Your browser uses different types and sources of information to identify your location. These include:
- Your IP address
- Geolocation via HTML5 in your browser (which uses GPS, Wi-Fi tracking, and Bluetooth tracking)
- Your PC’s language and time settings (and further browser fingerprinting)
With this information, strangers online will be able to find out where you are. Marketing schemes use it to target you with location-specific advertisements, for example. If you don’t want these parties to trace your location via your browser, use a VPN in combination with a GPS spoofer.
A VPN makes your activity on the internet much more anonymous. VPNOverview recommends Surfshark, since it can change both your virtual IP address and your GPS location in one go.
Surfshark
Want to know more about tracking methods your browsers might use to determine your location? Or are you curious to learn what information you’re sharing with your browser right now? Read our full article below.
Many websites display your physical location on their homepage, indicating that they know exactly where you are. For example, you might encounter a pop-up that asks whether you would prefer to visit the French version when you’re on the English version of a website while in France. This can be very convenient, but it also means that websites know exactly where you are, wherever you are, which can be damaging to your privacy.
How does your browser know where you are? Is this dangerous? Maybe you want to know how to fake a GPS location or stop your browser from tracking you. These are the main questions and issues we’ll be answering in this article.
How Does My Browser Know My Location?
You might be wondering whether websites can really track your device’s location at any given moment. The answer, in most cases, is yes. The internet knows exactly where you are through tricks like GPS tracking and HTML5 geolocation.
If you don’t take the right steps to prevent it, your browser leaks a massive amount of information about you. So, is your browser tracking your location? Check out our location tool below to find out!
Surprised by how much information your browser knows about you? You can prevent this and guard your online privacy by using a VPN and a GPS spoofer. Activate both, and your browser no longer knows where you are. You’ll be protecting yourself from invasive data collection, which could otherwise be used against you.
Surfshark provides the perfect solution, as it offers both a VPN service and a GPS location spoofer in one.
What is HTML5 Geolocation?
There are several ways for your browser to track your location. Some are highly accurate, while others merely give a rough estimation. The most common way for your browser to track your location is through HTML5 geolocation. Most well-known browsers use this tool to share your location, meaning websites can adjust advertisements or languages to your location.
HTML5 geolocation works via an Application Programming Interface (API). Simply put, an API is a software interface that offers a service to other pieces of software, allowing them to use a certain program or tool.
With the right API, a tool can be used by multiple other programs or tools. The browsers that want to track your location use browser tools that communicate with the HTML5 Geolocation API. This makes it possible to use location tracking in various browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
The HTML5 geolocation API extracts information about your location from various sources, including:
- GPS
- IP address
- Wi-Fi data
- Bluetooth information
Although these are the main sources HTML5 uses, it doesn’t stop there. It may also use any information provided by users themselves. This means that you always need to be careful of the data you share about yourself online.
Each of these methods of tracking could reveal your location by themselves, but combined, they give HTML5 geolocation an incredible amount of information to work with. Below we will discuss how these different sources track your location and how you can stop them.
GPS on mobile devices
GPS is one of the most important sources of location data for mobile devices. It’s the same technology that Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other navigation apps use. It will give websites and apps an exact answer as to where you are, so they can tell you precisely when you need to take that right turn.
However, many PCs and laptops don’t work with GPS, so the API can’t gather this information. If you get a fake GPS app on your phone (like Surfshark‘s location spoofer or Fake GPS Location) to fake your GPS location on Android and iPhone, you can partly thwart HTML5 geolocation on there, too. Unfortunately, there are plenty of other ways in which it might be able to determine where you are.
Location-tracking through IP address
Your IP address is one of the less popular tools for HTML 5 Geolocation to identify your location. IP stands for “Internet Protocol.” An IP address is a unique code that identifies the internet network you’re connected to. Because of that, your devices are able to communicate with the internet. If your IP address wasn’t sent to the websites you visit, you wouldn’t be able to access them.
Unfortunately, your IP address shares a lot of information, including the location of your network, with websites and other online entities. This location can be as accurate as your street and house number. Are you at number 15, Park Avenue in New York? The API will know. Even if you use GPS spoofing, you give away your IP and your actual location.
Worse still, websites can identify your IP address, even if you didn’t give your browser permission to use HTML5 geolocation. In other words, your IP address betrays your location all by itself.
So, how do you get around sharing your IP with the entire internet? You can hide your IP address by using a VPN. Surfshark, for example, will give you a new IP address and matching location, which will overwrite your own information. It basically allows you to play a virtual game of hide-and-seek, but without any effort on your part and with the added advantage that you’ll be able to browse the web freely and more anonymously.
Do you want to know what your IP address currently reveals about you? Check out our IP address tool. On this page, you’ll see directly what others can gather from your IP address.
