Turn Off Google Maps' Memory
Google Maps can keep a record of everywhere you've been and everything you've looked up. Here's how to switch both off, and wipe what's already there.
Google Maps can remember two things about you: where you've been (your Timeline, formerly Location History) and what you've searched for (saved under Web & App Activity). Together they're a day-by-day map of your life: home, work, the clinic, the bar, the address you looked up once. Here's how to stop both.
1. Turn off Timeline
In the Google Maps app:
- Tap your profile picture (top right).
- Tap Your Timeline.
- Tap the ⋮ menu → Location & privacy settings.
- Tap Timeline (it may say Location History) and choose Turn off.
- Pick Turn off and delete activity to erase what's already stored, or just Turn off to stop new recording. Confirm.
If you keep Timeline on, at least turn off its cloud backup, so the record stays on your phone.
2. Turn off search history
- Tap your profile picture → Your data in Maps.
- Scroll to Web & App Activity.
- Turn it off, and delete past activity while you're there.
Note that Web & App Activity covers more than Maps; switching it off also stops saving Search and other Google activity. You can manage it all at Activity controls and review what Maps already holds at My Activity → Maps. If you'd rather keep it on, set auto-delete to the shortest period offered.
3. Use Incognito for one-off trips
Tap your profile picture → Turn on Incognito mode. While it's on, Maps doesn't save your searches or navigation to your account, and doesn't update your Timeline (Google's help page). Turn it off from the same menu.
4. Limit the permission itself
In your phone's settings, set Google Maps' location access to While using the app rather than Always, and switch off precise location for apps that don't need it.
The places you go are nobody's business. Make Maps forget the route as soon as you arrive.