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Google Maps is known for its accuracy in location services. With Google Maps, you can get real-time location wherever you go. However, if you haven't used or updated it for a while, Google Maps might show wrong locations.
This blog will address the common question, "Why is my location wrong on Google Maps?" and provide detailed steps on how to fix Google Maps showing the wrong location on your mobile phone and PC.
Google Maps is a complex software that relies on a large map database. However, the map data might be outdated or have errors, leading to inaccurate location information. Additionally, there are other reasons why Google Maps might show the wrong location, such as:
After understanding some reasons why Google Maps show the wrong location, we can address these issues.
Here are some effective methods and detailed guides to help fix the problem of Google Maps showing the wrong location on a mobile phone.
Category | Methods | Best For |
Settings Adjustments | Enabling precise location | |
Calibration | Accurate direction | |
App Management | Resolving app issues | |
Device Management | Refreshing device, offline use | |
Location services are most often disabled on mobile devices, so Google Maps displays the wrong location. To enable location services, swipe down the notification panel and click on the Location icon or follow these steps:
Open your Android device Settings app.
Search for Location and Tap on it.
Toggle the switch next to Google Maps to the On position.
If you are prompted, tap Allow to allow Google Maps to access your location.
Once location services are enabled, refresh the application. Google Maps will probably show your correct location.
To enable location services on an iPhone:
Navigate to iPhone’s Settings and select Privacy & Security.
Now click on Location Services, make sure that the Location Services toggle is turned on.
Scroll down to find the Google Maps app to enable location services.
Tap the app and select Always: The app will be able to access your location even when it is closed or not in use.
To improve the accuracy of your location on your smartphone, you can enable high accuracy mode. This mode uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and sensors to get the most accurate location.
Head to the Android device Settings app.
Tap on Location.
Now select Google Location Accuracy.
Turn on Improve Location Accuracy option.
Head to the iPhone’s Settings app.
Tap on Privacy and select Location Services.
Scroll down, tap on Google Maps, select Always and turn on Precise Location option.
Mock locations are fake locations that certain apps can create. If you have enabled mock locations, it will likely cause your location to become wrong or inaccurate. To turn off mock locations, follow these steps.
Open the Settings app and tap on "Developer options."
Then, scroll down and tap on "Select mock location app."
Choose "Select none" to turn off mock locations.
Often, all you need to do is perform a simple troubleshooting step in order to see your precise location on Google Maps. Connect to a WiFi connection if you want Maps to update data, especially when your mobile data connection is unstable. Swipe down the notification panel and click on the Wi-Fi icon to enable it.
Power saving mode conserves battery and reduces application activity by turning off certain features, including updates for navigations. To ensure the Google Maps Location doesn't show incorrect information, turn off any Battery Saver mode currently active.
The name of the power-saving feature varies from Android brand to brand, depending on the manufacturer. The simplest way to navigate and turn off the power-saving feature is through the drop-down panel.
Swipe down from the top of the screen.
Check the shortcut option. You can see Power saving mode.
Go to Settings and click on Battery.
Tap to turn off the slider.
If your compass is not calibrated, it may be causing your location to be inaccurate. Now follow the steps to calibrate compass on your Android phone:
Open the Google Maps app and tap on the compass icon.
Make sure it is set to "automatic" calibration.
Hold your phone in your hand and rotate it in a circle until the compass shows the correct direction.
Tap Done to save your calibration.
Open Google Maps on your iPhone.
Click on the blue dot indicating your location and “Calibrate with Live View” via Maps AR.
Keep up with the on-screen instructions.
If you are still having problems, it is recommended that you clear the Google Maps cache because excessive data stored in the cache memory can prevent live location updates.
Here’s how to clear the cache of Maps on an Android device
Go to your Android phone's Settings app.
Tap on Apps, select Google Maps, then scroll down to click on "Storage".
Among the options is one for "Clear data" and another for "Clear cache."
Click on “Clear cache.”
Open Google Maps on your iPhone.
Tap on your profile and click on Settings.
Scroll down and tap About, terms & privacy.
Tap Clear application data then confirm your action.
Google Maps is frequently updated to correct flaws and improve overall performance. Verify that you are using the most recent version of Google Maps by checking for updates in the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone).
In case the inaccuracy of location persists, it may be due to an outdated or corrupted Maps version. All you need to do is uninstall your Google Maps, and then reinstall the newest version.
Google Maps Go is a minimalistic version of the official Google Maps that is designed for low-end devices and areas with poor internet connectivity. It is less than 20MB in size and uses less data than the regular Google Maps app. The best part is “Google Maps Go” works even when you are offline. The application is available for free to download on the Google Play store.
Another simple but very effective solution to fix Google Maps' incorrect location is to restart your device. Press and hold the power button and select restart. In most cases, this simple troubleshooting step resolves the most complex issues.
Another way to improve your location accuracy is to download offline maps. Offline maps are copies of Google Maps that are stored on your device. This means that you can use them without an active internet connection.
Open the Google Maps app and tap on the profile icon in the top left corner. Tap on "Offline maps".
