Google Maps Does More Than Give You Directions
Google Maps makes navigation incredibly easy, but there are privacy settings you shouldn't ignore.
Depending on your settings, Google Maps and related Google services can retain information connected to your searches, Maps activity, location history and shared location.
That means your Maps account could contain a surprisingly detailed record of your digital activity.
If you haven't checked these settings recently, now is a good time to do it.
Google provides controls that allow you to review, delete or limit different types of activity. The important thing is knowing where those controls are and deciding what you're comfortable keeping.
Your Timeline Can Remember Where You've Been — Turn It Off If You Don't Need It
Google Maps Timeline is designed to help you remember places you've visited and trips you've taken.
When Timeline is enabled, Google's current documentation says precise device location can be regularly saved to your device, even when Google apps aren't being used. Timeline is off by default and requires you to opt in.
Google also allows users to create an encrypted backup of Timeline data on its servers, which can be useful when changing devices.
If you don't use Timeline, there's little reason to leave a detailed location history enabled simply because you forgot it was there.
How to Turn Off Timeline
On Android, the current Google Maps process is:
1. Open Google Maps.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial.
3. Select Your Timeline.
4. Tap More.
5. Select Location and privacy settings.
6. Tap Timeline is on.
7. Choose Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.
8. Follow the instructions shown on screen.
Google also provides options for deleting all Timeline data, deleting a specific date or deleting a selected range.
Don't just turn it off and forget about the existing data. If you no longer want your previous Timeline information, review the deletion options as well.
Your Maps Searches and Old History Can Also Be Stored
Turning off Timeline doesn't necessarily remove every piece of location-related information associated with your Google activity.
Google explains that when other activity settings are enabled, information such as your general area or IP-based location can be associated with activity on Google Search and Maps.
So even after dealing with Timeline, there are more privacy settings worth checking.
How to Review Your Activity
You can review Google's activity controls through your Google Account:
1. Open your Google Account.
2. Go to Data & privacy.
3. Find History settings.
4. Review settings such as Web & App Activity and Search services history.
5. Choose whether to turn activity saving off or use the available deletion and auto-delete controls.
Google also provides options to automatically delete certain activity after a selected period.
The key point is simple: don't assume that turning off one setting automatically stops every type of activity from being saved.
How to Delete Your Old Maps History
Changing your settings going forward doesn't necessarily erase information that has already been saved.
Google Maps provides controls for deleting Maps history by individual items, by date, by a custom range or for all available activity.
On Android:
1. Open Google Maps.
2. Sign in to your Google Account.
3. Tap your profile picture or initial.
4. Select Your data in Maps.
5. Open Search services history.
6. Review the available activity.
7. Select individual items or use Delete to remove activity by date or delete all available activity.
However, Google specifically warns that deleting Maps history does not necessarily delete other types of information, such as Timeline visits, saved lists, reviews or other activity stored separately.
Before deleting anything, check what is included. But if you don't need years of old Maps activity, this is the time to clean it up.
Check Who Can See Your Location and Your Phone's Permissions
Location sharing is another setting you should check immediately.
If you've previously shared your live location with someone, it's worth finding out whether that sharing is still active.
You may have enabled it for a temporary situation and simply forgotten about it.
Google Maps lets you manage your location-sharing settings so you can review who has access and stop sharing when necessary.
If someone no longer needs to see your location, there is no reason to leave the sharing active.
Don't Forget Your Phone's Location Permissions
Google Maps' privacy controls aren't the only settings that matter.
Your Android phone also controls whether an app can access your device's location.
Google explains that apps and websites can receive location information when device-location settings and permissions allow it.
To review Maps' permission:
1. Open your phone's Settings.
2. Go to Apps.
3. Select Maps.
4. Tap Permissions.
5. Select Location.
6. Review the available permission options.
7. If appropriate for how you use Maps, choose a more limited option such as Allow only while using the app.
The exact wording and menu location can vary between Android versions and manufacturers.
If you only need Maps to know your location while navigating, check whether continuous access is actually necessary for the way you use the app.
Timeline Isn't the Only Location Setting You Should Check
This is the part many people can easily overlook.
Turning off Google Maps Timeline doesn't mean Google suddenly has no information about your location whatsoever.
Google says other services and settings can still process location-related information, including general location derived from your device or IP address.
That's why checking Timeline, activity history, location sharing and your phone's app permissions together gives you a much more complete picture of your privacy settings.
Don't stop after changing one setting. Go through the whole list.
Take Control of Your Maps Privacy
Google Maps is extremely useful, but convenience shouldn't mean ignoring your privacy settings.
Timeline can help you remember where you've been, while Maps history and activity controls can make it easier to find previous searches and other activity.
If you don't need these features, turn them off, review your existing data and delete what you no longer want retained.
And if you do want the convenience, you can keep the features enabled while using Google's auto-delete and privacy controls to limit how long information is retained. Google currently offers automatic deletion options for Timeline data after 3, 18 or 36 months.
You don't have to stop using Google Maps.
But if you haven't checked these settings in a long time, take a few minutes today to see what is enabled.
Your location data is personal information. You should be the one deciding how much of it Google Maps keeps, how long it remains available and who can access your shared location.
