How to change location on Google Chrome in 2026

Your online location affects more than you might think – from the search results you get to the ads you see and the websites you can access. It can also reveal unnecessary data about your browsing habits. Whether you’re trying to view region-specific content, test geo-based features, or reduce tracking, learning how to change location on Google Chrome is an important skill.

In this guide, I cover the most reliable ways to change your browser location in 2026. I also recommend the best VPNs for it, based on testing I’ve done with our research team.

How to change location on Google Chrome with VPN

1. Choose the best VPN for Chrome, I recommend NordVPN, now 76% OFF
2. Download and install the software
3. Connect to a server in the location you want
4. Relaunch your Chrome browser and log back in
5. Start surfing the internet

Why would you change your Google Chrome location?

Google uses your geolocation to personalize search results, ads, and website access. While this can improve relevance, it can also limit what you can see and expose more data than necessary. Here are the main reasons to change your location on Google Chrome using a reliable VPN or other methods:

• Mask your geolocation. Advertisers use location data for targeted ads, while malicious actors can use it to tailor scams. Spoofing your location helps reduce profiling and risky personalization.
• Access geo-restricted content. Some websites, services, and platforms block access by region, and changing your location can help you bypass these blocks. For example, a TikTok VPN can help you unblock TikTok in regions where it’s restricted.
• Unlock better prices. Prices for subscriptions, flights, and products often vary by country, so switching locations can help you find cheaper deals.
• Encrypt your internet traffic. With a VPN, you can hide your IP address and encrypt your connection. This makes tracking far more difficult, especially if you use obfuscated servers.
• Protect yourself during travel. A travel VPN will increase your security on public Wi-Fi and protect your data from online surveillance and cybercriminals.

How to change the default Chrome location

If you want to improve your privacy, it might be enough to change the default Chrome location settings manually. This way, your chosen website won’t be able to track your location. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1. Open Google Chrome on your device and go to the website you want to browse.

Step 2. In the top-right corner, click the three-dot icon and select More tools and then Developer tools.

Step 3. Click the three dots in the top-right corner, find More tools, and click on Sensors.

Step 4. In the bottom-left corner, find the Location dropdown menu. Either choose a city from the list or click on Other and enter your latitude and longitude.

Step 5. Refresh the page – the site should now detect your new location.

Recommended VPNs to change location on Chrome

When it comes to choosing a VPN, the market is flooded with providers promising to meet all your requirements. But the truth is that not all VPNs can change your location on Chrome. And what’s worse, many of them come with significant flaws, such as slow speeds, limited functionality, and weak security.

I've reviewed 41 VPNs and have pulled together a selection of recommended Chrome VPNs that can change your region on your browser:

1. NordVPN – best VPN to change location on Chrome in 2026
2. Surfshark – budget-friendly Chrome VPN
3. ProtonVPN – Chrome VPN with great privacy options

If you need more insights, be sure to check out our guide to the best VPNs for Chrome.

How to change Chrome location on your device

Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers and is available on all top devices. Having said that, if you want to change your location on Chrome, the steps will be slightly different depending on what device and operating system you use. Here’s how to change your Chrome location on PCs and phones.

Change Chrome location on PC

Chrome is a very popular browser on both Windows and macOS. And the good news is, regardless of which operating system you use, it’s not difficult to change your location on your browser. Just follow these simple steps to get it done:

1. Download and install a VPN on your computer – I recommend NordVPN, now 76% OFF
2. Connect to a server in the location you want to access
3. Open your Chrome browser and see if your location has changed
4. If it hasn’t unblocked the sites you want, go to your Chrome Settings, click Privacy and security, and then go to Site settings
5. Hit Location and select Don’t allow sites to see your location

Change Chrome location on your Android phone

It’s remarkably easy to change your location on Chrome using your Android smartphone. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Choose a VPN to change your Chrome location on Android – I’d pick NordVPN, now 76% OFF
2. Download and install a VPN from the Google Play Store
3. Create a new Google account and select your new location
4. Open your Chrome app and go to Settings, then Site settings, and tap on Location
5. Select Don’t allow sites to see your location

Change Chrome location on your iPhone

The process for changing your Chrome location on an Apple phone is slightly different but just as straightforward. Just follow these steps:

1. Select a VPN to change Chrome location on an iPhone – NordVPN worked great for me, now 76% OFF
2. Download and install a VPN app from the Apple App Store
3. Create a new Apple ID and select your new location
4. Go to Settings, scroll down, and tap on the Chrome app
5. Hit Location and select Never, Ask Next Time, or While Using the App

Can’t change location on Chrome with a VPN?

