Chrome for Android Adds Approximate Location Sharing

Chrome for Android is rolling out a new feature that lets users share approximate location with websites instead of always granting precise coordinates. This brings the browser in line with other Android apps that already offer this privacy-focused option.

The update gives you more control over your location data. Google explains that many online services don’t need your exact whereabouts. For instance, checking local weather or news only requires a general sense of your neighborhood.

In the browser’s permission prompt, users will now see two distinct choices: Precise (Exact location) and Approximate (Neighborhood) , displayed above the standard allow or block buttons. You can still opt for precise location when necessary, such as when placing a delivery order or finding the nearest ATM to your office.

This feature is launching first on Chrome for Android and will expand to the desktop browser over the coming months. Google is also planning to release new APIs for web developers that will let them request approximate location or specify if they need precise location. Developers are encouraged to review their location needs and only ask for precise location when it’s required for the site functionality.

This update follows Android 17 adding a number of location privacy updates. Apps benefit from a new one-time location button, while the system indicator in Quick Settings gets a small redesign. The system permissions prompt has also been updated. Finally, there’s a new approximate location algorithm that improves privacy in areas with lower population density.