how do i change location settings
Having long been puzzled by what Firefox considers to be my location, I have tried to find out how to set or change it. I followed all leads that seemed promising. the most direct lead was through the Menu (three bars in my PC-based Firefox). It does not contain the Settings option, nor any kind of 'More' option. I even used the about:config lead simply to find it is enabled. All I know is that Firefox holds a Location other than what I would want to to. But I simply cannot find a way to identify where its held; so I can change it.
Given how straight forward this need is I am puzzled on how hard it is to find out how to change it. Can someone help, other than by repeating the common instructions for using the Menu? I attach my list in case it helps.
Chosen solution
I've looked, and I don't see it saved anywhere that's easily accessible (such as the about:config preferences editor). If the problem affects a particular website, maybe they have an option to fine tune their location detection.
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Hi peterFisp, what website are you using that doesn't have an accurate location?
Most sites guess your location based on your IP address, which is assigned by your internet service provider or your local coffee shop hotspot, as the case may be. It can be altered by using a VPN. To get a sense of what public databases report about your IP address, you can try a site such as the following:
If a site asks Firefox for your precise location and you approve the request, then usually Firefox will use other information, such as nearby wi-fi hotspots, and services such as the Google Location API, to compute your location in more detail. As far as I know, this isn't stored in Firefox anywhere, it is looked up each time.
To see an example of what the permission prompt looks like, you can use the live demo on the following page, scroll down to the "Show my location" button: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Geolocation_API#Geolocation_Live_Example
An example of a geo location result is this URL:
- https://location.services.mozilla.com/v1/geolocate?key=test
Fair enough; and thank you for your input. However, for one, this displays longitude and latitude. Which is not really helpful without a translation. More importantly, I know what Firefox stores as my location. But that one is not correct and I am trying to find out how to change it to my correct location. Google maps enables me to change its record very easily.
Modified by Peter Fischer
peterFisp said
More importantly, I know what Firefox stores as my location.
Why do you think that Firefox is storing your location?
Well, for one, the earlier query input produces a result. Also, various sites appear to have knowledge of some location. So, yeah, an assumption on my part. However, since my Google queries pointed to a means of changing location in FireFox, this would appear to confirm that Firefox stores it somewhere.
It would appear then that I misunderstood how this works and there is not one spot where I can lock in my location 'visibly' and for all to share.
Chosen Solution
I've looked, and I don't see it saved anywhere that's easily accessible (such as the about:config preferences editor). If the problem affects a particular website, maybe they have an option to fine tune their location detection.
Somehow Firefox is indicating to websites and iplocation.net that I am in Toronto. I use a Vpn, and no matter what country I go through or if I turn off the VPN, iplocation.net shows the correct country in Chrome but always shows Toronto from Firefox.
I don't want to go back to chrome, but I can't make several websites show me the US version, they keep going back to Canada. Example: I type in Bloomberg.com, hit enter and I'm taken to bloomberg.com/canada.
Hi jimluciano, does your VPN capture all traffic sent from your system (at least in theory)?
Could you check your connection setting here:
- Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
- Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
- Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
- Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it
In the search box at the top of the page, type proxy and Firefox should filter to the "Settings" button, which you can click.
The default of "Use system proxy settings" should work. No? Do any of the others work better?
Hi jimluciano, assuming IP address detection sites eventually show the correct address, make sure to clear your cookies for sites that may have stored a previous detection. You can use the "Manage Data" button the Options/Preferences page to remove cookies on a site-by-site basis.
Thanks jscher,
the "system proxy..." did the trick after restarting Firefox.
I use the Manage Data a lot, even made a link for it :-)
Really appreciate the help. Spent a lot of time looking for an answer. Been using FF almost from it's beginning. I'm old school, bought my first domain when you could only get it from Network Solutions.
peterFisp said
Having long been puzzled by what Firefox considers to be my location, I have tried to find out how to set or change it. I followed all leads that ...yada...yada.... xxxxattach my list in case it helps.
I am in Québec, and as a rural FFox user, it currently tells me my geo-location is the following: Firefox on Windows 10 Melbourne, QC, Canada (estimated) IP address: 96.63.35.42
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AFAIK, there is NO Melbourne in Quebec. There IS one in Australia. My ISP connection is approx 38,000 KM from here. Yes, it's a Geostationary satellite (Jupiter 14 or whatever) and my ISP is XPLORNET. Why cannot Mozilla disregard geo-location for people using Geosync sat systems such as Xplornet, Hughes and DirectTV? The geolocation is basically useless. And please don't ask me about Pings! See my paste here! ;-) MOZILLA! Start considering rural folks with Satellite systems!
Hi aqk, is that information from a website? I don't think Firefox tries to figure out where you are located down to the city level for any purpose of its own.