Why Fake Your GPS Location on a PC?
Unlike mobile phones, PCs don't have a hardware GPS chip — yet browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox still report a "location" to websites using the HTML5 Geolocation API. This location is derived from your Wi-Fi signal and IP address, which can be accurate to within a few hundred metres.
Reasons people fake their GPS location on a PC:
- Accessing region-restricted content — view local Google search results from another country
- Web developer testing — simulate users from different cities without changing your IP
- Privacy protection — prevent websites from pinpointing your home or office
- Dating & social apps — appear in a different city on platforms that use browser geolocation
- SEO research — check SERPs as if you were in a target market
What You Need
- Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox (desktop)
- Location Guard — a free, open-source browser extension (install it here)
- 2 minutes of your time
No VPN, no root access, no paid software required.
Step 1 — Install Location Guard
- Open your browser and visit the Installation Guide on this site.
- Download the correct offline package for your browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to load the unpacked extension.
Once installed, you'll see a small shield icon in your browser toolbar.
Step 2 — Set Your Fake Location
- Click the shield icon in the toolbar to open Location Guard.
- Click "Options" (or right-click the icon → Options).
- Under Default Level, select "Fixed Location".
- On the map that appears, click anywhere to pin your fake location — or type a city name in the search box.
- Click Save.
Tip: If you want to place your pin precisely, you can also enter latitude and longitude coordinates directly. For example, New York City is 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W.
Step 3 — Allow the Site to Read Your Location
This step surprises many new users. The spoofing only activates after a website requests your location and you grant permission.
- Visit a site that requests your location (e.g., maps.google.com or whatismylocation.com).
- When the browser prompt appears asking "Allow [site] to know your location?", click Allow.
- The website will now receive your fake GPS coordinates instead of your real ones.
Step 4 — Verify It's Working
Open a new tab and search "what is my location" on Google. The location shown in the knowledge panel should match where you set your fake pin.
You can also use browserleaks.com/geo to see the exact latitude and longitude your browser is reporting.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Site still shows real location | Make sure you clicked "Allow" when the browser asked for location permission (don't click "Block") |
| Location hasn't updated | Reload the page after enabling Location Guard |
| Google Maps still finds me | Clear site data for maps.google.com and reload |
| IP location still visible | Location Guard changes GPS only — use a VPN to change your IP address |
Does This Work on All PC Browsers?
| Browser | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | ✅ Yes | Full support |
| Microsoft Edge | ✅ Yes | Chromium-based, identical behavior |
| Mozilla Firefox | ✅ Yes | Requires the Firefox version of the extension |
| Safari (Mac) | ❌ No | Safari uses macOS location services, not browser Geolocation API |
| Brave | ✅ Yes | Use the Chrome version |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does faking my GPS on PC change my IP address? No. Location Guard only spoofs the browser Geolocation API. Your IP address stays the same. To change your apparent IP location, combine Location Guard with a VPN.
Is it legal to fake your location? In most countries, spoofing your browser geolocation for personal use (privacy, testing, research) is perfectly legal. Always check local regulations and the terms of service of any platform you use.
Will it work for Netflix or streaming? Streaming platforms check both GPS and IP address. Location Guard changes only the GPS layer. You'll also need a VPN pointed to the right region for streaming to work reliably.
Ready to try it? Install Location Guard for free — no account required, no subscription, 100% open-source.