For many years, Google has been a household name when it comes to anything related to the internet. They have created various services that keep us connected and informed. One of these services is Google Maps, which allows you to navigate an area and view satellite imagery. Google Maps also records your search history when you use it. But what if you want to erase that search history, particularly on your iPhone? In this post, we’ll show you how to delete searches on Google Maps.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To delete searches on Google Maps, you only need your iPhone and an internet connection.
What requires your attention is…?
Before you delete your Google Maps search history, you should be aware of the following things:
- Deleting your search history will prevent Google from personalizing your search results based on your previous searches
- Deleting your search history will not stop Google from saving and using your search data for advertising and other purposes
- Deleting your search history is irreversible
Method 1: Clearing Your Google Maps Search History
Do you want to delete your entire search history from Google Maps? Follow these simple steps:
- Launch the Google Maps app on your iPhone
- Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) on the top-left corner of the screen
- Select "Settings" from the menu
- Scroll down and select "Maps history"
- Tap "X" next to the search you want to delete, or tap "Delete activity by" at the top of the screen to select a date range for deleting your entire search history
- Tap "Delete" to confirm your selection
Pros:
- It’s easy and quick to delete your entire search history
Cons:
- You cannot choose which searches to delete individually, as it’s either all or nothing
- You have to repeat this process periodically if you want to keep your search history from piling up
Method 2: Automatically Deleting Your Google Maps Search History
Do you want your search history to be deleted automatically every few months? Follow these steps:
- Launch the Google Maps app on your iPhone
- Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) on the top-left corner of the screen
- Select "Settings" from the menu
- Scroll down and select "Maps history"
- Select "Automatically delete location history"
- Select how long you want to keep your search history or select "Keep until I delete manually"
Pros:
- Automatically deletes your search data, saving you the time and effort of manually deleting your history
- Gives you control over how long you want your search history to be saved
Cons:
- If you choose to keep your data for a long period, it may still accumulate and take up storage space on your device
Method 3: Deleting Your Google Maps Search History from Your Google Account
Do you want to delete your search history across all your devices? Follow these steps:
- Go to the Google My Activity page on your computer or smartphone
- Log in with your Google account
- Click on "Delete activity by" on the left-hand side of the screen
- Select a date range, or select "All time" to delete your entire search history
- Click on "Delete" to confirm your selection
Pros:
- Deletes your search history across all your devices
- Gives you control over which searches you want to delete
Cons:
- You have to manually delete your search history periodically if you want to keep your search history from piling up
Why Can’t I Delete Searches on Google Maps?
If you can’t delete searches on Google Maps, it may be due to the following reasons:
- You’re not signed in to your Google account
- Your Google Maps app needs an update
- You have a slow or unstable internet connection
- Your device’s storage is full, preventing the app from saving your changes
Fixes:
- Sign in to your Google account
- Update your Google Maps app
- Connect to a stronger and stable internet connection
- Free up some storage space on your device
Implications and Recommendations
Deleting your search history on Google Maps can prevent Google from personalizing your search results based on your previous searches. However, Google may still use your search data for advertising and other purposes unless you take additional steps to protect your privacy. Here are some recommendations:
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your online privacy
- Use Google’s privacy checkup tool to audit the privacy settings for your Google account
- Use an ad-blocker to prevent advertisers from tracking your online behavior
- Consider using alternative mapping apps that respect your privacy, such as OpenStreetMap or HERE WeGo
FAQs
Q: Can I recover deleted searches on Google Maps?
A: No, you cannot recover deleted searches on Google Maps.
Q: Can I delete only specific searches on Google Maps?
A: Yes, you can delete specific searches on Google Maps by tapping "X" next to the search you want to delete.
Q: How do I delete my Google Maps search history on Android?
A: You can delete your Google Maps search history on Android by following the same steps as Method 1 and Method 2.
Q: How long does Google keep my search history on Google Maps?
A: Google keeps your search history on Google Maps indefinitely unless you manually delete it or use the automatically delete feature.
Q: Can I delete my search history on Google Maps without a Google account?
A: No, you cannot delete your search history on Google Maps without a Google account.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to delete searches on Google Maps on your iPhone. Remember that deleting your search history can help protect your privacy, but you should also take additional measures to safeguard your online presence.