How to Turn Off Google Location History — Phone and Account Settings

Google Location History saves places you go to your Google Account Timeline when enabled. If you want more privacy—or simply less stored data—how to turn off Google Location History takes a few minutes on phone or web. Turning it off stops new Timeline entries, but related settings may still use location for other features unless you adjust those separately.

Note: Menus vary by Android version, manufacturer skin, and Google app version. Names below reflect common 2025–2026 layouts; look for equivalent labels if yours differ slightly.

What Location History Controls

When on, Google may store a history of device locations tied to your account (Timeline in Maps). When off, new place history is not saved to Timeline.

Separate from:

• Device location services (GPS for navigation apps)
• Web & App Activity (may still use location for recommendations)
• Find My Device emergency features

Review all three for your privacy goal.

Step 1: Turn Off on Android (Google Account)

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.

2. Tap Location → Location services (wording varies).

3. Tap Google Location History or open Google app → profile icon → Manage your Google Account.

4. Go to Data & privacy tab.

5. Under History settings, select Location History.

6. Tap Turn off (may say Pause).

7. Confirm—you can choose to delete existing activity or keep old data.

Alternatively: Google Maps → profile picture → Your Timeline → gear icon → Location History settings.

Step 2: Turn Off on iPhone (Google Apps)

iOS does not expose Google Location History in iPhone Settings directly—you manage it through Google:

1. Open Google Maps or Google app.

2. Tap profile photo → Manage your Google Account.

3. Data & privacy → Location History.

4. Turn off / Pause for this account.

Ensure Google Maps has location permission only as you prefer: iPhone Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Google Maps → choose While Using, Always, or Never independently of History.

Step 3: Turn Off on Web (Any Device)

1. Visit [myaccount.google.com](https://myaccount.google.com).

2. Sign in.

3. Click Data & privacy.

4. Under History settings, click Location History.

5. Click Turn off and confirm options for existing data.

Useful for managing family accounts or when phone menus are confusing.

Step 4: Delete Existing Timeline Data (Optional)

Turning off stops future logging; old data may remain until deleted.

From Location History settings:

• Delete all Location History— wipes stored Timeline for all time (confirm carefully)
• Auto-delete— set 3, 18, or 36 months if you want limited retention instead of full off

Deletion can take time; backups may persist briefly per Google's policies.

Step 5: Review Related Privacy Settings

| Setting | What it does |

|---------|----------------|

| Web & App Activity | Saves searches and app usage; may include location |

| Timeline in Maps | Visualizes Location History |

| Location Accuracy (Android) | Wi-Fi/cell improve GPS— not same as History |

| Shared location in Maps | Live sharing with contacts— separate toggle |

For minimal Google location storage: pause Location History and review Web & App Activity and ad personalization settings.

What still uses location when History is off

| Feature | May still use location? |

|---------|-------------------------|

| Turn-by-turn navigation | Yes, while navigating |

| Weather widget | Often yes |

| Find My Device | Yes |

| Stored Timeline entries | Old data until deleted |

| Ads personalization | Separate ad settings |

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Pausing Location History but leaving unlimited Web & App Activity
• Assuming one phone change applies to all devices instantly
• Deleting history on shared account without telling family members who rely on Timeline
• Confusing Google Maps live location sharing with Location History
• Using third-party "privacy" apps that request Google password

Troubleshooting

| Problem | Fix |

|--------|-----|

| Toggle turns back on | Check family link parental controls; work profile policies |

| Still see Timeline entries | Old data not deleted; delay before sync; different Google account signed in |

| Cannot find setting | Update Google Maps and Google app; use web myaccount.google.com |

| Work phone managed by employer | MDM may enforce location—personal account settings may be restricted |

| Need location for Maps nav but not History | Keep location permission on; keep History off |

FAQ

Does turning off Location History stop Google knowing my location entirely?

No. Apps may still use real-time location for features. History specifically controls stored Timeline-style logs tied to account.

Will Find My Device still work?

Generally yes—device location for finding a lost phone is a separate service.

Can law enforcement access this data?

Google may respond to valid legal requests per its policies—privacy settings reduce retained data but do not replace legal protections.

Does turning off History affect Google Photos location grouping?

Some location-based features in Photos may use other signals—review Photos settings separately if that matters to you.

Will rideshare apps stop working?

No—app-level location permissions are independent; adjust each app in phone settings.

The Takeaway

How to turn off Google Location History: open Google Account → Data & privacy → Location History → Turn off, then optionally delete old Timeline data and review Web & App Activity. Check settings on each account and device you use—pausing on one phone does not always affect another logged into the same account until synced.