Why Does Google Still Show My Real Location With VPN? [Fix It Now

VPN is on, Why Does Google Still Show My Real Location? Learn why this happens and follow these working 2025 privacy fixes to hide your real IP and location from Google.

VPN Is ON, But Google Still Knows Your City?

You’re connected to a VPN server in London, but Google Maps still shows you in Karachi. You search on Google, and local results still appear in your real location.

The problem? Your VPN is not fully hiding your location from Google.

This is one of the most frustrating VPN privacy failures, especially in 2025 — and it affects mobile and desktop users alike.

In this guide, Digimad explains:

Why Google still knows your location
How it bypasses your VPN
Step-by-step privacy fixes (mobile + PC)
Bonus: browser & app tweaks

Why Is Google Showing Your Real Location?

Google doesn’t rely on just your IP address to detect your location. It uses:

Technology	What It Does
IP Address	Geolocation via your network provider
GPS (Mobile)	Precise physical tracking
Wi-Fi SSID	Detects router location using known databases
Browser APIs	Like WebRTC, HTML5 Geolocation
Cookies	Stores your last real location
Google Account	Tracks signed-in location data (especially on Chrome/Android)

Even if your VPN is working, these methods can leak your real location.

How to Test If Google Is Still Seeing Your Real Location

Step-by-Step Check (Mobile + PC):

Turn on VPN → Connect to a different country
Open incognito window
Go to Google.com
Type: what is my location or open Google Maps
See if Google shows your real city or VPN location

If it still shows your real area → Location leak is happening.

FIX 1: Block Browser Location Access

1 On Chrome (Desktop):

Go to: chrome://settings/content/location
Set to “Don’t allow sites to see your location”

2 On Chrome (Android):

Settings → Site Settings → Location → Block access

FIX 2: Disable Google Location History

Google saves your old device location — even across VPNs.

Steps:

Visit Google Location History
Turn it OFF
Clear old activity at: MyActivity

FIX 3: Clear Google Cookies & Cache

Cookies can store your real location.

How to Clear:

Go to browser settings → Privacy → Clear cookies
Use tools like CCleaner or built-in browser cleaner
Use Incognito mode to test VPN location

FIX 4: Use a Privacy-Focused Browser

Google Chrome is directly connected to your Google account — it tracks everything.

Recommended Private Browsers:

Brave Browser (blocks trackers, WebRTC, location)
Firefox (fully customizable privacy settings)
Tor Browser (for advanced anonymous browsing)

FIX 5: Disable WebRTC (Browser Leak)

WebRTC can reveal your real IP and location even when VPN is ON.

Chrome Fix:

Install WebRTC Leak Prevent extension
Or use Brave (blocks WebRTC by default)

Firefox Fix:

Go to about:config
Search: media.peerconnection.enabled → Set to false

FIX 6: Disable Device-Level Location (Mobile)

On Android:

Go to: Settings → Location
Turn off “Use location”
Or restrict app-level access (Chrome, Google Maps, etc.)

On iPhone:

Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Turn off for Safari/Chrome/Google

FIX 7: Sign Out of Google Account

If you’re signed in to a Google account, Google uses:

Your previous real location
Saved home/work places
Gmail activity

Fix:

Sign out before testing
Use incognito mode
Use non-Google browser for sensitive tasks

Bonus Tip: Use VPN + Privacy Tools Together

Just a VPN isn’t enough. Combine with:

Private DNS (like NextDNS or AdGuard)
Secure browsers (Brave, Firefox)
VPN with WebRTC & DNS leak protection
Google-less ecosystem (de-Googled Android, e.g., GrapheneOS)

Best VPNs That Don’t Leak Location in 2025

VPN Name	Kill Switch	WebRTC Block	DNS Leak Protection	Speed
NordVPN	✅ Yes	✅ Extension	✅ Built-in	⚡ Fast
Surfshark	✅ Yes	✅ Extension	✅ Built-in	⚡ Fast
ProtonVPN	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (browser)	✅ Yes	⚡ Moderate
Mullvad	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Full privacy	⚡ Fast

FAQs – VPN Location Leak & Google

Q1: Why does Google Maps show my real location even with VPN?
➡️ Because of GPS, browser APIs, cookies, and Google account tracking.

Q2: Can a VPN completely hide my location?
✅ Yes — if you also disable GPS, WebRTC, browser permissions, and stay signed out of Google.

Q3: How do I know if my VPN is leaking?
➡️ Use ipleak.net and Google Maps in incognito.

Q4: Is it dangerous if Google knows my real location?
⚠️ It can compromise anonymity — especially in censorship-heavy or high-surveillance regions.

Q5: What browser hides my location best?
✅ Brave and Firefox (with proper settings). Avoid Chrome when using VPN for privacy.

🔗 Related blogs

Final Words: Google Tracks You Beyond VPN – Stop It Today

Google is smarter than your VPN — unless you fight back.

Don’t let your real IP, GPS, cookies, and browser leaks give away your privacy.

Use the steps above
Test your privacy setup
Stay off the grid — even when using Google

Why Does Google Still Show My Real Location with VPN? [Fix It Now – 2025 Guide]