Google is introducing a new approximate location sharing option to Chrome for Android, replacing the previous all-or-nothing location permissions model. Users can now share their neighborhood-level location with websites instead of their exact coordinates. The update was announced on the Google blog and is currently being rolled out to mobile devices first.
According to Google, the feature will be available on Chrome for desktop in the coming months. No specific release date has been provided for the desktop version.
How Chrome’s new approximate location permission works on Android
When a website asks for your location, Chrome now shows two options with the usual Allow and Block buttons. You can choose between exact, which shares your exact coordinates, or approximate, which only provides your general neighborhood.
This gives users more control over which sites receive detailed location data and which sites receive only broad regional estimates. For example, a recipe site or weather page may only need an approximate location, while a food delivery service or maps app can access exact coordinates if necessary.
New developer API for approximate location requests
Google is introducing new APIs that enable web developers to specify whether their site needs precise location data or can make do with approximate information. Google is recommending that developers opt for approximate location requests when precise coordinates are not necessary.
The update follows sweeping location privacy changes introduced in Android 17, giving users more control over which apps can access their precise location and when.
Google has not announced when the approximate location feature will be available for all Chrome for Android users or in which Chrome versions the change will be enabled by default.