Wi-Fi access points
If you open up your phone’s Wi-Fi settings while walking through town, you’ll see all sorts of networks pop up. McDonald’s free Wi-Fi, the private networks of any nearby homes, and even the hotspot connection of a random passer-by – they will all appear. Even if you don’t connect to these Wi-Fi networks, information about them is stored.
How does this relate to HTML5 geolocation? Many major browsers like Chrome and Edge offer location services that continuously collect information about Wi-Fi access points and network IDs (SSIDs). Every Wi-Fi network you come into contact with has its own location, and that can be used to track your movements. If you walk past that McDonald’s on your way to work, simply being near that particular Wi-Fi point could notify your browser (and other parties) about your location. This invasive practice is called Wi-Fi location tracking.
Big companies like Google can combine information about Wi-Fi networks with GPS information to find out more about your location. Even the strength of a Wi-Fi signal says something about your distance to a certain Wi-Fi network. This information can then be compared to the data of other people’s devices that do have their GPS activated. This way, companies can find out where you are, even when you’ve hidden your IP address, and your GPS is turned off.
The best way to avoid this is to turn off the Wi-Fi on your devices while you’re on the go.
Bluetooth location
Similar to Wi-Fi signals, your Bluetooth connection can help identify your location. Active Bluetooth signals in your environment can be transmitted to Google and Apple. The databases that contain all of this information are huge.
When these companies can see the Bluetooth signals that your phone or computer receives, they can cross-reference this with information from other devices that have been near the same signals. This way, these companies – as well as your browser – can identify your location even when your GPS is turned off.
Bluetooth can give a very precise estimation of your location, with an accuracy of up to five meters. That’s why Bluetooth can be dangerous if you’re not aware of the risks. The best way to prevent revealing your location this way is simply to turn off your Bluetooth when you’re not actively using it.
Beyond HTML5: language and time zone
Your browser and the websites you visit might also be able to use other elements, beyond HTML5, to get a sense of your location. While much less precise, your language preferences and chosen timezone can reveal a lot about you, especially when combined with other methods like those mentioned above.
Imagine an internet user choosing “Swedish” as their preferred language on a website they’re visiting. That, combined with a CET (Central European Time) timezone, could help draw the conclusion that that user is most likely in Sweden.
While these techniques don’t reveal that much about a user by themselves, combining them can lead to a thorough, detailed profile on practically any visitor of a website. This method of collecting and combining little bits of information is called browser fingerprinting and can be hard to circumvent.
If you want to play it safe, it’s best to choose a language that is commonly spoken in large parts of the world, like English, for both your browser and your OS.
Can I Turn Off HTML5 Geolocation?
If you give Google Chrome permission to share your location with a website, that browser sends local network information to Google Location Services. This way, the browser can estimate your location. That estimation is then shared with the website. Your browser can subsequently make a more accurate estimation by combining Wi-Fi access points, GPS, local router(s), and your IP address.
The good news is that it’s fairly easy to stop this process: if you don’t give your device permission to share your location with your browser, the browser can’t make this more accurate estimation. This stops the HTML5 geolocation, so your sensitive information can’t be used by websites – so make sure to always have this turned off in your settings. This way, you disable the most accurate technique used by browsers to recognize your location.
Follow the guides below to stop your device from sharing your location with your browser, in turn, preventing HTML5 geolocation.
Stop HTLM5 geolocation on Windows
Here’s how to disallow your browser from accessing your location. These steps apply to any browser.
- Go to Windows’s settings by clicking the Windows logo key + “i” or searching for it in your search bar.
- On the left-hand side, click on “Privacy & Security” in the list of tabs.
- Scroll down to the app permissions section and click on “Location.”
- Find your browser in the list of apps and make sure the slider on the right-hand side is turned to “Off.”
Tip:
For optimal privacy, make sure the sliders for “Location services” and “Let apps access your location” are turned off altogether. Do keep in mind that this might keep certain apps, like Maps, from working properly.
Turn off geolocation on Mac
You can also turn off location recognition on Mac. Here’s how you do that:
- Go to “Security & Privacy” in your settings and click “Privacy.”
- Click the lock and enter your Apple password.
- Go to “Location Services.”
- Search for your browser in the app list and uncheck the box in front of it.
Tip:
If you’d like to disable location recognition on your entire Mac, remove the check in the box in front of “Enable Location Services.” Keep in mind that this might keep some apps from functioning properly.
Disable HTML5 geolocation on Android
These steps will show you how to hide your location from your browser on Android.
- Go to your phone’s “Settings” app.
- Scroll down to “Apps.”
- Click on “Manage Apps.”
- Search for the browser in the search bar. If you use the Chrome browser, for instance, type in “Chrome” and tap the result.
