To stop Android apps from accessing your device’s location through the main system setting, open Settings > Location and turn Use location off. Google says that when Location is off, the device’s location is not shared with apps through that setting. This is a device-level change—not a way to erase location records already saved to your Google Account or to disable every form of location inference.
Turn off the main Android Location setting
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Location. If you do not see it, search Settings for “Location.”
- Turn Use location off.
Google documents this control in its Android location settings help. Menu names and placement can vary by phone manufacturer and Android version, but look for the device-wide Location switch.
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Google’s stated effect is: “When Location is off, your device’s location isn’t shared with any apps.” That describes apps receiving the device location through Android’s Location setting; it does not mean every service loses every way to estimate where you are.
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Turning off Location can disrupt features that rely on it. Google notes that your phone may not be locatable through Find Hub, and Google Maps cannot share the device’s location while the switch is off. Location-based services may also work incorrectly.
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It is not an emergency-location kill switch. Emergency Location Services or your mobile carrier may automatically send location to emergency responders when you call or text an emergency number. Search results and ads may also be based on other information, including your IP address.
Choose the control that matches what you want to stop
| Control | Scope and data | What turning it off does—and does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Use location | Whole device; access to device location by apps through Android’s Location setting. | Stops apps from receiving device location through that setting. It does not delete saved account activity or stop emergency location handling. |
| App location permission | A selected app; its access to location. | Lets you restrict one app while leaving Location available to others. On Android 12 and later, you can manage precise location per app and allow approximate location instead. |
| Location Accuracy | Google’s Location Accuracy service, which helps determine location. | Disabling it changes how location is determined; it does not turn off the main Location switch or account history controls. |
| Timeline | Your Google Account; saved visits and routes. | Stops saving Timeline data when turned off. Existing data may remain until deleted separately. |
| Web & App Activity or Search Services History | Your Google Account; saved activity across Google services, potentially including location-related information. | Controls saved Google activity separately from Timeline and the device-wide Location switch. |
Limit location access for specific apps
If you still want navigation or weather apps to use location, change permissions app by app rather than disabling Location for the whole phone. Open Settings > Location > App location permissions (the label can vary), select an app, then choose the access level available on your device. On Android 12 and later, an app can be limited to approximate rather than precise location.
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This is useful when the concern is a particular app: it narrows that app’s access without disabling location-dependent functions across the phone. Android’s app permission guidance explains location permission options.
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Location Accuracy is not the master Location switch. It is a Google service that can use wireless signals and sensor data to help estimate location. Google documents these paths:
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- Android 12 and later: Settings > Location > Location Services > Location Accuracy.
- Android 11 and earlier: Settings > Location > Advanced > Location Accuracy.
When Location Accuracy is off, the phone relies on GPS and device sensors when available. Location may be less accurate, and location-based services may be impaired. Google says wireless signals and sensor data are not sent to its servers while this feature is off; emergency location handling may still use enhanced location. See Google’s Location Accuracy documentation.
Stop Timeline from saving visits and routes
Google now calls this account feature Timeline; it was often referred to as Location History. To stop future Timeline saves, open the Timeline section in your Google Account and turn it off. The exact account interface may differ as Google updates its controls.
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Turning Timeline off does not automatically delete previously saved Timeline data. Use the deletion controls in Timeline separately if you want to remove existing visits and routes. Google also notes that Timeline’s setting does not change Google Location Services, Location Sharing, or Find Hub. Its Timeline help page describes these controls.
Review Web & App Activity or Search Services History
Timeline is not the only Google Account setting that may save location-related information. Google says Web & App Activity can include searches and activity across Google services, as well as location information such as a general area and IP address. Depending on the account and rollout, newer controls may appear under Search Services History.
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On Android, Google documents this route for Web & App Activity: Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy > History settings > Web & App Activity. Turn the control off there; where offered, you can also choose to turn it off and delete activity. Google says these controls are rolling out gradually, so the wording or available option may differ for your account. See its Web & App Activity guidance.
Turning off Timeline does not erase all Google-held location information. Google warns that Web & App Activity or Search Services History may continue to save location-related information when you use Google services. Photos can also contain location information depending on camera settings. Deletion starts a removal process; Google says some data may be retained longer for limited legal or business purposes.
What the seven-day detail does—and does not—mean
Google says the Location Accuracy service uses a randomly assigned, temporary rotating identifier that is not associated with a specific person or account and is deleted within seven days. That timing applies to this identifier, not to all location information or saved account activity. Google’s Location Accuracy information does not state a publication year for this detail.
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