You want location off, but Android has separate controls for apps, live sharing, and saved history. Start with the main switch to turn off device location, or block an individual app while keeping location available to others. The sharing and Timeline controls below handle who sees your location and which trips get saved.
Turn off location for the whole phone
Apps with location permission can access your location while the phone's main location switch is on. Open Settings, then select Location.
Turn off Use location. Motorola phones with this menu use the same switch. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Location, then switch off the toggle at the top of the screen.
That handles device location, but it doesn't erase stored locations or prevent websites and services from estimating your area through your IP address. Emergency services and your carrier can still obtain your location.
Use Quick Settings for faster access
Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, then tap Location to switch it off. If the tile is missing, tap Edit.
Drag Location into Quick Settings, then tap the added Location tile to turn location off. On Galaxy phones, use the Location tile in Quick Settings too; the gesture for opening the panel varies by configuration.
Block location access for individual apps
Only want to block one app? Touch and hold its icon, then select App info.
Open Permissions > Location, then choose Don't allow. This works for browsers and tracking apps too, while leaving location available to other apps.
To review access across apps, open Settings > Location > App location permissions. Select an app and choose Don't allow.
On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Apps and select the app. Then open Permissions > Location and choose Don’t allow.
Limit access while keeping an app useful
If you still need an app to use your location, restrict its background access or give it an approximate location. These controls limit access without blocking it completely.
Touch and hold the app icon, then select App info. Open Permissions > Location, then choose Allow only while using the app to restrict background location access. The available permission choices depend on the app and Android release.
On Android 12 and later, turn off Use precise location to give the app approximate location while retaining an allowed permission. For a complete block on the app's location permission, choose Don't allow instead.
Stop sharing your location with someone
End a Google Maps location share without disabling navigation:
- 1.Open Google Maps.
- 2.Tap your profile picture or initial.
- 3.Select Location sharing.
- 4.Select the person you want to stop sharing with.
- 5.Tap Stop.
Keep future trips out of Timeline
Turning off Timeline stops movement-history recording without changing other apps' location permissions. Open Google Maps, then tap your profile picture or initial. Select Your Timeline.
Open More, then select Location & privacy settings. Tap Timeline is on. Under Timeline, choose Turn off to stop recording, or Turn off and delete activity to also remove saved activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Location Accuracy stop Android from knowing my location?
No. GPS and sensors can still determine location when Google Location Accuracy is off. Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning are supplementary controls too. Use the device-wide Use location switch to turn location off.
Can my Android phone still be found after I power it off?
Yes, supported phones, including Pixel 8-series devices, can remain findable for several hours after shutdown. Find Hub has separate controls for device locating and offline finding. Powering off is not a reliable substitute for changing those settings.
Does turning off location remove location data from old photos?
No. Disabling camera location tagging affects new photos and videos; it does not erase locations already attached to photos. To stop adding location in Pixel Camera, open Settings at the bottom left, select More settings, and turn off Save location.
Why can't I turn off location for my work apps?
A company-owned device can require work-app location access that you cannot disable. For a work profile that permits changes, open Settings > Location > Location for work profile and turn off Location for work profile.