Spoof Your Geolocation: How to Change Location in Chrome and Firefox

Browsers automatically implement geolocation services which websites use to detect the user's location and tailor results to them. This feature can be handy, especially if you need map services. 

Despite the wonders of geolocation, some users prefer to spoof this feature for many reasons, including maintaining privacy and avoiding targeted ads display. 

In this article, learn how to disable geo-blocking in Chrome and Firefox to access more information online. 

How Do Chrome and Firefox Know Your Location?

Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are popular websites used by most internet users. Google Chrome has 3.2 billion users, while Mozilla Firefox has around 362 million users worldwide. 

These browsers can pinpoint your location by merging your IP address and neighboring wireless access points. They implement HTML5 geolocation API (Application Programming Interface), an interface allowing the software to use other programs. 

Browsers tracking your location utilize tools that work well with HTML5 geolocation API and can extract information such as GPS, IP address, Bluetooth information, and wifi data. 

By hiding your IP address, you may be able to spoof your location on Chrome and Firefox. There are many ways to do this, depending on what resource is available to you. 

Ways to Change Your Location in Chrome and Firefox

Changing your location on your browsers can come in handy for many reasons. Whether accessing geo-restricted content or playing games from a different server, changing your location can benefit you. 

Using VPN, manually change your location on your browser. There are also ways to unblock websites with proxy servers while maintaining online privacy. 

Below are some of the most effective ways to spoof your geolocation. 

Using VPN to Change Location in Firefox or Chrome

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) lets you switch your IP address to a new one. The VPN has protocols that facilitate a secure, encrypted connection, making your device assume that you are surfing from another location. 

VPNs can also help you choose which country you want to surf from. This can be useful for accessing geo-restricted content from a specific country. 

There are so many VPNs that you can use - one of which is ExpressVPN.

Here’s a quick guide on using ExpressVPN for your browser:

Step 1: Sign up for an ExpressVPN account. Choose from the three subscription plans (monthly, semi-annually, and annually).

Step 2: Once signed in, go to the ExpressVPN dashboard. Enter your ExpressVPN account credentials and the verification code from your email if needed.

Step 3: Click Download’ to obtain the ExpressVPN app for your device. Keep the browser open and copy the set-up activation code.

Step 4: Locate the downloaded file and install it. 

Step 5: When a prompt opens, click Sign in and input the set-up activation code. You can also opt to sign in using the email sign-in link.

Step 6: Once the app is activated, launch it on startup.

ExpressVPN works for both Chrome and Firefox browsers. They also offer a free trial for those who want to try it out first.

Remember that not all VPNs can unlock geo-restricted websites. Some services can even detect VPN or proxy servers. 

Manually Changing Your Location

If a VPN doesn’t work, manually changing your location can be a great option. By manually changing your location, the device will register you browsing from a different address. 

Here’s how you can do it on both Chrome and Firefox: 

Google Chrome

Step 1: Launch the Google Chrome window.

Step 2: Click the vertical three-dot icon at the uppermost right of the screen.

Step 3: Go to More Tools, then select Developer Tools.

Step 4: Once opened, click the three-dot icon below, and choose the Sensors tab.

Step 5: Choose from the Location dropdown menu. Click ‘other’ if you want a location not listed.

Step 6: Type in the latitude and longitude directly below the menu. You can choose coordinates using this site, LatLong.net.

Step 7: Continue your internet browsing while the development tools tab is open, as this spoofs your location. 

Step 8: Opening a new window will reset your location back to the original.

If you often use Chrome as your browser, you can implement these steps to save you from being spied on in the digital space. 

Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Launch the Firefox window.

Step 2: Type in about: config at the address bar.

Step 3: Tick ‘Accept the risk and Continue.’

Step 4: Select ‘Show All.'

Step 5: At the search bar, type in geobenabled.

Step 6: Double-click the result to change it into false.

Step 7: Input geo.wifi.uri at the search bar.

Step 8: Select ‘String’.

Step 9: Tick the + symbol.

Step 10: Input the location coordinates by replacing **** with the latitude and longitude (e.g., data:application/json,{"location": {"lat": ****, "lng": ****}, "accuracy": 27000.0})

Step 11: Click the ‘tick’ symbol.

