Turn Off Tracking Secria

How to turn off Google Maps Timeline

Timeline saves each signed-in device's precise location to that device, even when Google apps aren't open. So turn it off on every phone, delete what's saved, and delete any backups.1

Checked 28 October 2026 against the sources. The steps are the same on Android and iPhone.1, 2

Turn it off and delete it

Timeline is in the Google Maps app, version 11.106 and up. It isn't available on Android Go devices.1

Turn off Timeline

Location & privacy settingsTimeline is on

Checked against Google Maps Help, Android and iPhone versions.1, 2

  1. Open the Google Maps app. Tap your profile picture or initial, then Your Timeline.1
  2. Tap More › Location & privacy settings.1
  3. Tap Timeline is on.1
  4. From the drop-down, tap Turn off, or Turn off and delete activity to delete it at the same time.1

Edits and deletions on one device aren't reflected on your other devices, so repeat this on each one.1

Delete saved data

Location settingsDelete all Timeline data

Checked against Google Maps Help.1

  1. In Your Timeline, tap More › Location & privacy settings at the top right.1
  2. Under Location settings, tap Delete all Timeline data or Delete range of Timeline data, and follow the steps.1To keep Timeline on, tap Auto-delete Timeline instead, and delete data older than 3, 18 or 36 months.1

Google says deleted Timeline data is permanently deleted and can't be recovered.1

Delete the backups

My Google ActivityTurn off and Delete Backups

Only needed if you ever turned on Timeline backup, an encrypted copy on Google's servers.1

  1. Go to My Google Activity (myactivity.google.com).1
  2. Under Backup (On), next to Backing up data from # devices, select Menu.1
  3. Tap Turn off and Delete Backups, then Turn off & delete.1For one device: in Your Timeline, tap Backup at the top right, pick the device under Your backups, then More › Delete › Turn off & delete.1, 2

Deleting backups doesn't delete the Timeline data saved on your devices.1

Timeline isn't the only place

Google says other settings can still save location.1

Search Services History and Web & App Activity

With these on, information about your location from your device's general area and IP address may be saved with your activity in Search and Maps.1

Check them in your Google Account too.

Photos

Location may be included in your photos, depending on your camera app's settings.1

Check the camera app's location setting.

Questions people ask

Is Google Timeline on by default?

No. Google says Timeline is off by default and only turns on if you opt in, and stays off or unavailable when its systems indicate you may be under 18.1

Does a factory reset delete Timeline?

Google says a factory reset, or clearing Google Play services data, deletes the Timeline data on that device. Backups on Google's servers are separate.1

Why don't my settings match these steps?

Google says it is updating settings for Search, Maps and its other Search services gradually. Until that reaches you, history for those services is still controlled by Web & App Activity.1

Sources 2
  1. Manage your Google Maps Timeline, Google Maps Help, Android version, undated. Read 28 October 2026.
  2. Manage your Google Maps Timeline, Google Maps Help, iPhone and iPad version, undated. Read 28 October 2026.

Every step comes from Google's own help pages. How we check