However hard you try, there might be occasions when you can’t change your Chrome location. If you find yourself in this position, check that your VPN is definitely working, and make sure that you’ve connected to a server in the right location.

If you’re sure it’s neither of these things, take a look at our guide on how to use a VPN, or check for these common issues:

• Your true IP address may be leaking
• Your VPN can’t unblock the geo-restrictions on the site or service you’re trying to access
• Your cookies may be giving away your real location

To fix these problems, I suggest:

• Checking that you have IP leak protection enabled on your VPN app or browser extension
• Clearing your cache and cookies
• Connecting to a different server
• Reaching out to your VPN’s customer service for advice

If all this fails, it could be time to opt for an anonymous VPN that won't disappoint.

Change Chrome location with a free VPN

If you want to use a free VPN to change your Chrome location, I suggest using a freemium, which is a free version of a reputable VPN that has paid-for options. Although most free VPNs are pretty basic, I suggest trying Proton VPN – it doesn’t impose data caps and comes with adequate security.

On the other hand, if you want to try a VPN to change your location while you’re on holiday, you could sign up for a free trial of a paid VPN. My favorite VPNs for Chrome offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you could try them out before committing to a longer payment plan. To find out more, take a look at our tips on how to claim a NordVPN free trial or a Surfshark free trial.

How to use VPN with Chrome: useful tips

For the best Chrome VPN experience, I recommend following the tips below:

• Enable the auto-connect feature. Ensure you’re connected to a VPN before opening your Chrome browser. Providers, like NordVPN, have auto-connect features, helping you not to forget to enable VPN traffic.
• Use split tunneling functionality. Enabling split tunneling while using a Chrome VPN will let you adjust on which websites your traffic will be routed through an encrypted tunnel.
• Install a VPN browser extension. Even if you’re using a VPN client version, installing a Chrome VPN extension can protect you from IP address leaks by blocking WebRTC communication protocols.
• Enable DNS leak protection. By using DNS (IP) leak protection, you may achieve a greater level of online privacy.
• Use an advanced tunneling protocol. For the best protection and connection speeds, I recommend you use the WireGuard tunneling protocol or proprietary versions of it, like NordLynx with NordVPN.

How Google knows your location

Google can figure out where you are using more than just one signal. The most obvious one is your IP address, which shows your general region. If you’re on a phone or tablet, Google can also use GPS data (if you allow it). On laptops, it relies on nearby Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth, and your device’s general location settings.

Chrome can also share location through browser permissions, cookies, and your Google account activity like Maps and YouTube. This is why changing your location in just one place, such as in Chrome settings, might not fully change what Google sees.

A VPN changes your IP address at the source, which is why it’s usually the most reliable option. It also encrypts your traffic, which helps reduce tracking and makes it harder for third parties to monitor what you do online.

Conclusion

Changing your location on Google Chrome can help you evade targeted ads, access geo-restricted content, and even save money. Moreover, you can significantly increase your anonymity, privacy, and security.

While it is possible to change and also add custom locations to Google Chrome manually, this method doesn’t come with the benefits you can take advantage of if you use a VPN. With a VPN, you can easily connect to servers in different countries and spoof your current location. Moreover, you can change locations very fast, which becomes cumbersome when doing it manually.

NordVPN is my top recommended VPN provider to change your Chrome location because it offers 9,500+ servers in 149 countries. Also, the interface is very clean and easy to use, which makes changing your location quick and easy. To top it off, NordVPN is one of the fastest and safest VPNs on the market, ensuring an enjoyable and safe online experience.

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