Location Services allows applications and websites to gather and use information based on the current location of your computer. You have to give your permission before an app or website can use your location data. Please see how to start an application automatically on Mac, and how to prevent VLC player from reverting to the native video size on Mac.
Your approximate location is determined using information from local Wi-Fi networks and is collected by Location Services in a manner that doesn’t personally identify you. If you allow third-party applications or websites to use your current location, you are subject to their terms and privacy policy and practices.
You should review the application’s or website’s terms, privacy policy, and practices to understand how they use your location and other information.
Information collected by Apple is treated in accordance with Apple’s Privacy Policy. Kindly refer to some other guides I have written on how to enable or disable automatic software updates on Mac, and how to take a screenshot on a mac device,
Location services uses GPS, Bluetooth, and crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower locations to determine your approximate location.
Note: Disabling the Location Services on a macOS, no Mac apps or services will be able to use your current location.
How to allow apps and services to determine your location
– Go to the Apple menu and choose “System Preferences” or
– From the LaunchPad, click on Settings & Privacy
– Choose “Security & Privacy”
– Go to the “Privacy” tab
– Click the unlock button in the lower-left corner to be able to make changes
You will need to log in with an administrator account (password) in order to be able to allow apps and services to determine your location
As you can see, LOcation Services is already enabled. I just need to allow it for apps and services (Google Chrome) to determine your location
Check Google Chrome in order to permit access to your location as shown below.
Please remember to click the lock again to prevent further changes.
Note: According to Apple, enabling location services won’t personally identify you or your location. The Macintosh operating system only uses information from your local WiFi networks to help determine your approximate location.
How to Disable Location Services on macOS
To disable all geographic location-based functionality on a macOS, please follow the steps below.
– Go to the Apple menu and choose “System Preferences” or
– From the LaunchPad, click on Settings & Privacy
– Choose “Security & Privacy”
– Go to the “Privacy” tab
– Select “Location Services” from the left-side menu
– Click the unlock button in the lower-left corner to be able to make changes
You will be required t log in with Administrative rights. Enter your password and click on unlock.
Check the box next to “Enable Location Services” and shown below and confirm that you want to “turn off” Location Services.
I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.
