Web & App Activity saves your searches and activity from other Google services in your Google Account. You may get more personalized experiences, like:
- Faster searches
- More helpful apps
- Content recommendations
You can turn Web & App Activity off or delete past activity at any time.
Tip: If you got your Google Account through your employer or educational institution, in order for your organization to use this service, you might need to ask your administrator to turn on .
Turn Web & App Activity on or off
- On your Android device, open your Settings app
Google Manage your Google Account. - Tap Data & privacy.
- Under "History settings," tap Web & App Activity.
- Turn Web & App Activity on or off.
- When Web & App Activity is on:
- You can check the box next to "Include Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services."
- You can check the box next to "Include voice and audio activity."
- When you turn Web & App Activity off:
- Select Turn off, then choose to Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.
- If you choose Turn off and delete activity, follow the steps to select and confirm what activity you want to delete.
Google Tip: Some browsers and devices may have more settings that affect how this activity is saved.
Find or delete Web & App Activity on My Google Activity
You can find and delete your Web & App Activity on My Google Activity.
- Learn how to delete activity manually.
- Learn how to set up automatic deletion.
Tip: To add more security, you can require an extra verification step to view your full history on My Activity.
Delete history on your device
Your device may also save your Search history. Learn how to manage and delete on-device Search history.
Turn Web & App Activity on or off
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to the Activity controls page. You may be asked to sign in to your Google Account.
- Turn Web & App Activity on or off.
- When Web & App Activity is on:
- You can check the box next to "Include Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services."
- You can check the box next to "Include voice and audio activity."
- When you turn Web & App Activity off:
- Select Turn off, then choose to Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.
- If you choose Turn off and delete activity, follow the steps to select and confirm what activity you want to delete.
Tip: Some browsers and devices may have more settings that affect how this activity is saved.
What’s saved as Web & App Activity
Info about your searches and other activity
When Web & App Activity is on, Google saves information like:
- Searches and activities on Google products and services, like Maps and Play.
- Info associated with your activity, like your language, referrer, whether you use a browser or an app, or the type of device you use.
- Activity may also include info about your location from your device’s general area and IP address. Learn about locations.
- Ads you click, or things you buy on an advertiser’s site.
- Info on your device, like recent searches for apps or contact names.
- Assistant interactions, including if Google Assistant detects an activation you didn’t intend.
Tip: Activity could be saved even when you’re offline.
Info about your browsing and other activity on sites, apps, and devices that use Google services
When Web & App Activity is on, you can include additional activity like:
- Sites and apps that partner with Google to show ads
- Sites and apps that use Google services, including data that apps share with Google
- Your Chrome browsing history
- Android usage & diagnostics, like battery level and system errors
To let Google save this information:
- Web & App Activity must be on.
- The box next to "Include Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services" must be checked.
Your Chrome history is saved only if you’re signed in to Chrome and syncing your history. Learn about signing in to Chrome.
Note: If you use a shared device or sign in with more than one account, activity might be saved to the default account on the browser or device you use.
When Web & App Activity is on, you can include audio recordings from your interactions with Google Search, Assistant, and Maps as part of your activity. Learn about audio recordings.
To let Google save this information:
- Web & App Activity must be on.
- The box next to "Include voice and audio activity" must be checked.
How your saved activity is used
Learn more about how Google uses your saved activity and helps keep it private.
For more information about how Google treats search queries generally, review the Privacy Policy FAQ.
How Web & App Activity works when you’re signed out
Your search and ad results may be customized using search-related activity even if you're signed out. To turn off this kind of search customization, you can search and browse privately. Learn how.
Browser history
To control whether your device saves your activity:
- Go to the Activity controls page.
- Check the box next to "Include Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services."
Your browser may also save your searches and the sites you visit. Learn how to delete your history on:
Related resources
- How Google helps you delete data from your account
- Manage your Google data with My Activity
- Delete your activity
Need more help?
Try these next steps:
Protect Your Identity Online
Get step-by-step visual guides on the tools and practices that will help you protect your personal information with Google's Online Security Guidebook.
As an expert in digital privacy and online security, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the concept of Web & App Activity, a feature offered by Google. My expertise is built on extensive research and practical insights into the intricate workings of online platforms and services, making me well-versed in topics related to user data management, privacy settings, and security measures.
The article discusses the functionality of Google's Web & App Activity feature, emphasizing its role in saving user searches and activities from various Google services in the associated Google Account. This data accumulation is intended to enhance user experiences by providing faster searches, more helpful apps, and personalized content recommendations. However, the user has the autonomy to turn off Web & App Activity or delete past activity at any time.
The instructions provided in the article guide users on how to manage their Web & App Activity settings on both Android devices and iOS devices. The steps involve accessing the Settings app, navigating to Google Account settings, and adjusting the preferences under "History settings." Users are given the option to include or exclude Chrome history, voice and audio activity, and to manage the saving of activity on sites, apps, and devices using Google services.
The article also touches on the types of information saved as part of Web & App Activity. This includes searches and activities on various Google products and services, details associated with user activity, ads clicked, device information, Assistant interactions, and even audio recordings when the feature is enabled. Importantly, the article highlights that some activity may be saved even when the user is offline.
Furthermore, the piece addresses the privacy concerns users might have, assuring them that Google utilizes saved activity to enhance user experience while maintaining privacy. Users can find and delete their Web & App Activity through the My Google Activity page, where manual or automatic deletion options are available. The article provides additional tips on managing on-device search history and controlling browser history.
In conclusion, my expertise in digital privacy and online security affirms the credibility of the information provided. Users can make informed decisions about their Web & App Activity settings based on the comprehensive insights shared in the article, ensuring a balance between personalized experiences and data privacy.
