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Enabling Location for GPS Positioning

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You need to approve the location permission manually if you rejected the initial request. Purple are unable to automatically turn the permission back on. 

Give Maps location permission on macOS

On macOS, you may need to turn on Location Services for your browser before you can grant Maps permission in your browser. To do this:

  1. Open System Preferences and then Security & Privacy Preferences and then Privacy and then Location Services.
  2. To allow for changes, at the bottom left, click the lock.
  3. Next to "Enable Location Services," check the box.
  4. Next to your browser, check the box.
  5. Give Maps location permission in your browser:

Give Maps location permission in your web browser

Chrome:

  1. On your computer, open Chrome and go to Google Maps.
  2. At the bottom right, click My location My location.
    • If you're asked to share your location, choose Allow.
    • If the blue dot appears and shows your location, then Maps already has location permission in your browser.
    • If there’s a message that says "Google Maps does not have permission to use your location," continue to the next steps.
  3. In the search bar, click My location My location.
  4. Check Always allow http://www.google.com to access your location.
  5. Refresh your browser.

Firefox:

  1. On your computer, open Firefox and go to Google Maps.
  2. At the bottom right, click My location My location.
    • When asked to share your location, choose Allow or Allow location access.
    • You might find "Show your location" instead.
    • If the blue dot appears and shows your location, then Maps already has location permission in your browser. 
    • If there’s a message that says "Google Maps does not have permission to use your location," continue to the next steps.
  3. In the search bar, click My location My location.
  4. Click Blocked temporarily Close.
  5. Refresh your browser.

Safari:

Important: To use Safari, you must turn on Location Services in Safari.
  1. On your computer, open Safari and go to Google Maps.
  2. At the bottom right, click My location My location.
    • You should be asked to share your location. Choose Allow.
    • If the blue dot appears and shows your location, then Maps already has location permission in your browser.
    • If there’s a message that says "Google Maps does not have permission to use your location," continue to the next steps.
  3. In the search bar, click My location My location.
  4. Check Always allow http://www.google.com to access your location.
  5. Refresh your browser.

Microsoft Edge:

  1. On your computer, open Microsoft Edge and go to Google Maps.
  2. At the bottom right, click My location My location.
    • If you’re asked to share your location, choose Allow.
    • If the blue dot appears and shows your location, then Maps already has location permission in your browser. 
    • If there’s a message that says "Google Maps does not have permission to use your location," continue to the next steps.
  3. To the left of the web address, click Lock Lock.
  4. Click Permissions for this site.
  5. To the right of "Location," choose Allow.
  6. Reload the Google Maps page and click My location My location.

Give Maps location permission in your mobile browser

Android

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, go to the Settings app Settings.
  2. Under "Personal," tap Location. (Depending on your device, this may be found elsewhere.)
  3. Turn on Location.
  4. Open Google Maps in your mobile browser and reload the page.
  5. Tap My location My location.

If there isn’t an error after you open Google Maps and there’s a message about your device’s location, tap Allow.

If the above doesn't work, in Chrome:

  1. Tap More in the top right  More.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Under “Advanced,” tap Site settings.
  4. Tap Location and turn on Location.
    • If you find "Location access is turned off for this device," tap the blue words and then on the next screen, turn on location access.
    • If you find "blocked" under "Location," tap Blocked and then any Google Sites that you find and then Clear & reset.
  5. Open Google Maps in your mobile browser and reload the page.

iOS

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Privacy & Security and then Location Services and then Safari Websites.
  3. Under "Allow Location Access," tap While Using the App.

If the above doesn't work, for Safari:

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Generaland thenReset.
  3. Tap Reset Location & Privacy.
  4. If asked, enter your passcode.
  5. Tap Reset Settings.
  6. Open Safari.
  7. Go to Google Maps.
  8. To give Safari access to your location, tap Allow or OK.
  9. To give Google Maps access to your location, tap OK.

More ways to improve location accuracy

Connecting to a provided WiFi network can help to improve location accuracy. Turning on WiFi improves location accuracy as your device detects nearby WiFi base stations and pinpoints your location based on that. 

If you still get an error such as "Your location cannot be determined" or your location remains wrong, here are some steps you can take:
  • Reload your browser.
  • Check to make sure you have a strong internet connection.
  • Double-check your browser’s permission settings using the instructions above.
  • Restart your device.
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