Where Facebook Stores Your Location and How to Update It

Facebook stores your location in two separate places: your profile information (the city or region you list publicly) and your device's location services (which Facebook uses for features like check-ins and location-based ads). To change what appears on your profile, you edit your "About" section. To stop Facebook from tracking your physical location in real time, you adjust permissions in your phone's settings or Facebook's app settings.

The method depends on what you want to change. If you want to update the city listed on your profile so friends see a different location, that takes 30 seconds in the app. If you want to prevent Facebook from using your phone's GPS to show where you are right now, that requires a separate step in your device settings or the Facebook app itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile location (the city shown on your About page) is edited separately from your device location permissions.
  • To change your profile city, open Facebook, go to your profile, tap "Edit profile," find the location field, and save the change.
  • To stop Facebook from accessing your phone's location in real time, turn off location permissions in your phone's settings or in the Facebook app's settings menu.
  • Location data affects which ads you see and whether Facebook can tag you in check-ins, so changing it may alter your experience on the platform.

Changing Your Profile Location on Facebook

Open the Facebook app or go to facebook.com in your browser. Tap or click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Profile." On your profile page, look for the "Edit profile" button (on mobile, it's usually near your cover photo; on desktop, it's on the left side).

Scroll down until you see the "Location" field. Tap or click on it and type the city or region you want to display. Facebook will show you suggestions as you type. Select the one you want. Tap "Save" or press Enter. The change takes effect when ready, and anyone who views your profile will see the new location.

If you do not see a location field on your profile, it may be because you have not filled it in yet. In that case, tap "Edit profile," scroll to find "Add a city" or a similar prompt, and enter your location there.

Stopping Facebook From Tracking Your Real-Time Location

Facebook can request access to your phone's GPS to know where you are at any moment. This is separate from your profile location. To turn this off on an iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down to "Facebook," tap it, and look for "Location." Change it from "Always" or "While Using" to "Never." On Android, go to Settings, tap "Apps," find Facebook, tap "Permissions," select "Location," and choose "Don't allow."

You can also change this directly in the Facebook app. Open Facebook, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings & privacy," tap "Settings," then tap "Apps and websites." Look for location-related permissions and turn them off. This prevents Facebook from using your GPS for check-ins, location-based ads, and real-time location sharing.

What Changes When You Update Your Location

Changing your profile location does not move your account or change your password. It only changes what city or region is visible to other users on your profile. Your friends list, messages, and posts remain the same.

Turning off location permissions affects ads you see (Facebook will show you fewer location-targeted ads) and prevents you from using check-in features. It also stops Facebook from knowing your approximate location for other purposes like suggesting local events or groups. Some features that rely on location, like location-based recommendations, will not work as well.

Changing Location on Facebook Desktop vs. Mobile

On desktop (facebook.com), click your profile picture in the top right, click "Profile," then click "Edit profile." Find the location field and update it directly. The process is the same whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

On mobile, the steps are nearly identical, but the layout is slightly different. Open the Facebook app, tap your profile picture at the bottom, tap "Profile," tap "Edit profile," and scroll to find the location field. Both methods save your changes when ready.

If Your Location Is Stuck or Will Not Change

If you update your location but it does not save, try logging out and back in. Close the Facebook app completely (not just minimize it), wait a few seconds, and reopen it. If you are on desktop, try a different browser or clear your browser cache.

If the location field is missing entirely, Facebook may have restricted it for your account type or region. Try accessing Facebook from a desktop browser instead of the app. If it still does not appear, your account may have a restriction you can contact Facebook Support about, though response times are often slow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my location on Facebook affect my account security?

No. Changing your profile location is purely cosmetic and does not affect your password, login information, or account security. It only changes what other users see on your profile.

Can I hide my location completely instead of changing it?

Yes. Instead of entering a city, leave the location field blank. You can also turn off location permissions in your phone's settings so Facebook cannot access your GPS at all. Both methods prevent your location from being shared.

Will my friends be notified if I change my location?

No. Facebook does not send a notification when you change your profile location. Your friends will only see the new location if they visit your profile after the change.

Does turning off location permissions stop Facebook from showing me location-based ads?

Mostly, yes. Turning off location permissions in your phone's settings prevents Facebook from using your GPS. However, Facebook may still use other data (like your IP address or past behavior) to estimate your general area for ads. To reduce this further, adjust your ad preferences in Facebook Settings.

Can I set different locations for different people to see?

No. Facebook does not allow you to show different locations to different groups of friends. Your profile location is the same for everyone who can see it. If you want some people to see a location and others not to, you would need to adjust your overall privacy settings or use a different platform.