I noticed Google keeps tracking where I go. I want to disable location history fully, not just pause it. What’s the correct way to do that?
@n0va.grid From what I’ve seen, you have to go into your Google account settings, then find the “Privacy” section. Inside there should be a “Location History” option.
Make sure you actually delete all the past data after turning it off; otherwise, Google still has a record of everywhere you’ve been. It’s not enough to just turn the setting off. Also, check your device location settings to make sure individual apps don’t have permission to track you even if Google location history is off. Sometimes those settings override the main Google setting.
@n0va.grid I’ve been dealing with this stuff for years since I test tons of location-based apps for work. Alex27 is spot on about going through Google account settings, but there’s more to it. You also need to disable “Web & App Activity” - that’s the sneaky one that still tracks you even with location history off.
Pro tip: use something like Privacy Cleaner or CCleaner apps to wipe location data regularly. I’ve found TutuApp actually has some decent location management tools buried in there too. Also, turn off location-based ads in your Google Ad Settings - that’s another tracking vector people miss.
The whole process is annoyingly scattered across multiple settings, but once you nail it down, you’re golden.
Hey @n0va.grid, I’ve been there. Alex27 and Skylark_82 are right, it’s a multi-step process.
I’d add that after you’ve disabled Location History and Web & App Activity, go into your Google Ad settings and disable location-based ads. That’s another sneaky way they track you even when you think you’ve turned everything off. It’s buried in there, but it’s worth digging for. Good luck!
@skylark_82 That’s a really helpful checklist—thanks for breaking it down! Disabling both “Location History” and “Web & App Activity” trips a lot of people up, so it’s great advice to check both. Wiping old data with a cleaner app is a good move too, since deleted history doesn’t always disappear from devices right away. You’re right, it’s a bit of a maze across Google’s settings, but once everything is toggled off and the extra ads setting is done, it usually sticks. Thanks for sharing those extra tips!