Location History is a Google Account-level setting that saves where you go with every mobile device where:
- You're signed in to your Google Account
- You have turned on Location History and
- The device has Location Reporting on
Location History is turned off by default for your Google Account and can only be turned on if you opt in.
How Location History works
When you turn on Location History, you may see a number of benefits across Google products and services, including personalised maps, recommendations based on places that you’ve visited, help finding your phone, real-time traffic updates about your commute and more useful ads.
If you opt in to Location History and your device is reporting location, the precise location of that device will be collected and stored, even when you’re not actively using a Google product or service. This helps create your Timeline where Location History data is visualised. You can edit your Timeline anytime. You can also delete your Location History – including time ranges – in Timeline anytime.
Tip: Precise location means exactly where you are, such as a particular address or street.
Your location can be determined by:
- Your device location
- Your labelled places
- Your Location History
- Your previous activity across Google products
- The IP address of your Internet connection, which is a requirement to use the Internet
- Your Wi-Fi
Important: Most of these sources of location can be controlled using either your device's permissions, your account preferences or other settings. Learn more below about how your choices affect your privacy and location.
How we protect your Location History
To keep your activity private:
- Your Google Account has built-in security that detects and blocks spam, malware, viruses and hackers.
- Your activity is stored securely, with industry-leading encryption.
- We do not sell your personal information to anyone.
You’re in control
Location History is turned off by default for your Google Account and can only be turned on if you opt in.
You can pause Location History for your account at any time under the 'Location History' section of your Google Account.
You can manage and delete your Location History information with Google Maps Timeline as well. You can choose to delete all of your history, or only parts of it.