Chrome and Firefox browsers are popular browsers that allow users to hide their locations manually. If this doesn’t work, shutting off your location services might be better. 

Shutting Off Location Services

Shutting off your location services is straightforward. If you’re still installing Chrome or Firefox, you can deny the request to access your location. If you’ve already installed your browsers, follow the steps below if you’re not doing the initial setup.

Android Device

If you are an Android user, masking your location in Chrome and Firefox can be as simple as disabling location services. 

Google Chrome

Here are the following steps to shut off your location services in Chrome while using an Android device:

Step 1: Launch the Chrome app on your Android device.

Step 2: Click the three-dot icon on the right side, and proceed to ‘Settings.’ 

Step 3: Click ‘Site Settings,’ then ‘Location.’

Step 4: Turn off ‘Location.’ 

Mozilla Firefox 

If you are using Mozilla Firefox as a default browser, you can also turn off location by: 

Step 1: Open the Mozilla Firefox app.

Step 2: Click ‘Settings,’ then ‘Site Permission.’

Step 3: Choose between permitting Firefox to use your location or not.

iPhone 

Here’s how you can shut off the location services of your Chrome or Firefox browser on an iPhone: 

Google Chrome

Step 1: Go to Settings.

Step 2: Click Privacy and Security.

Step 3: Select ‘Location Services.’

Step 4: Select the Chrome app, then turn off its precise location.

Follow these steps mentioned above so you can keep your iPhone device safe.

Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Open the Mozilla Firefox app.

Step 2: Click the three-line icon on the lower right of the screen.

Step 3: Click Tracking Protection.

Step 4: Choose between Standard or Strict.  This implies the intensity of shutting off traces from your browsing. 

It is possible to manually shut off your location services, no matter your device. You can just choose the method that works best for you. 

Using Proxy Servers

Proxy servers are similar to VPNs. They mediate between your device and the internet. When browsing with this mediator, the sites you visit see the proxy as the visitor instead of your device.

This way, you can keep your privacy while bypassing geo-restricted websites. 

You can change the proxy setting on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. To do these, follow the steps below: 

Google Chrome

Step 1: Open the Google Chrome window.

Step 2: Click on the three-dot icon, and select settings.

Step 3: Click on the Advanced tab to open the dropdown list.

Step 4: Click ‘System.’ 

Step 5: Click ‘Open your computer proxy settings’ on the right. 

Step 6: Configure the proxy settings using the script address or manually select the proxy server.

Step 7: To manually set it up, turn on the switch under ‘Use a proxy server.’ 

Step 8: Enter the address and port you want to use.

Step 9: Click ‘Save’ to apply settings. 

Chrome’s ability to change its proxy settings greatly benefits users by giving them more options for spoofing geolocations.

Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Open the Mozilla Firefox window.

Step 2: Click on the three-line icon on the uppermost right.

Step 3: Select ‘Settings.’

Step 4: On the general settings, scroll down to see ‘Network Settings.’ 

Step 5: Click the ‘Settings’ button under network settings. 

Step 6: Click ‘Manual Proxy Configuration’ in the connection settings pop-up.

Step 7: Input the details. 

Step 8: Click ‘OK’ to save settings. 

Allowing changes in proxy settings for both browsers gives users more options for protecting their data and location. This also gives you additional authority over your online activities. 

Importance of Changing Your Geolocation when Browsing

It is vital to change your location when browsing for various reasons, including:

• Finding accurate points of interest near your location.

It is helpful to change your location to make it more accurate. This way, browsers like Chrome and Firefox can give more correct suggestions.

• Protecting your privacy.

Changing your location settings can also help maintain your location privacy. This can protect you from spies or any unsolicited targeted ads. 

• Implementing online security. 

Chrome notifies you of any strange log-ins using location. If you are not using an accurate location, Chrome can have difficulty assessing the log-in and giving the alerts.

Bottom Line

Changing your actual location can be very helpful in securing your privacy in the digital space. It can also help you quickly access geo-restricted websites.

These methods can help you start changing your location in Chrome or Firefox so that you can protect your online privacy.