Tap "SELECT YOUR OWN MAP."
Zoom in and out to select the area that you want to download. Once you have selected the area, tap on "Download."
Launch the Google Maps app and tap on the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Click on "Offline maps."
Tap on the "SELECT YOUR OWN MAP" button to create a new offline map.
Zoom in and out to select the area that you want to download. Once you have selected the area, tap on "Download."
Not only on mobile phones, but also when using Google Maps on a computer, you might encounter wrong location issues. The reasons could include:
Don't worry, here is a detailed guide on how to fix Google Maps showing the wrong location on a PC:
By giving Maps location permission, you are allowing it to access your current location. This will allow Maps to provide you with more accurate information.
Head to your computer's settings.
Click on "Privacy" > "Location".
Cross-check that "Allow apps to access your location" is turned on.
Scroll down and find Google Maps.
Click on the drop-down menu and select "Allow all the time."
Open your browser's settings.
Search for "location".
Click on "Site Settings" > "Location".
Make sure that "Ask before accessing" is selected.
Scroll down and find Google Maps.
Click on the drop-down menu and select "Allow all the time".
VPN and proxy servers can sometimes interfere with Google Maps' ability to determine your location. If you are using a VPN or proxy, try turning it off to see if that fixes the problem.
Most of the time, a simple browser refresh can fix minor glitches that may be causing the location inaccuracy problem. To reload your browser, press Ctrl+R on Windows or Cmd+R on Mac.
Google Maps needs a strong internet connection to work properly. If your internet connection is weak, it may be causing Google Maps to show your wrong location. Try moving to a location with better internet reception or connecting to a different Wi-Fi network.
Your browser's cache can sometimes store outdated or corrupted data, which can cause problems with Google Maps. To clear your browser's cache, follow these steps to clear Chrome's cache:
Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the browser.
Click on "More tools" > "Clear browsing data."
Select the time range for the data you want to clear.
Make sure that "Cached images and files" is selected.
Click on "Clear data."
Restarting your computer can also fix minor software glitches that may be causing the problem in Google Maps. To restart your computer, click on the Start button and select "Restart."
While Google Maps may not always provide the tailored assistance you and your family need in certain situations, AirDroid Parental Control offers precise location data and effective parental control features. It's more reliable in providing accurate location information as well as ongoing support that is always willing to help.
It includes a dedicated location tracker, live location sharing, and location history. In addition, parents can create virtual zones for kids to ensure their safety and instantly get alerts when they enter and leave a location. It also offers support for multiple devices so that users can track their loved ones regardless of their device.
Here's a quick guide on how you can locate your family members:
1. Open AirDroid Parental Control and tap the Location button.
2. You'll see the real-time location of the target phone on the map. Or you can tap the refresh icon to update it.
3. Also, you can tap the Route History button to see location history for up to 30 days.
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The blue dot signifies your current location on the Google Maps interface. As you move, the blue dot on the map will update in real time to show your distance from your destination. The blue dot's accuracy may fluctuate based on your surroundings. The blue dot should be very accurate in areas with good GPS reception. However, in areas with poor GPS reception, you may see a light blue circle around the dot. This means that you are located somewhere within the region that is indicated as blue.
We often rely on Google Maps to get us where we need to go. Despite Maps's best efforts, the app can sometimes show an inaccurate location, leading you astray. You will surely find the steps discussed in this article helpful in getting Google Maps back on track.
To change your location on Google Maps on your computer, follow these steps:
Step 1: From Google Maps, Click on the three lines in the top left corner of the map.
Step 2: Click on "Edit the Maps" and select “Wrong Pin Location on Maps.”
Step 3: Add new location details and submit for approval.
There are a few reasons why your location may say you're somewhere else on Google Maps:
1. Your device's GPS signal may be weak.
2. You may be indoors or in an area with poor GPS reception.
3. You may be using a VPN or proxy server.
To correct your address on Google Maps, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Google Maps in your browser.
Step 2: Search for your address and click on the three dots next to your address.
Step 3: Select "Suggest an edit."
Step 4: Make appropriate modifications to your address.
Step 5: Click on "Submit".
To change the wrong location on Google My Business, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Sign into your Google My Business account.
Step 2: Click on the location that you want to edit.
Step 3: Click on the "Info" tab > Under "Location," click on "Edit."
Step 4: Make the necessary changes to your location.
Step 5: Save and Continue.
To correct your home address in Google Maps, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Google Maps in your browser.
Step 2: Search for your home address.
Step 3: Click on the three dots next to your home address.
Step 4: Select "Suggest an edit."
Step 5: Under "Address," make the necessary changes to your home address.
Step 6: Click on "Submit".
To contact Google Maps about an incorrect address, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Google Maps in your browser.
Step 2: Search for the incorrect address.
Step 3: Click on the three dots next to the incorrect address.
Step 4: Select "Report a problem."
Step 5: Under "Issue Type," select "Incorrect address."
Step 6: Under "Description," explain the problem in more detail.
Step 7: Click on "Submit."
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