Websites can ask the browser for your location. That can be useful for maps, weather, and nearby search results, but it is not something every shopping, news, or random site needs. You can block location requests globally or remove access from one site that already has permission.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on Windows or Mac. These steps control website location prompts inside the browser; they do not turn off location services for apps or the entire device.
Turn off location access for all sites
The setting is similar across the main desktop browsers.
- Chrome and Edge: Open the three-dot menu, then go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Location. In Chrome, select Don’t allow sites to see your location. In Edge, turn location permission off. Review the allowed list below and remove old entries with the trash icon if you no longer trust them.
- Firefox: Open the menu button, choose Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and click Settings next to Location. Enable Block new requests asking to access your location, then click Save Changes.
- Safari on Mac: Open Safari > Settings > Websites, select Location in the sidebar, and set When visiting other websites to Deny.
Block location for just one site
Use this when one specific website should stop asking, but you still want other sites to be able to request permission.
- Open the site you want to change.
- Click the icon at the left side of the address bar. It may look like a lock, sliders, or an information icon depending on the browser.
- Find Location in the permissions list.
- Set it to Block, Deny, or off.
- Reload the page so the new permission takes effect.
The site should stop showing the browser location prompt unless you later change the permission back.
More control
This is separate from device location services
Browser location settings stop websites from requesting precise location through the browser prompt. They do not change Windows Location, macOS Location Services, phone GPS, or app permissions. Those are controlled in the operating system settings.
Your IP address can still reveal a general area
Blocking location prompts does not hide the approximate location associated with your internet connection. Many sites can still estimate a city or region from your IP address. A VPN changes that estimate, but browser permission alone does not.
Some sites have a valid reason to ask
Maps, weather, travel, local search, delivery, and ride services may work better with location. Sites unrelated to your physical location usually do not need it, so declining is reasonable.
Check the result
Visit a site that previously asked for location. You should either see no prompt or see results based on a broad fallback location instead of your precise device position.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Change location settings (2025)
- Mozilla Support – Location-Aware Browsing (2025)
- Apple Support – Change website settings in Safari on Mac (2025)