what to know
- Go to the Google My Activity page and select Timeline > Close or Close and delete activity .
- Remove access in the Google Maps app: Your Timeline > Settings & Privacy > Remove Location History Range .
- Delete all location history (in the app): Your Timeline > Settings & Privacy > Delete all location history.
This article explains how to turn off Google location tracking. This information applies to services such as Google Maps and applications for the Google Android platform.
If you don't want Google to track your online activity, there are several ways to stop Google from tracking your internet history.
Google Maps keeps a history of the places you've been on your Google Maps Timeline even when the app isn't open.
Your Timeline syncs with Google Photos and other apps, which can help you remember when and where you took photos and videos. However, if someone accesses your Google Account, they can find information you might not want them to know.
If you have an Android or iOS device, Google tracks your movements to help certain apps, such as Google Maps, determine your location. You can disable location services, but some apps may not work properly.
To protect your privacy, Google recommends enabling two-factor authentication for your account.
If you don't want Google Maps, Google Photos, and other apps to track your location, follow these steps:
Go to the My Activity page and sign in to your Google Account if prompted.
Whenever you want to turn Google location tracking back on, return to the My Activity > Timeline page.
Select a timeline .
Under this section, select Close or Close and delete activity .
If you want to keep location tracking and automatically delete your location history after a specified amount of time, select an option under Automatic deletion at the bottom of the Timeline options.
Select Know to confirm deletion.
Or, if you choose to turn off tracking and delete history, select Next > Delete .
If you want to delete specific location history from your timeline, use the Google Maps mobile app:
In the Google Maps app, click your profile icon.
Click on your timeline .
Select the three vertical dots in the upper right corner > Settings & Privacy .
From the personal content area, select Delete location history range . Enter the start and end dates and click Continue > Delete .
To delete everything, select Delete all location history .
You can also delete a specific date or a stopping point starting from a specific date using the Today drop-down calendar feature from Timeline > Remove Date .
On Android, you can disable location tracking for individual apps by managing app permissions. You can choose what information each application can access from the permissions manager.
On iPhone and iPad, you can choose to enable location services only when an app is open by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Choose an App > While Using an App . Keep in mind that turning off location tracking may prevent some apps from running.
If you disable Google location tracking, your Internet provider and other websites can still determine your approximate location. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to completely hide your location. By hiding your location, a VPN allows you to bypass a website’s regional restrictions, so you can watch movies on Netflix that aren’t available in your country.
