Change Default Location on MacBook Pro

Erie Coast Mom wrote:

My MacBook Pro is run OS Monterey. Every time I do something location-based, it defaults to a community approximately 10 miles away. I've researched several options in System Preferences, but I don't see how to permanently change this issue to my proper zip code/city. Thank you!

old issue, new issue, what changed?

this might depend on your service provider...

type of Internet service you have...

Available wifi in the area to help triangulate your location...

cell tower numbers and availability...

I will say it is not a perfect science.

Do you have Find My activated on all your devices? That may help

Use the Find My app to locate a missing device or item - Apple ...

reference:

Allow apps to detect the location of your Mac - Apple Support

Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

None of the methods described here and elsewhere enable changing a location. I was comfortable with my ISP location being displayed as my location. I restrict locations as far as possible as a matter of course.

I upgraded to Monterey a few days ago. I noticed the default location had changed to SE1‡‡. And I was being asked to allow this address(?) in order to process with Apple ID two factor authentication. I called this off and attempted to find the reason. Apart from the usual, and ineffective, stream of suggestions there were a number that suggested it should be ignored and allowed.

This I did and I continued without a hitch.

However, in the absence of an acceptable answer from Apple tech and my curiosity I chased down the code. For interest the "cross of Lorraine" symbol ( ‡) is found by keying "Shift+Option+ 7".

Hey presto... the designated location is an Apple repair shop in an inner borough of London. Also the associated map is listing a number of similar Apple outlets in central London. None of which I have ever contacted from my home, some 100+ miles away.

And now in standard searches, on various browsers, this Apple generated location is flagged as my location on all my devices!

So now I know the source of the changed location I will ignore it, as before.

Sadly I expect this will be another incongruous item that Apple will not fix? ....or Explain.

This is not new. When there is a lack of necessary data points, the service will select the nearest it can find.

For whatever reason, your precise location is not a top priority location.