How to Block Google from Tracking You on an Android Phone

This practical guide walks through how to block Google from tracking you on an Android phone, explains the main requirements, and highlights common issues that may appear along the way.

1. How to block Google from tracking your Android phone by disabling all location tracking features

To completely block Google from tracking, you have two options.

Turn off Android phone's location tracking

This is a 'destructive' plan because once activated it will block all applications on your phone from sending or receiving location and location data.

Step 1. Open Settings app on Android phone.

Step 2. Select 'Location'.

Step 3. Turn off mode at the top of screen by swiping left hand. This will change the word On to Off.

Turn off Google's 'Location History' setting

You can also turn off Location History mode in Google account. This will turn off location tracking of all Google apps and services with a single swipe.

Step 1. In the Settings app, select Google.

Step 2. Select "Manage your Google Account."

Step 3. On the account page, select "Privacy & personalization."

Step 4. Under Activity controls, select "Location History."

Step 5. Turn off Location History by bringing the option to the left.

Step 6. Next, users will see the Pause Location History page. This page explains that the user will lose some of the features by pressing continue. Select 'Pause' at the bottom of the page. (This button will appear after scrolling to the bottom of the page).

2. How to block Google from tracking your Android phone by disabling the location tracking features of a particular Google app

If you want some apps to not track your location while you want to allow others to do so, you can do this through the Settings app on your Android phone.

Step 1. Select the Settings app.

Step 2. Select 'Location'

Step 3. Make sure the Location option on your device is turned On.

Step 4. Select "App permissions."

Step 5. For the application you want to block tracking, click Deny and click confirm to block tracking.