3 Ways to Turn Off Google Web & App Activity: Any Device (2024)

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  • Computers and Electronics
  • Internet
  • Website Application Instructions
  • Google Applications

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Easily prevent Google from tracking your web activity and search history on any device

Written byRain Kengly

Last Updated: August 23, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Using an Android
  • |
  • Using an iPhone or iPad
  • |
  • Using a Computer
  • |
  • Tips

Google stores your web and app activities to make searches faster, give better recommendations, and provide a more personalized experience in apps like Search and Maps. If you are worried about others seeing your activity or concerned about how Google uses your personal data, you can turn off your web and app activity tracking in a few quick steps. This wikiHow article will teach you how to disable Google Web & App Activity on your Android, iPhone, iPad, or computer.

Things You Should Know

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using an Android

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  1. 1

    Open your Android's Settings

    . It’s the gear icon typically found on the home screen or in the app drawer. You can also get there quickly by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon.

  2. 2

    Tap Google. Scroll through the settings panel to find the “Google” option.[1]

    • If you don't see this button, make sure you're logged into a Google account on your Android. You may have accidentally removed your account.

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  3. 3

    Tap Manage your Google Account. This will be located under your Google account name.

    • If you want to switch your account, tap the v icon next to your current Gmail address and select an account from the pop-up menu.
  4. 4

    Tap Data & personalization. You'll see this near the top of the screen.

  5. 5

    Tap Web & App Activity. You'll see this under "Activity Controls."

  6. 6

    Tap Turn Off. A confirmation message will appear.

  7. 7

    Scroll down and tap the Pause button. You won't be able to tap Pause until you've scrolled to the bottom of the page. This pauses your web and search activity until you enable it again.

    • To delete your Web & App Activity history, tap Delete old activity under "Setting is Off" and then select a time range.
    • Tap Got It when you're finished to return to the previous screen.
  8. 8

    Choose an auto-delete preference (optional). If you find Web & App Activity useful for getting better search and Maps results, you can opt to keep it enabled and then choose an auto-delete option. By default, your history is expunged after 18 months.[2] To choose a different time period:

    • Tap Choose an auto-delete option under "Auto-delete."
    • Select Auto-delete activity older than and choose a time period from the drop-down menu.
    • Tap Next and then Got It to save your preferences.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using an iPhone or iPad

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  1. 1

    Go to https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols in a web browser. You can use any web browser on your iPhone or iPad, such as Safari or Chrome, to access your Google account settings.

    • If you're not signed in to your Google account, follow the on-screen instructions to sign in now.
  2. 2

    Tap Turn Off under "Web & App Activity." You may have to scroll down a little to see this option.

  3. 3

    Scroll down and tap the Pause button. You won't be able to tap Pause until you've scrolled to the bottom of the page. This pauses your web and search activity until you enable it again.

    • If you want to delete the activity Google has already stored for your account, tap Delete old activity under "Setting is Off."
    • Tap Got it when you're finished to return to the previous page.
    • If you want Google to track your web and app activity again in the future, you can return to https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols and tap Turn On.
  4. 4

    Choose an auto-delete preference (optional). If you find Web & App Activity useful for getting better search results, you can opt to keep it enabled and then choose an auto-delete option. By default, your history is expunged after 18 months. To choose a different time period:

    • Tap Choose an auto-delete option under "Auto-delete."
    • Select Auto-delete activity older than and choose a time period from the drop-down menu.
    • Tap Next and then Got It to save your preferences.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Computer

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  1. 1

    Go to https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols in a web browser. To turn off web and app activity on your PC or Mac, you can access your Activity Controls in a web browser.

    • If you're not signed in to your Google account, you'll be prompted to do so.
  2. 2

    Click Turn Off under "Web & App Activity." You'll see this option near the top of the page.

  3. 3

    Click Pause to stop logging your Web & App Activity. Google will no longer save your Web & App Activity.

    • If you want to delete your previous activity, click Delete old activity, and then choose a time range.
    • Click Got it when you're finished to return to the previous page.
  4. 4

    Choose an auto-delete preference (optional). If you want to keep your Web & App Activity on but automatically delete your history after a certain period of time, click Choose an auto-delete option under "Auto-delete." By default, your history will automatically disappear after 18 months, but you can choose another option from the "Auto-delete activity older than" menu.

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      Tips

      • You can view your Web & App Activity at any time in a web browser at https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity.

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        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      • Turning off Web & App Activity History on one device will disable the feature anywhere you sign in to your Google account.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      • Clearing your Web & App Activity history will not delete your web browsing history. Check out our handy guide to deleting your browsing history on all major web browsers.

