Where you lead, Google will follow.
Google Maps, in particular, can track every step you (or at least your smartphone) take and archives that activity as a personal map, dubbed Timeline. The feature helps users (and the internet) remember places you go, routes to destinations, and trips you take. But while that might sound handy for when you want to take a wander down memory lane, the privacy-conscious may want to keep that monitoring in check.
In late 2023, Google said it would begin storing data from your Timeline on your phone instead of keeping it online with other account data. And if you turn on Location History, Google will now auto-delete your history after three months unless you change the setting. For the extra cautious, there are other ways to keep your whereabouts private without entirely ditching Google.
How to Stop Location Tracking in Google Maps
(Credit: PCMag/Google)
Mobile
Open Google app > profile picture > Manage your Google Account
Tap the Data & privacy tab
Scroll down to History settings > Location History
Tap Turn off
Desktop
Navigate to My Activity dashboard
Click Location History
In the drop-down menu, select Turn off and confirm in the pop-up.
How to Auto-Delete Your Location Data
(Credit: PCMag/Google)
Mobile
Open Google app > profile picture > Manage your Google Account
Tap the Data & privacy tab
Scroll down to History settings > Location History > Choose an auto-delete option
Select Don't auto-delete activity or Auto-delete activity older than and choose between 3, 18, or 36 months.
Desktop
Navigate to My Activity dashboard
Click Location History > Choose an auto-delete option
Select Don't auto-delete activity or Auto-delete activity older than and choose between 3, 18, or 36 months.
How to Remove Data From Google Maps Timeline
In addition to auto-delete, you can manually delete information at any time. In the Data & privacy tab on the Google app, tap Maps Timeline. If you have any location data saved, you can filter by date, narrowing down results to year, month, or day. When you find something, click the trash can icon to delete the entire day; or open the three-dot menu next to a specific location and choose Remove stop from the day to delete it from your history.
(Credit: PCMag/Google)
To delete all visits to a specific location—an ex's apartment, a former office space, that bar that banned you after a particularly raucous night—you'll need to switch to the Google Maps app.
Tap your profile icon > Your timeline
Tap Places > View all visited places
Tap the three-dot menu next to a location and select Remove all visits
(Credit:PCMag/Google)
Manage Location Settings on the iPhone
(Credit: PCMag/Apple)
You can do more on your iPhone to stop Google from tracking your location.
Open Settings > Google Maps > Location
Choose While Using the App so Google will only ping your location when you have the Google Maps app open. (Other options include While Using the App or Widgets, Ask Next Time Or When I Share, or Never.)
You can also shut off location services completely, though this may cause other services on your phone to stop working.
Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
Toggle the switch to off
Manage Location Settings on Android Devices
(Credit: PCMag/Google)
Android users can take control of their device's location services, but exact instructions differ by manufacturer. On a Samsung device, for instance, you simply open Settings > Location to view various options.
You can turn location services off completely by tapping the switch at the top of the screen, though, just like iOS, this will disrupt many of your phone's platforms. Location services can also be easily disabled by pulling down the notification shade and tapping the Location icon.
Recommended by Our Editors
How to Hide Your IP Address
23 Google Maps Tricks You Need to Try
How to Completely Disappear From the Internet
Other, less invasive options include clicking Location services, then turning off settings for Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning. You can also click Google Location Accuracy and disable Improve Location Accuracy. Turning this off will remove all other manner of tracking location, other than GPS, but make location tracking less accurate overall.
Starting with Android 11, you can change the permissions you grant individual apps. Tap App permissions and select Google Maps, Google, or any other Google service. You can change the app permissions to Allow only while using the app and cut down on the amount of data Google collects when the app isn't in use.
For those running at least Android 12, you have the added option to disable Use precise location, which only lets apps see your approximate location.
Browse Privately Everywhere
(Credit: PCMag/Google)
Don't want to fiddle with your location settings, but still want Google to stop watching you for a moment? Go incognito. In the Google Maps app, tap your profile icon and select Turn on Incognito mode. This temporarily stops Maps from saving your search and location history and shared location, thereby preventing the app from personalizing maps based on your activity. Keep in mind, though, that it does not prevent other Google services from tracking you online. When done, tap the Incognito mode icon and select Turn off Incognito mode.
Like What You're Reading?
Sign up for SecurityWatch newsletter for our top privacy and security stories delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
As PCMag's editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
Read Jason's full bio
Read the latest from Jason Cohen
- How to Access Your Mac's Hidden Files
- Is AppleCare+ Worth Buying? Apple's Extended Warranty Explained
- The Best iPad Games for 2024
- The Best iPhone Games for 2024
- How to Turn Off or Restart an iPhone
- More from Jason Cohen
About Stephanie Mlot
Contributor
B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)
Read Stephanie's full bio
Read the latest from Stephanie Mlot
- Sluggish Browser? Here's How to Speed Up Google Chrome
- Trim the Fat: How to Better Track and Manage Paid Subscriptions
- Blackout: How to Enable Dark Mode on Your Browser
- Virtual Movie Night: How to Host a Watch Partyon Your Favorite Streaming Service
- How to Clean Your Computer Keyboard
- More from Stephanie Mlot