Turn off location sharing in Instagram's web settings
Instagram on PC does not store or share your location the way the mobile app does. The web version has no built-in location feature — it cannot access your device's GPS or location services. However, your browser can still share your location with Instagram if you have granted permission in the past, and Instagram's web settings let you revoke that access.
To stop location sharing on Instagram PC, you need to change two things: your browser's permission settings and Instagram's own settings. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, but the principle is the same — you are telling your browser to stop sending location data to Instagram's website.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram's web version does not have a location feature like the mobile app, but your browser can still share your location if you previously allowed it.
- You can revoke location permission in your browser settings by finding Instagram in the list of websites with location access and removing it.
- In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Location and remove instagram.com from the allowed list.
- In Firefox, go to Preferences > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Location and remove Instagram from the allowed sites.
- Revoking browser permission stops location sharing when ready — you do not need to log out or clear your cache.
Remove location permission in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left sidebar. Choose Site settings, then scroll down and click Location.
You will see two sections: Allow and Block. Look for instagram.com in the Allow section. Click the three dots next to it and select Remove. Instagram will no longer be able to access your location through Chrome. If you see instagram.com in the Block section, it is already prevented from accessing your location and you do not need to change anything.
Remove location permission in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right. Select Settings and go to the Privacy & Security tab on the left. Scroll down to the Permissions section and click Settings next to Location.
A window will open showing websites with location permission. Find instagram.com in the list, click it to highlight it, and click Remove Website. The site will be removed from your allowed list. Close the window and the change takes effect when ready.
Remove location permission in Microsoft Edge
Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of Edge and select Settings. Go to Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Under Clear browsing data, scroll down to Site permissions and click Location.
You will see allowed and blocked sites. Find instagram.com in the allowed list, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. Edge will stop sharing your location with Instagram. If you do not see Instagram in either list, your browser has never sent location data to it.
Remove location permission in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top. Select Preferences and go to the Websites tab. Click Location in the left sidebar to see which sites have location permission.
Find instagram.com in the list and click it. In the dropdown menu next to it, change the setting from Allow to Deny. Close Preferences and the change is saved. Safari will no longer send your location to Instagram.
What happens after you remove location permission
Once you remove Instagram from your browser's location permission list, the site cannot request your location anymore. If you visit Instagram on that browser and a feature tries to use location data, you will see a prompt asking for permission again. You can click Block or Don't Allow to refuse it.
Removing permission does not affect your Instagram account on mobile devices or other browsers. If you use Instagram on your phone, you will need to turn off location there separately through your phone's settings or the Instagram app itself. Each browser and device manages location permissions independently.
Why Instagram might ask for your location on PC
Instagram's web version does not use location for posts or stories the way the mobile app does. However, Instagram may request location access for other reasons: to show location-based ads, to detect your general region for content recommendations, or to verify your account during login from a new device.
Even if you grant location permission once, you can always revoke it through your browser settings without affecting your ability to use Instagram. Denying location access does not lock you out of your account or limit your ability to post, message, or browse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off location on PC affect my Instagram account on my phone?
No. Each device and browser manages location permissions separately. Changing settings on your PC browser does not change anything on your phone. If you want to turn off location on your phone, you need to adjust settings in the Instagram app or your phone's location services.
Will Instagram know I turned off location?
Instagram will not receive a notification that you removed location permission. The site straightforward will not be able to access your location anymore. If a feature tries to use location and you have denied permission, Instagram will see that the request was blocked by your browser.
Can I turn location back on if I change my mind?
Yes. Go back to your browser's location settings, find instagram.com in the blocked list, and change it to allow. The next time you visit Instagram, you can grant permission when prompted. You can toggle this on and off as many times as you want.
What if I do not see Instagram in my browser's location settings?
If Instagram does not appear in either the allowed or blocked list, your browser has never shared your location with it. You do not need to take any action. Location sharing is already off by default for sites you have never given permission to.
Does clearing my browser cache remove location permissions?
No. Clearing your cache, cookies, and browsing history does not change your location permissions. Those settings are stored separately. You must remove Instagram from the location permission list manually through your browser's settings.