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      About This Article

      3 Ways to Turn Off Google Web & App Activity: Any Device (38)

      Written by:

      Rain Kengly

      wikiHow Technology Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been viewed 157,704 times.

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      Co-authors: 16

      Updated: August 23, 2024

      Views:157,704

      Categories: Google Applications

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      3 Ways to Turn Off Google Web & App Activity: Any Device (2024)

      FAQs

      3 Ways to Turn Off Google Web & App Activity: Any Device? ›

      Tap Data & privacy. Under "History settings," tap Web & App Activity. Turn Web & App Activity on or off.

      How do I turn off Google Web and app activity? ›

      Turn Web & App Activity on or off
      1. On your Android device, open your Settings app Google. Manage your Google Account.
      2. Tap Data & privacy.
      3. Under "History settings," tap Web & App Activity.
      4. Turn Web & App Activity on or off.
      5. When Web & App Activity is on: ...
      6. When you turn Web & App Activity off:

      Should you have Web and app activity turned on or off? ›

      Chrome: In the Web & App Activity card, under Subsettings, there's a checkbox for including Google Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services. We suggest disabling this—it seems unlikely that it would improve your Internet experience sufficiently to warrant the privacy intrusion.

      What is Google's Web and app activity? ›

      Web & App Activity saves your searches and other activity on Google services to make searches faster and give you customized experiences in Search, Maps, and other Google products. You can also choose to save your: Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services.

      How do I turn off Google App access? ›

      Manage third-party connections
      1. Go to your Google Account's third-party connections page.
      2. Select Sign in with Google.
      3. Select the third-party app or service whose connection you want to remove. See details. ...
      4. Select Stop using Sign in with Google. Confirm.

      How do I delete all Google Web and app activity? ›

      How do I remove all of my Google activity?
      1. On your Android phone or tablet, go to myactivity.google.com.
      2. Above your activity, tap Delete .
      3. Tap All time.
      4. Tap Next. Delete.

      How do I stop Google from tracking my online activity? ›

      Turn "Do Not Track" on or off
      1. On your Android device, open Chrome .
      2. To the right of the address bar, tap More. Settings.
      3. Tap Privacy and security.
      4. Tap Send a "Do Not Track" request. Tip: If you are part of the Tracking Protection test group, follow the “Tracking Protection” instructions.
      5. Turn the setting on or off.

      Can anyone see what I search on Google on my phone? ›

      Google can access your search history, especially if you're signed in to your Google account. Internet service providers can see the domain names of the websites you visit. Some apps on your phone might ask permission to access your internet browsing history. If you grant it, they'll be able to view it.

      What does Google activity show? ›

      My Activity is a central place to view and manage activity such as searches you've done, websites you've visited, and videos you've watched.

      Can I see my activity history? ›

      To strengthen your privacy on shared devices, you can choose to require an extra verification step to view your full history on My Activity. On your Android phone or tablet, go to myactivity.google.com.

      How can I turn off Google? ›

      Turn off Google Assistant
      1. On most Assistant-enabled devices, say “Hey Google, open Assistant settings.” Alternatively, open the Google Assistant app. ...
      2. Under "All settings," tap General. If you don't find “General,” tap View all settings or See all Assistant Settings.
      3. Turn off Google Assistant.

      How do I manage Google activity controls? ›

      Go to your Google Account. On the left, click Data & privacy. Under "History settings," click an activity or history setting you want to manage. Turn the activity or history setting on or off.

      What Google application can be used to track your website activity? ›

      To track traffic on your website, install Google Analytics and view your Acquisition and Engagement reports there.

      How can I see what devices are connected to my Google Account? ›

      Go to your Google Account. On the left navigation panel, select Security . On the Your devices panel, select Manage all devices. You'll see devices where you're currently signed in to your Google Account or have been in the last few weeks.

      What app permissions should I turn off on Android? ›

      What app permissions should you avoid?
      • Camera. If an app accesses your camera, it can take pictures and record videos. ...
      • Microphone. ...
      • Files and media. ...
      • Location. ...
      • Contacts and call logs. ...
      • Special access. ...
      • Other permissions.
      May 25, 2023

      How do I disable permission monitoring? ›

      1 Answer
      1. Go to Settings.
      2. Select Apps.
      3. Press on 3 vertical dots on top right.
      4. Select Permission Manager.
      5. Select Location.
      6. Select Android System Intelligence.
      7. Remove the Location Permission from it.
      Mar 2, 2023

      How do I turn Google history off? ›

      To pause saving your history:
      1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google app .
      2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or initial Search history Controls.
      3. Under "Web & App Activity," tap Turn off.
      4. Tap Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.

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