How to Calibrate the Compass on Google Maps on PC or Mac

This How.com.vn teaches you how to change your browser and computer settings in order to get accurate and personalized location information in Google Maps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Enabling Google Location History

You can use any desktop internet browser, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Opera.
Go to your Google account page. Type myaccount.google.com into the browser's address bar, and hit ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return on your keyboard.
3
Sign into your personal Google account. This will allow you to change your account preferences and settings.
- Click the blue Sign in button on the top-right.
- Enter your email address or phone number.
- Click NEXT.
- Enter your account password.
- Click NEXT to sign in.
This option is written in blue letters in the middle box on the My Account page. It will open your activity tools.
5
Click GO TO ACTIVITY CONTROLS under "Activity controls." This is the first option at the top of the "Manage your Google activity" list.
- Alternatively, you can type or paste https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols into your browser's address bar, and directly open this page.
6
Click and slide the Location History switch to
. When this option is enabled, all the locations you visit and your map searches are saved to your account.
- This information helps you get accurate and personalized search results in Google Maps.
- Your location history is saved privately. Public third-parties can't access this information.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Enabling Chrome's Location Access

Find and click the
icon on your Start menu or in your Applications folder to open your browser.
This button is located next to your browser's address bar in the upper-right corner. It will open a drop-down menu.
This will open your browser settings on a new page.
This option is at the bottom of the Settings page. It will expand your advanced setting options.
You can find this option towards the bottom of the Privacy and security section.
This is the second option from the top on the Content settings list.
7
Click and slide the Ask before accessing switch to
. It's at the top of the Location page. When this option is enabled, you can share your current location information with websites, such as Google Maps.
- When a website tries to access your location data for the first time, you'll be prompted in a pop-up window to confirm and give the website access.
8
Make sure Google Maps is not included in the "Block" list. Here, you'll find a list of all the websites you've denied location access. Check the list to confirm Google Maps is not blocked in your browser.
- If Maps is blocked, click the
  icon next to it. This will remove it from the Blocked list.
Go to Google Maps in your browser. Type maps.google.com into the address bar, and hit ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return to open it.
10
Click the Location icon on the bottom-right. This button looks like a gray crosshair icon next to the "+" and "-" buttons in the lower-right corner of the map. It will determine your current location.
- You'll be prompted to confirm location access to Maps in a pop-up window at the top.
11
Click Allow in the pop-up window. This will share your location information with Maps, and determine your current address on the map.
- The crosshair icon will turn blue when your location data is available.
- You can see your exact location marked with a blue dot on the map.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Enabling Location Services on Mac

1
Open your Mac's System Preferences menu. The System Preferences menu allows you to customize your computer's settings.
- Click the Apple menu icon on the top-left corner.
- Click System Preferences on the menu.
This option looks like a house icon at the top of the System Preferences window.
You can find it next to the Firewall button at the top.
4
Click the lock icon on the bottom-left. You'll have to open the lock here in order to make changes to your current settings.
- You'll be asked to enter your computer's user password to unlock the lock.
5
Confirm your user account password. This will unlock the lock icon, and allow you to change your settings.
- Enter your password in the confirmation pop-up.
- Click Unlock.
6
Click and check the box next to Enable Location Services. This will allow apps and services on your computer to request your location information, and determine your current address.
- When an app or service has access to your location data, you'll see a location arrow icon on your menu bar in the upper-right corner.
7
Make sure the box next to Safari is checked on the apps list. This way, Safari can access your location information and determine your address on Google Maps.
- If you're using a different browser, you may or may not see it here. Some internet browsers like Chrome and Firefox are not included on the list here.
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