Hey there, navigator! Have you ever opened up Google Maps and noticed it remembers everywhere you’ve been? Creepy? Maybe. Handy? Definitely. But sometimes, you just want a clean slate. Whether it’s for privacy, phone storage, or you simply don’t need Google knowing you went to that dog psychic at 3 PM last Tuesday—no judgment—we’ve got you covered.

This guide will show you how to clear your Google Maps history. It’s fun. It’s easy. And yes—it’s as satisfying as cleaning out your junk drawer.

Why Clear Your Google Maps History?

Let’s start with the basics. Why would anyone even do this?

• Privacy: You don’t want other people seeing where you’ve been.
• Declutter: Your app history is full of places you’ll never visit again (like that random burrito place you tried once).
• Fresh Start: New city? New life? New Map!
• Better Recommendations: Google uses your history to suggest places. If your info’s outdated, so are the suggestions.

Before You Start

Google saves location history in two different ways:

1. Your full location history (i.e., where your phone has gone)
2. Your place search and navigation history (things you’ve typed in)

You can delete either. Or both. Let’s do it step by step.

Step 1: Clear Search and Navigation History

Let’s start with the easy stuff—your search history.

On Mobile (Android and iPhone):

1. Open the Google Maps app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Settings”.
4. Tap “Maps history”.
5. You’ll be taken to a timeline of past activity.
6. Find an item you want to remove and tap the three dots (⋮) next to it.
7. Tap “Delete”.

Want to delete a bunch of items at once?

• Under the search bar in “Maps history”, tap “Delete”.
• You can choose: Delete today, Custom range, or All time.

On Desktop:

1. Go to myactivity.google.com.
2. Click on “Filter by date & product”.
3. Select Maps under the “Filter by Google product” section.
4. Click Apply.
5. Now you’ll see all your Maps-related activity.
6. Click the three dots beside each item to delete.

Step 2: Turn Off Location History

This stops Google from saving new location info going forward. Think of it like putting a lid on the cookie jar.

On Mobile or Desktop:

1. Visit Google Activity Controls.
2. Scroll down to Location History.
3. Click or tap the toggle switch to turn it off.

Note: Turning this off doesn’t delete what’s already been saved. It just stops new stuff from being added.

Step 3: Clear Entire Location History

This wipes out everything from the big Google brain. If your phone’s been somewhere, it won’t remember anymore. It’s like telling it, “Shhh, forget everything.”

1. Go to Google Maps Timeline.
2. Click the gear icon at the bottom right.
3. Choose “Delete all Location History”.
4. Follow the prompt to confirm.

Done! Now even if someone hacks into your account (don’t let that happen), they won’t know about your late-night taco runs.

Set Up Auto-Delete (Because Who Has Time?)

Don’t want to do this over and over? Set it and forget it!

1. Again, visit Google Activity Controls.
2. Go to Location History and click “Auto-delete”.
3. Choose how long Google should hold onto your stuff: 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months.
4. Click Next then confirm.

Poof! Old stuff will vanish on schedule. Old you? Forgotten. Like last year’s fashion trends.

Bonus Tip: Use Incognito Mode

Yep, Google Maps has Incognito Mode. It’s like a secret ninja mode that doesn’t save your movements or search activity.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Google Maps app.
2. Tap your profile icon.
3. Select “Turn on Incognito mode”.

Now you can make your moves in mystery. To turn it off, do the same thing but tap “Turn off Incognito mode”.

FAQs and Fun Facts

• Q: Will clearing my Maps history delete my saved Google Places?
  A: No. Your saved places (like starred or labeled locations) will stay unless you remove them separately.
• Q: Can I just delete a specific trip?
  A: Yes! In your Maps Timeline, select the date and remove that individual trip.
• Q: What if I share my location with friends?
  A: Turning off or deleting history won’t affect real-time sharing, but turning off Location Services will.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

• Open Maps and go to history through profile > settings
• Delete items one-by-one or in bulk
• Visit Google My Activity to clear data
• Turn off Location History to stop future saves
• Set auto-delete or use Incognito to stay stealthy

Whether you’re cleaning up or going off the grid, Google Maps gives you the tools to manage your data. Remember, you’re in control (even if it doesn’t always feel like it).

Now go ahead—take that mystery road trip, search for “best karaoke pizza bar in town,” and live a little. Just wipe the trail when you’re done. 😉