How to stop Google from tracking your iPhone's location

If you've downloaded an app like Google Maps, then Google tracks your iPhone's every move. While this might seem like an invasion of privacy, there are certainly benefits, such as location-specific recommendations when you're browsing, and real-time traffic updates. 

While you can disable location tracking on each individual Google app, there's also a quick way to make sure that Google doesn't track you from any app you download.

To do this, you'll need to disable your Google account's "Location History" option.

How to stop Google from tracking your iPhone

Google saves your location to your Google account using a feature called Location History. 

Location History records everywhere you go (or, more precisely, everywhere your phone goes) as long as you're signed into your Google account and you have Location History turned on. When Location History is enabled, Google shares your location data with all its apps and services. 

As you might expect, Google encourages you to leave this feature on. If you turn it off, most services that depend on knowing where you are will stop working. 

1. Start the Google app on your iPhone. If you don't have the standard Google app, download it and log into your account using it.

2. Tap your account avatar in the top-right corner of the screen. 

3. Tap "Manage your Google Account," and then "Privacy & personalization," or "Data & personalization" at the top of the screen.

4. Under the "Activity controls" heading, tap "Location History."

5. Swipe the "Location History" toggle to the left to turn it off.

6. You'll see a lengthy explanation about the services and features you'll lose access to if you turn off Location History. If you still want to proceed, tap "Pause" at the bottom of the page (which won't be available until you scroll through the entire page). Otherwise, tap "Cancel" or close the app.

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