How to Delete Your Google Maps History

Google Maps has become an indispensable tool for navigation and trip planning. With accurate maps, real-time traffic information, and location tracking capabilities, Google Maps provides users with an unparalleled level of convenience.

When location services are enabled, Google Maps continuously tracks and records your location history. Over time, this creates a detailed log of everywhere you have been. While this location timeline can be useful for retracing your steps, many users feel uncomfortable with Google storing years worth of location data.

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How to Delete Your Google Maps History

On an Android Phone or Tablet

If you mainly use Google Maps on your Android device, follow these steps:

Open the Google Maps app on your Android phone or tablet
Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner
Select “Your timeline” from the menu
Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner
Choose “Settings and privacy”
Select “Delete all Location History” to erase your entire timeline

On iPhone or iPad

Here is the process for deleting Google Maps history on iOS devices:

Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or iPad
Tap on your profile icon or initials in the top right
Select “Your timeline” from the menu
Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner
Choose “Settings and privacy”
Select “Delete all Location History” or choose a custom date range to delete

The settings for erasing timeline and location data are very similar on iOS and Android. Just be sure to select the appropriate deletion options for your usage.

Bulk Delete and Auto-Delete Your Activity

To delete your entire location history, Google Maps provides some other useful data management options:

Custom date range – Choose a specific time to delete your history between particular dates.
Auto-delete – Have Google automatically erase timeline history older than 3, 18, or 36 months.
Individual deletions – Manually delete search history one item at a time by tapping the “X” next to an entry.

Using these settings appropriately can help you maintain control of your location data without needing to wipe all Google Maps history.

Turn Off Location History to Prevent Further Recording

Even if you delete your current timeline, Google Maps will continue passively recording location history moving forward.

Open Google Maps and tap on your profile icon
Select “Settings and privacy”
Choose “Manage all settings” and toggle “Location history” to the off position

With location history disabled, your movements will no longer be logged by Google Maps.

Use Offline Maps for Traveling to Dense Areas

If you are traveling somewhere without consistent internet access, be sure to download offline maps beforehand by:

Searching for the location name or area in Google Maps
Tapping the three-dot menu next to the location name
Choosing “Download the offline map”

It also prevents your route from being tracked and saved.

Automatically Delete Location History

Rather than manually clearing your timeline, enable auto-delete in your Google Maps settings:

Open Google Maps and tap on your profile icon
Go to “Settings and privacy”
Select “Automatically delete Location History”
Choose a deletion timeframe of 3, 18, or 36 months

With this enabled, Google will automatically erase older location history for you on an ongoing basis.

Conclusion

Your location data belongs to you alone. Don’t let Google’s convenience strip away your basic right to privacy. Follow the recommendations outlined here to delete unnecessary tracking data and lock down permissions.

Beyond Google Maps, audit your settings across all apps and services you use. Disable any location tracking not actively providing you value. Take back control of your data.

In our modern technology ecosystem, privacy requires vigilance. But with conscious effort, you can utilize these tools while maintaining your privacy and protecting sensitive information.