How To Stop Location Tracking From Your Android Phone Or Tablet

Now, the reasons that you might want to stop Google from tracking your location are straightforward. But they’re also numerous. For instance, while Google has made attempts to keep location data private where possible, it hasn’t always succeeded. In some cases, as with the example linked here, that’s resulted in user data being outright sold. Of course, that’s setting aside Google’s own location data gathering. And the location data gathering that’s harvested elsewhere. All of which can potentially be used for everything from the mundane and helpful to more malicious things such as identity theft. So keeping this data private — at least to a reasonable extent — is paramount. Perhaps nowhere more so than on your mobile device and tablet. Since those are the gadgets that will be used, as it were, on the go. More importantly, this doesn’t just apply to Google. With other top sites and apps tracking location data too, such as Facebook, Twitter, and apps. Well, that’s exactly what this guide is here to show. So if you’re looking to stop more location tracking than just from Google Maps on your Android phone or tablet, this how-to guide can help.

Here’s how to put an end to location tracking on Android

First and foremost, it’s worth noting that this how-to guide applies to both tablets and smartphones, rather than computers or individual apps. There are entirely different processes to follow for your laptop, PC, or some apps that you use. Additionally, as with all of our how-to guides, the steps may not ultimately be identical. Chiefly, that’s because of differences in how some OEMs present menus. And different versions of different apps might have different processes too. But it is a good starting point and the steps should be close enough for this guide to be helpful in any case.

Turn off location tracking by Google and in Chrome

Now, the first thing you’ll likely want to do, in order to end location data tracking across Google and its services from your Android device, is to shut it off on the web-side of the equation.

Turn it off for apps that you use

Conversely, you can also turn off location tracking for individual apps that you don’t particularly trust. Although that may not be as comprehensive as you might like, as we’ll discuss in this segment.