Tech Desk 
Nov 25, 2025
Chrome for Android is quietly testing a new location-sharing feature designed to give users more granular control over how websites access their location.
The update introduces an “approximate location” option that limits what sites can see while still allowing Chrome to retain precise location access at the app level.
To date, Android users can use system-level settings to toggle whether applications have access to precise or approximate location. However, until now, Chrome for Android hasn't carried that level of granularity down to websites.
With the new feature, users can limit sites to a rough area, about a three-square-kilometre radius, while still allowing precision for services that really require it, such as navigation or ride-hailing platforms.
This toggle appeared in Chrome version 142.0.7444.171; however, not everyone sees it by default. It seems an A/B test of sorts is ongoing before a wider rollout. For early adopters eager to give it a shot, the feature has to be manually enabled through chrome://flags.
Through this feature, Google is addressing privacy concerns, without sacrificing usability, by keeping precise location permissions at the app level while allowing approximate location for individual websites. Websites that only need general location information won't automatically get access to GPS-level accuracy.
Moreover, Google has not yet confirmed when the feature will be available for all users, but the fact that it's in testing means it could go live any moment. This feature is expected to give users more control over the personal data shared with online services without compromising essential site functionality.
