diff --git a/src/lib/geolocation.ts b/src/lib/geolocation.ts
index fd7382c..9ec71d2 100644
--- a/src/lib/geolocation.ts
+++ b/src/lib/geolocation.ts
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ async function getNativePosition(native: CapGeolocationPlugin): Promise<GeoCoord
     // it defensively and fall back to navigator.geolocation only if it fails.
     try {
       const pos = await safeCall(() =>
-        native.getCurrentPosition({ enableHighAccuracy: false, timeout: 15000, maximumAge: 60000 }),
+        native.getCurrentPosition({ enableHighAccuracy: false, timeout: 8000, maximumAge: 60000 }),
       );
       const lat = pos?.coords?.latitude;
       const lng = pos?.coords?.longitude;
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ function getWebPosition(): Promise<GeoCoords> {
       settled = true;
       cleanup();
       reject(new GeolocationError('timeout', 'Location request timed out.'));
-    }, 25000);
+    }, 15000);
 
     // 1) watchPosition — first update wins (fast network fix).
     try {
diff --git a/src/pages/MapPage.tsx b/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
index 81c3877..45c9078 100644
--- a/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
@@ -804,13 +804,29 @@ export default function MapPage() {
   useEffect(() => {
     if (isNativeGeolocation()) return;
     let cancelled = false;
-    getCurrentPosition()
-      .then(({ lat, lng }) => {
-        if (!cancelled) setUserLocation({ lat, lon: lng });
-      })
-      .catch(() => {
-        // Silent — user hasn't asked to be located yet.
-      });
+
+    const warm = () =>
+      getCurrentPosition()
+        .then(({ lat, lng }) => {
+          if (!cancelled) setUserLocation({ lat, lon: lng });
+        })
+        .catch(() => {
+          // Silent — user hasn't asked to be located yet.
+        });
+
+    // Only warm up when permission is ALREADY granted — otherwise this fires the
+    // browser's "Allow location?" prompt the moment someone opens /map.
+    if (typeof navigator !== 'undefined' && navigator.permissions?.query) {
+      navigator.permissions
+        .query({ name: 'geolocation' as PermissionName })
+        .then((status) => {
+          if (!cancelled && status.state === 'granted') warm();
+        })
+        .catch(() => {
+          /* permissions API unavailable — don't prompt */
+        });
+    }
+
     return () => {
       cancelled = true;
     };
@@ -1432,6 +1448,29 @@ export default function MapPage() {
                 compact
               />
 
+              {/* Near Me — desktop parity (mobile has the floating control) */}
+              <Button
+                variant="outline"
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={() => {
+                  if (nearMeError === 'denied' && !isNativeGeolocation()) {
+                    setShowLocationHelp(true);
+                    return;
+                  }
+                  handleNearMe();
+                }}
+                disabled={nearMeLoading}
+                title={nearMeError === 'denied' ? 'Enable location access' : 'Find my location'}
+                className="hidden md:inline-flex h-8 gap-1.5 border-white/20 flex-shrink-0 touch-manipulation"
+              >
+                {nearMeError === 'denied' ? (
+                  <LocateOff className="h-4 w-4 text-red-400" />
+                ) : (
+                  <LocateFixed className={cn('h-4 w-4', userLocation ? 'text-[#ccff00]' : 'text-gray-300')} />
+                )}
+                <span className="hidden lg:inline">Near Me</span>
+              </Button>
+
               {/* Clear filters */}
               {hasActiveFilters && (
                 <Button
@@ -1723,7 +1762,15 @@ export default function MapPage() {
               >
                 {/* Near Me */}
                 <button
-                  onClick={nearMeError === 'denied' ? () => setShowLocationHelp(true) : handleNearMe}
+                  onClick={() => {
+                    // On native a denial is an OS permission the user can grant
+                    // and retry; only the web needs the browser re-enable sheet.
+                    if (nearMeError === 'denied' && !isNativeGeolocation()) {
+                      setShowLocationHelp(true);
+                      return;
+                    }
+                    handleNearMe();
+                  }}
                   disabled={nearMeLoading}
                   className={cn(
                     'h-11 w-11 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center shadow-lg border backdrop-blur transition-all touch-manipulation active:scale-90',