- Open “App permissions.”
- Click on “Location.”
- Click on “Don’t allow” to prevent your browser from knowing your location.
Does revoking permission stop location tracking completely?
Turning off your settings seems like a simple solution, but unfortunately, it’s not completely foolproof.
The developers of the API for HTML5 geolocation have clear rules for the use of their technology. Users of the API must protect the privacy of their visitors and make sure that no location information will be made available through the API without the visitor having given express permission.
However, even without using HTML5 geolocation, there are plenty of ways to identify your location – like tracking your IP address. If you’d like to enjoy the internet without strangers being constantly aware of your location, you’ll need some extra help.
How to Hide Your Location From Your Browser
Since your browser can infer your location from HTML5 geolocation, your IP address, and other tactics like browser fingerprinting, you’ll need a tool that guards you against all of those to protect yourself. There are two main things you need for this:
- A VPN: VPNs shield your internet connection from third parties by assigning you a new IP address that hides your real IP address and location. On top of that, it encrypts your internet traffic, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to obtain your data.
- A GPS spoofer: Spoofer software will fake your GPS location for you, overriding your real location. This makes HTML5 geolocation much harder, especially on smartphones.
If you get the right VPN, you can spoof your GPS and your IP in one go, giving yourself the best protection against location tracking through your browser. Surfshark is an excellent solution.
Hide your location with Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is one of our all-time favorite VPNs. It has servers in over a hundred countries all over the world, meaning you can change your online location to any one of them. Surfshark’s easy-to-use app and computer software make online privacy available to anyone.
The best part? With Surfshark, you can easily spoof your IP address as well as your GPS location on Android, so your browser (and any other curious onlookers) no longer know whether you’re in your local Starbucks, on your couch, or in a country halfway across the world. This means you will be able to unblock new content on the internet. Surfshark will allow you to watch shows on the American version of Netflix, even when you’re not in the US, for example.
Surfshark is also one of the cheapest VPNs of this moment, especially when you consider the quality and all of the extra features you get in return. Would you like to try it out? Click the orange button below to head to Surfshark’s website.
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
If you want to learn more about this VPN and its many advantages, read our extensive review on Surfshark.
How to use Surfshark’s geo-spoofing feature on Android
One of the best features Surfshark offers is its “Override GPS location” option on Android. This so-called GEO spoofing option makes sure your GPS location matches the location of the VPN server you’re connected to — useful if you’re trying to hide where you are or just want to protect your privacy.
Keep in mind that this option currently only works on Surfshark’s app for Android.
To activate the “Override GPS location” option, follow these steps:
- Open the Surfshark app on your Android device.
- Connect to a VPN server in your preferred location. You can use the tab “Locations” to browse through your options.
- Tap “Settings” in the bottom right corner and go to “VPN Settings.”
- Scroll down and open “Advanced Settings.”
- Tap the slider behind “Override GPS Location.”
- Click “Let’s Go” to start tweaking your Android settings.
- Go to your phone’s “Settings” and click on “About Phone.”
- Scroll down to “Build number” and tap this section seven times in a row.
- Fill in your phone’s security code and wait until you see the message “You are now a developer!” pop up.
- Go back to your Surfshark app, click next, and click on “Open Settings.”
- In the “Developer Options” screen, scroll down and tap “Select Mock Location App.”
- Select Surfshark.
- Go back to the Surfshark app and make sure the “Override GPS Location” slider from step 6 is now green.
Once completed, your GPS location will match your VPN server’s location. With one simple click, you’ll be able to make it seem as if you’re in a different place altogether.
If you’d like to check whether your GPS location is spoofed properly, you can use the tool at the top of this page. The map should show your location as the area you chose in the Surfshark app!
Fake GPS Location Apps
If you don’t want to use a VPN like Surfshark, or you have a system that isn’t supported by Surfshark’s spoofing feature, you can use alternative apps. This can be as simple as downloading the right application and setting things up, but sometimes it’s a little more complicated than that. Below, we’ll dive into ways to spoof your location on iPhone and give some extra alternatives for Android.
How to fake a GPS location on an iPhone
Since Surfshark’s GPS spoofer only works on Android, iPhone users will have to look elsewhere for a solution. Unfortunately, Apple is much more restrictive than Android. If Apple realizes a GPS spoofing app has managed to sneak its way onto the App Store, you can be sure it’ll vanish shortly after.
