Google Location History is now controlled through Timeline. If Google is saving where you go, the fastest fix is to turn off Timeline for the Google Account used on your phone, tablet, or computer.
That stops new Timeline saving across signed-in eligible devices. Other Google settings, including Search Services History and Web & App Activity, can still save location-related details such as your general area or IP-based location. Google is rolling out its updated Search services settings gradually, so if your account does not show Search Services History yet, Search services history and recommendations are still controlled by Web & App Activity.
Turn Off Timeline From Your Google Account
Open https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols/location while signed in to the Google Account you want to change. You can also open the Timeline section from your Google Account.
At the top of the page, open the Timeline control and choose Turn off. That stops Timeline from saving new activity for that Google Account across signed-in eligible devices.
If Google shows a cleanup option, choose Turn off and delete activity. That stops new Timeline saving and removes saved Timeline activity in the same flow.
Use Data And Privacy On A Computer
On a computer, open your Google Account and choose Data & privacy. Under History settings, click Timeline or the activity/history setting you want to manage.
Switch the setting on or off from that page. For Google Location History, use Timeline.
If this method fails, open https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols/location directly and turn off Timeline there.
Fix It From Android Settings
The most common cause of confusion on Android is the name change from Location History to Timeline.
Open Settings, tap Google, tap your name, then tap Manage your Google Account.
Go to Data & privacy. Under History settings, tap Timeline or the activity/history setting you want to manage, then turn it on or off.
Use this account path to stop Timeline saving. Android location switches are separate from the Google Account Timeline setting.
Use Gmail On iPhone Or iPad
Open Gmail on your iPhone or iPad, then tap your profile picture or initial. Tap Manage your Google Account.
Go to Data & privacy. Under History settings, tap Timeline or the activity/history setting you want to manage, then turn it on or off.
Without Gmail, open myaccount.google.com in a browser. Manage Timeline from your Google Account there.
Use Google Maps Instead
Use this method when you prefer working inside Google Maps on Android, iPhone, or iPad. The Maps app has the same Timeline controls on both platforms. Timeline needs Google Maps version 11.106 or later on Android and is not available on Android Go devices. On iPhone or iPad, it needs Google Maps version 6.93 or later. If you do not see Your Timeline, update the app or use the Google Account path above.
Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture or initial, then tap Your Timeline.
Tap More, open Location & privacy settings, then tap Timeline is on. Under Timeline, open the dropdown menu and choose Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.
Add A Phone Wide Location Block
Turning off Timeline is the account-level fix. For a device-wide location block on Android, open Settings, tap Location, and turn Use location off.
When Use location is off on Android, places your phone goes are not saved to Timeline even if Timeline is on. Google says local results and ads can still use IP address.
On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, tap Location Services, and turn Location Services off. This prevents apps from using Location Services in the foreground or background.
If this method fails, turn off Timeline in your Google Account too, because phone location switches do not change the Google Account Timeline setting.
Block Google Maps Location Access
Use these controls when you want to block Google Maps location access without changing the account-level Timeline setting.
- 1.On Android, touch and hold Google Maps, then tap App info and Permissions.
- 2.Tap Location, then choose Don't allow.
- 3.Use the alternate Android path through Settings, Location, App location permissions, Google Maps, and Don't allow.
- 4.On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, tap Location Services, then tap Google Maps.
- 5.Select Never, or turn Precise Location off to reduce precision instead of fully blocking location.
Delete Saved Timeline Data And Backups
Use this after turning Timeline off when you also want to erase saved Timeline information. Google says deleted Timeline data is permanent and cannot be recovered.
In Google Maps, tap your profile picture or initial, open Your Timeline, then tap More.
Go to Location & privacy settings. Under Location settings, tap Delete all Timeline data and follow the on-screen instructions.
On Google's newer on-device Timeline model, edits or deletions on one device are not reflected on other devices. Data can still exist on another device or in Timeline backups.
To turn off and delete backups from Google Maps, open Your Timeline, tap Backup, choose a device under Your backups, then tap More, Delete, and Turn off & delete. This removes Timeline backups only; it does not delete Timeline data saved on devices.
A factory reset or clearing Google Play services data on Android deletes local Timeline data from that device. On iPhone or iPad, a factory reset or deleting Google Maps deletes local Timeline data from that device, but these are local cleanup options, not the main way to turn off Timeline.
Ignore Older Location History Labels
Older tutorials point to Google Maps, Settings, Personal content, and Location History is on/off. Others point to Google Account, Data & privacy, and Location History.
Use the current Timeline controls instead. The labels to look for are Timeline, Timeline is on, Turn off, and Turn off and delete activity.
If an older tutorial only shows Location History, use the current Timeline paths above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Timeline delete old location data?
No. Turning off Timeline stops new Timeline saving. To remove saved data, use Turn off and delete activity or Delete all Timeline data.
Will Google stop saving every type of location signal?
Turning off Timeline stops the Timeline feature. Other settings, including Search Services History and Web & App Activity, can still save location-related data such as general area or IP-based location.
Can I turn off Google Location History with a shortcut or voice command?
Google does not offer a current voice-assistant, hardware-key, or keyboard-shortcut method for turning off Timeline. Use the Google Account, Google Maps, or device settings paths instead.
What if this is a child account or a work account?
For a supervised child Google Account, a parent can manage activity controls in Family Link. For a work or school account, the organization's Google Workspace administrator can control Timeline.