How to prevent Google Maps from locating you?

Turning off Google Maps Location History is not enough to prevent Google from locating you. If you want to completely get off the radar, Futura explains how to do it step by step.

If we appreciate the multitude of services offered by Google Maps and its constant desire to innovate (voice guidance for the visually impaired, notification if public transport is saturated, etc.), we only moderately like being tracked continuously.

Thus, if you use Google Maps in a very sporadic way, you should know that it records your location permanently, even when the application is not launched, as long as your internet connection is active.

You may have already tried turning off Google Maps Location History, but that only stops Google from showing you recommendations and ads based on the places you've visited.

To permanently stop any localization, Futura reveals the procedure to follow.

How to prevent tracking of your activity on Google Maps?

Start by launching Google Maps. Once you are on the main page, tap on the hamburger menu located to the left of the search bar.

Tap on the hamburger menu icon. © Google Inc.

Once the menu appears, scroll down until you find 'Settings'. Press it.

Go to Google Maps settings. © Google Inc.

The list of parameters is revealed. Now go to “History Maps”.

Tap "Maps History" in Google Maps settings. © Google Inc.

You are now on the “Google Maps Activity” page. Locate the box labeled "Web & app activity setting is on" and tap "Change setting".

Tap "Change Setting" on the "Google Maps Activity" page. © Google Inc.

You arrive on a new page. When you're permanently tracked, the slider to the right of "Web & App Activity" is placed to the right and is colored blue. Tap the slider.

It's important to note that "Web & App Activity" is not just about Google Maps, but all of Google's services. Unfortunately, it is not possible to deactivate Google tracking individually for each service offered. So, keep in mind that all of your use of Google apps will be impacted, even if that usually only results in less relevant ads and recommendations.

Tap the blue slider. © Google Inc.

Tap "Disable" to confirm the suspension of your activity history.

Validate the operation by pressing “Disable”. © Google Inc.

You are back on the previous page and the slider for your web activity is now gray and to the left.

Web and app activity is now paused. © Google Inc.

How do I delete location history?

You have now stopped Google's ability to locate you by pausing tracking of your web activity. To get to the bottom of things, you can now delete your location history kept by Google.

To do this, return to the top of the "Google Maps Activity" page, tap the three vertical dots icon to the right of the search bar, then select "Delete Activity" from the menu that appears.

Tap "Delete activity". © Google Inc.

Among the different choices available to you, choose “All the period”.

Tap on “Entire period”. © Google Inc.

Confirm that you want to clear your data on Google Maps by tapping "Delete".

Press "Delete". © Google Inc.

The deletion is effective. You can now use Google Maps without it storing your location and travel data.

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