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Security Tool • Updated for 2026

Is My Location Still Visible?

Check what websites can infer about your location from your IP address and your browser/device location permissions — with VPN ON or OFF.
Purpose: verify Time: < 1 minute Best for: VPN users + privacy checks
Run the check ↓ Methodology Affiliate Disclosure

A VPN can change your IP-based location (what many websites infer from your public IP), but it usually does not control your device’s GPS / precise location. Many “location leaks” are just normal browser permissions or cached settings — not a VPN failure. This tool shows the two main location signals side-by-side so you can tell what’s happening.

Reality anchor: passing this check reduces exposure — it does not guarantee anonymity or prevent all tracking.

What this tool checks

  • IP-based location (coarse): what your public IP suggests (country/region/city best-effort).
  • Browser/device location permission (precise): whether your browser can access device location (GPS/Wi-Fi/cell methods).
  • Consistency signals: whether your browser’s location conflicts with IP-geolocation (a common “VPN confusion” moment).

What it does not check

  • Account-based location: Google/Apple/Microsoft accounts can infer location via logins and device telemetry.
  • App-level location: mobile apps may access location independently of your browser.
  • Advertising ID / fingerprinting: sites can infer location patterns without direct GPS access.

Run the location visibility check

Not run yet

Recommended: run once with VPN OFF (baseline), then again with VPN ON (same browser). If you click “Check precise location,” your browser may ask for permission — that’s expected.

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Public IP
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Used to infer coarse location (best-effort).
IP-based location (coarse)
—
This is approximate and often wrong at city-level.
Browser precise location
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Requires permission; can be GPS/Wi-Fi/cell-based.
Advisor verdict
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Explains what to do if location still looks “visible.”

Important: A VPN typically changes IP-based location, but precise browser/device location is controlled by permissions. If you allow location access, a website can still get your approximate/precise location even with a VPN.

How to read your results

IP-based location (coarse)

This is what many websites infer from your public IP. A VPN can change this by routing your traffic through a VPN server. City-level results can be inaccurate, especially if databases are stale or if the VPN exit is mapped poorly.

Browser/device location (precise)

This comes from your browser’s location APIs and can be powered by GPS, nearby Wi-Fi networks, and cell signals. A VPN doesn’t override this. If you grant permission, the site can receive location data regardless of your IP.

Reality check: even if both look “good,” tracking can still happen through logins, cookies, fingerprinting, and account telemetry.

Common false alarms (don’t panic)

  1. “It still shows my city.” IP geolocation is approximate; sometimes VPN exits map near your region or database entries are stale.
  2. “My browser location is accurate on VPN.” That usually means you allowed location permissions — not a VPN leak.
  3. “Google/Apple still knows where I am.” Accounts and device services can infer location independent of VPN.
  4. “My timezone gives me away.” Timezone and language settings can hint at location even when IP changes.

What to do if you want location less visible

If IP-based location isn’t changing
  • Reconnect and switch to a different VPN server (ideally a different region).
  • Check split tunneling (ensure your browser is routed through VPN).
  • Verify your public IP with our What is my IP address? tool.
If browser location is still precise
  • Remove location permission for the site (browser settings).
  • Set location permission to “Ask” or “Block” by default for sensitive browsing.
  • On mobile: review OS app permissions (apps can access location outside the browser).

Want the full “what a VPN can’t hide” reality? Read: Does a VPN make you anonymous? • What VPNs can’t protect you from

Recommended next steps

Limitations of this tool

  • IP geolocation is approximate and can be wrong at city/region level.
  • Precise location depends on permissions and device signals (GPS/Wi-Fi/cell), not your VPN.
  • Doesn’t cover account telemetry: logged-in services may still infer location patterns.
  • Doesn’t stop tracking: cookies/fingerprinting can still identify you even if location looks different.

FAQ

  • Does a VPN hide my exact GPS location? No. A VPN changes IP-based location, not GPS/device location permissions.
  • Why does my IP location still show my city? Some VPN exits map near your region, and IP geolocation databases can be stale or inaccurate.
  • Can websites still know where I am? Yes, through browser permissions, logins, cookies, device telemetry, and fingerprinting signals.
  • Is timezone a “location leak”? It can be a hint. If you care, align timezone/language with your browsing profile expectations.
  • What’s the best next step if I care about privacy? Treat location as one signal; pair VPN use with permission discipline and privacy-aware browsing.

Trust & disclosure

This tool is provided for educational and diagnostic purposes. Results vary by device, browser, network, and permission settings. Learn more: Methodology • Affiliate disclosure.