Location Services Always Uses Wrong Location

I have ongoing issues with my Macbook always using Washington DC as my location. I had this on my last laptop.I set up a new laptop last month running Sequoia 15.5. I did not migrate any data other than through iCloud. I have performed/checked the following instructions and, still, if I ask for directions to a location or type find *a location* near me the default start location is Washington, DC. The following are the steps I have taken to correct this. Under About this Mac the location is showing my correct location.

To change the location on a MacBook Air, you can change your network location or turn on Location Services.

Change your network location

Select the Apple menu
Open System Settings
Click Network
Open the dropdown menu to switch locations
Choose Edit Locations
Click Add
Enter the name of the new location
Click Done
Click Apply

Turn on Location Services

Select the Apple menu
Open System Settings
Click Privacy & Security
Click Location Services
Turn on Location Services

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jun 18, 2025 7:12 AM

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,422 points

Posted on Jun 18, 2025 8:09 AM

The Mac does not have GPS, so the location is determined by the WiFi network/IP Address. You will want Location Services turned on. When you add a Location in the Network Settings, it is not a geographical location, it is simply a name used for those network settings to make switching a combination of settings easier. For example, the articles below suggest naming them something like Work or Home when you want to switch the settings all at once depending on your network connection in each environment.

There are a couple of reasons the location will be wrong:

Location Services not turned on
Use of a VPN
Moved router from another location. Did you previously use the router in Washington DC?

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16 replies

dogsnack Author

Level 2

164 points

Jul 14, 2025 7:08 PM in response to John Galt

I do apologize. I had meant it was not active; I did not know it still ran when shut down. Since I threw it out I am able to search locally.

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Location Services Always Uses Wrong Location