said, they’re the best way to change your Google Chrome location on-demand. 

That said, we recommend NordVPN because it offers an excellent extension for Chrome, along with military-grade security and other useful features. Unlike most other Chrome extensions, it offers high-end privacy and security, allowing you to change your location while upgrading your Web browsing experience. 

We hope this article taught you everything that you should know about changing location on Google Chrome. If you have any comments, feel free to write them below.