Google Maps keeps a location history that logs where users travel, which some find useful for recalling places whilst others view it as a privacy concern. Google has recently shifted to storing this data locally on devices rather than in the cloud by default, but users can still disable the feature entirely if they prefer.

Disabling location history is straightforward through the Google Maps app: open your profile picture, select the three-dot menu, choose Location and privacy settings, and select "Turn off" or "Turn off and delete activity". Users also have granular controls, including the ability to automatically delete activity older than three, eighteen, or thirty-six months, create encrypted cloud backups, or export and selectively delete specific ranges of location data. Settings are device-specific, so the process must be repeated on any additional devices.