There are three ways to fake your location on iPhone, but not all of them are approved of by Apple:
| Method/Tool | Details |
|---|---|
| GFaker | If you’ve got some cash to splash, check out GFaker. This third-party, external USB device can spoof your GPS location on your iPhone. The manufacturer uses Apple chipsets and approved components, so you’ll be in their good books. |
| Jailbreaking | A jailbroken iPhone allows for more customizations, but comes with risks. Our complete guide on jailbreaking iPhone will tell you how to do this and use Cydia to download a location spoofer app for iPhone, such as Location Faker or Location Handle. |
| iBackupBot | If you have a Mac available, you can use iTunes and iBackupBot to manually spoof your GPS location. |
You’ll find a full guide for using iBackupBot below. However, keep in mind that you need a Mac computer in order for this method to work.
Warning:
Apple is against GPS spoofing. Taking the steps below is at your own risk!
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac with iTunes and launch the program.
- Click on the phone icon and select “Back Up Now.” Wait for the backup to be completed.
- Download iBackupBot.
- Close iTunes and launch iBackupBot. It should automatically detect your backup files and open them in the software.
- In iBackupBot, look for the Apple Maps “plist” file. This should be in one of the following directories:
- User App Files > com.Apple.Maps > Library > Preferences
- System Files > HomeDomain > Library > Preferences
- Copy and paste the following text underneath the code: _internal_PlaceCardLocationSimulation
- Close iBackupBot without unplugging your phone.
- Go into your iPhone’s settings menu and disable “Find My iPhone.”
- Back up your iPhone from the backup file you modified using iTunes.
- Open Apple Maps and navigate to a preferred GPS location.
- Click the button at the bottom of the app to simulate your location.
Now, you’ve got a fake GPS location! You can test this with other location-based apps, including dating apps.
Fake GPS app alternatives for Android
We’d recommend using Surfshark to fake your location on Android devices. If you’d rather use something else, however, you’re in luck. It’s pretty easy to find a fake GPS location app in the Play Store, so here’s a quick and brief rundown of some options you could use.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Fake GPS Location | This is a pretty nice app with a decent UI (user interface). User feedback is good, too, with a 4/5-star rating from thousands of reviews. Best of all, it’s free. |
| Mock GPS | In addition to spoofing your general location, this app gives you a GPS joystick app mode that lets you move around without taking a single step. |
| Fake GPS GO Location Spoofer | This app was designed with “Pokemon GO” players in mind. The UI isn’t quite as nice as some of the other apps, but you can try it if you have teething issues with those. |
Activating these apps works a lot like activating Surfshark’s geo-spoofing feature: you’ll have to make yourself a developer within your phone’s settings and allow the app of your choice to overwrite your location.
Whether you’re downloading one of the apps above or a different one you found yourself, it’s important to be careful with your data. Don’t allow any application permissions that look suspicious. For example, these apps shouldn’t need access to your contact list or microphone.
Pros and Cons of Spoofing Your Location
Hiding your location does more than just keep your browser off your tail. In the table below, we summarize the key benefits and disadvantages of spoofing your location using a VPN and a GPS spoofer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You’ll be better protected against hackers and cybercrime | Some apps and services might not work properly (like Maps) |
| You can bypass geo-blocks to get access to more parts of the internet | You might experience slower internet speeds than usual |
| You can unblock more movies and shows on streaming services like Netflix | |
| You’ll prevent invasive tracking by websites | |
| You’ll be more anonymous while downloading |
In Short: How Your Browser Knows Where You Are
There are various ways for external parties to estimate your location online. In addition to your IP address, browsers can see your location via HTML5 geolocation, while some websites even make an estimation based on your preferred language and time zone. You can turn off HTML5 geolocation in your device’s settings, but for further tracker blocking, you’ll need some extra help.
If you want to be safer and more anonymous, opt for a VPN so your IP address stays hidden and no one can see what you’re doing online. Surfshark even has an Android GPS spoofer to be used on top of their regular VPN service, so you can keep your location more private.
Not sold on Surfshark? Our top 5 list of the best VPNs provides you with an overview of the providers we recommend.
Do you have a question about your browser’s location tracking? Check out our FAQ below for answers!
There are several ways in which a browser can see your location, but HTML5 geolocation is by far the most commonly used method – especially by well-known browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. This technology collects information from your IP address and the unique information of the network you’re connected to by using an API. Read on about browser location and tracking if you’d like to know more.
Yes. There are several ways to prevent your browser from knowing where you are:
- Turn off location recognition in your browser settings. Every well-known browser has this setting.
- Use a VPN. This is the easiest way to make sure no one can see your IP address – and therefore your location – both within and outside your browser.
- Use a GPS spoofer. This will overwrite your actual GPS location and hide your location.
A great service that offers both a VPN and a GPS geo-spoofing function is Surfshark VPN. Read more in our full Surfshark review.
Not always, although some websites might give you an indication. They might send you to a different version of their website based on your location and language choice. One example of this is Google, which automatically shows the British version of its search engine if you’re in the United Kingdom. You can use our browser leak testing tool to see what information your browser has about you, including your location.
