Google has released a new Chrome update for Android users that improves location privacy. Now, when a website asks for your location, you can choose to share an “approximate” location instead of your exact GPS position.
This gives websites a general idea of your area, like your neighborhood, without showing your exact address. The update started rolling out in early May 2026 and is designed to reduce unnecessary sharing of personal data while keeping browsing easy.
The feature is simple to use. For example, websites for weather updates or local news usually only need your city or area, not your exact location. Chrome now gives two choices: “Precise” for apps like maps, food delivery, or ATM finders that need exact details, and “Approximate” for websites that only need a rough area.
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Google says this helps users get local services and recommendations without sharing highly detailed location data. The feature is already available on many Android phones through the Play Store update.
Google created this feature to match Android’s existing privacy system used by many apps. Earlier, Chrome mostly shared full GPS accuracy whenever a website requested location access, even if exact details were not necessary. Now, Google is also encouraging developers to ask only for approximate location when possible and explain clearly if exact access is required.
The company says developers should avoid requesting precise location unless it is very important for the website to work properly. This is part of Chrome’s larger privacy efforts, including reducing trackers and moving away from third-party cookies by late 2025.
The update comes as more people worry about websites collecting too much location information. Detailed location history can be used to create advertising profiles or track users closely.
With this new option, users can quickly allow approximate location sharing for normal browsing. If a website or app later needs exact details, users can switch to precise access anytime in Chrome’s site settings. Experts say important services like ride-sharing and navigation apps will still work normally when users allow precise location.
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Early user feedback has been positive. Some users said weather websites now show local forecasts without needing exact location access, while navigation apps still work with full accuracy when needed. Google says this update follows its “privacy by design” approach, where features are built to limit unnecessary data collection from the start.
Users can update Chrome through the Play Store by checking the “About Chrome” section in settings. The feature works on Android 10 and newer devices, which covers most active Android phones. Google may bring similar privacy controls to desktop Chrome versions in the coming months.