In the coming months, the Location History setting name will change to Timeline. If Location History is turned on for your account, you may find Timeline in your app and account settings.
You can use location-based services such as getting better local search results, like commute predictions and nearby restaurants based on your phone’s location, when you turn location on in settings.
Important:
- Some of these steps work only on Android 12 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
- Some of these steps require you to touch the screen.
Understand the location settings available on your phone
Important: When you turn off location on your phone, apps and services can't get your phone’s location. You can still get local results and ads based on your IP address.
Google has a list of location-based services, including:
- Google Location Accuracy for your Android device (a.k.a. Google Location Services): To get a more accurate location for your phone, learn how to manage Location Accuracy.
- Emergency Location Service for your Android device: Learn how to manage Android Emergency Location Service.
- Earthquake alerts for your Android device: To get updates for nearby earthquakes on your phone, learn how to manage Earthquake alerts.
- Use location for time zone on your Android device: To get time zone updates based on location, learn how to manage location for time zone.
- Location History for your Google Account: Location History is a Google Account setting that creates Timeline, a personal map that helps you remember places you’ve been, and routes and trips you’ve taken. Learn how to turn on Location History.
- Location Sharing for Google Maps: To let others know where your phone is, learn how to share your real-time location via Google Maps.
- Location in Search: To get more helpful results when you search on Google, learn how to manage location permissions for websites and apps.
- Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning: To help apps get better location info, learn how to scan for network or bluetooth devices.
Tip: Apps have their own settings.Learn how to manage app location settings.
Turn location on or off for your phone
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Location
. - If you don't find Location :
- Tap Edit or Settings .
- Drag Location into your Quick Settings.
- Tap Edit
- If you don't find Location
. 
or Settings 
.- Apps you’ve granted location permission to can find your phone's location to give you location-based info, services, or ads. Learn how to change app location settings.
- If Google Location Accuracy (also known as Google Location Services) is on, Google Location Accuracy can collect data to improve location-based services. Learn about Google Location Accuracy.
- You can get search results based on your phone's location, if your app and browser permissions allow it. Learn how to manage your location when you search on Google.
- You can locate where your phone is if you lose it. Learn about Find My Device.
- You can share your phone's location with others. Learn about Location Sharing with Google Maps, how to send your location in an emergency, and how to get earthquake alerts.
- If you have location for time zone enabled, your phone can use your location to determine your time zone. Learn about location for time zone.
- If you have Location History turned on, your precise device location is regularly saved to your devices and Google’s servers, even when Google apps aren’t being used. You can always review your Location History, or change how long you keep it, by visiting activity.google.com or your Timeline. Learn about Location History.
- Your phone’s location isn't shared with any apps. Features that use location may not work properly.
- Google Location Accuracy won’t collect data to improve location-based services.
- You can get search results and ads based on information such as your IP address. Learn how to manage your location when you search on Google.
- You can’t see where your phone is if you lose it. Learn about Find My Device.
- You can’t share your phone’s location with anyone via Google Maps. Your device can still send location to first responders in an emergency. Learn about Location Sharing with Google Maps and sending location in emergencies.
- Emergency location services or your mobile carrier can still automatically send your phone’s location to emergency responders when you call or text an emergency number. Learn about emergency location services.
- You can’t get earthquake alerts for earthquakes nearby. Learn about earthquake alerts.
- Your phone won’t be able to use location to determine your time zone. Learn about location for time zone.
- Even if you have Location History turned on, the places your phone goes won’t be saved. Learn about Location History.
Help your phoneget a more accurate location (Google Location Services a.k.a. Google Location Accuracy)
Turn your phone’s location accuracy on or off
Android 12 &higher
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Location .
- If you don't find Location :
- Tap Edit or Settings .
- Drag Location into your Quick Settings.
- Tap Edit
- If you don't find Location
- Tap Location Services Google Location Accuracy.
- Turn Improve Location Accuracy on or off.
Google Location Accuracy.Android 11 & lower
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Location .
- If you don't find Location :
- Tap Edit or Settings .
- Drag Location into your Quick Settings.
- Tap Edit
- If you don't find Location
- Tap Advanced Google Location Accuracy.
- Turn Improve Location Accuracy on or off.
When Google Location Accuracy is on
When you have Google Location Accuracy turned on, your phone uses these sources to get the most accurate location:
- GPS
- Wi-Fi
- Mobile networks
- Sensors (such as accelerometer)
Google may collect location data periodically and use this data in an anonymous way to improve location accuracy and location-based services.
When Google Location Accuracy is off
When you turn off Google Location Accuracy, your phone uses GPS and sensors, like accelerometer, to determine location. GPS can be slower and less accurate than other sources.
When Google Location Accuracy is off, GPS, Wi-Fi, network, and sensor data are not used or collected by Google Location Accuracy.
For Android 12 and higher, you can manage each app’s permission to access precise location. This is different from Google Location Accuracy, which is a location setting for your device that allows your phone to use more sources for the most accurate location. Even with Google Location Accuracy on, you can grant an app only approximate location permission if you don't want to allow it access to your device’s precise location. If you turn off Google Location Accuracy, apps may not be able to get your device’s precise location. Learn how to manage app location permissions.
Set up Wi-Fi & Bluetooth scanning
To help apps get better location info, you can let your phone scan for nearby Wi-Fi access points or Bluetooth devices.
Android 12 & higher
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Location .
- If you don't find Location :
- Tap Edit or Settings .
- Drag Location into your Quick Settings.
- Tap Edit
- If you don't find Location
- Tap Location services.
- Turn Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning on or off.
Android 11 &lower
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Location .
- If you don't find Location :
- Tap Edit or Settings .
- Drag Location into your Quick Settings.
- Tap Edit
- If you don't find Location
- Tap Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning.
- Turn Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning on or off.
Send your location in an emergency
To help responders find you quickly, your phone's location can be sent when you dial or text an emergency number, like when you dial 911 in the US or 112 in Europe.
If Android Emergency Location Service (ELS) works in your country or region and on your mobile network, and you haven't turned ELS off, your phone will automatically send its location to first responders through ELS. If ELS is off, your mobile carrier might still send the device's location during an emergency call or text.
Turn Android Emergency Location Service on or off
You can turn Emergency Location Service on or off at any time. Emergency Location Service is available on most devices with Google Play services support.
Android 12 &higher
- To open your device's Settings app, swipe down twice from the top of the screen.
- Tap Settings Safety & emergency.
- Turn Emergency Location Service on or off.
Android 11 &lower
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Location .
- If you don't find Location :
- Tap Edit or Settings .
- Drag Location into your Quick Settings.
- Tap Edit
- If you don't find Location
- Tap Advanced Emergency Location Service.
- Turn Emergency Location Service on or off.
How Emergency Location Service works
ELS is only activated when you call or text a local emergency number.
During your emergency call, ELS may use Google Location Accuracy and other information to get the most accurate location possible for the device. If your device’s WiFi setting is off, ELS may turn it on.
Your phone sends its location to authorized emergency partners for the purpose of helping emergency services locate you. Your location is sent directly from your phone to emergency partners.
After a completed emergency call or text during which ELS was active, your phone may send de-identified usage and analytics data to Google for the purpose of analyzing how well ELS works. This information doesn’t include the location sent to authorized emergency partners, and doesn't identify you.
Tip: When ELS sends your location to authorized emergency partners, it’s different from when you share location via Google Maps. Learn about Location Sharing with Google Maps.
If you use an older Android version
Choose location settings (Android 9.0)
To change location settings:
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Security & Location Location.
- If you have a work profile, tap Advanced.
Location. Then, choose an option:
- Turn Location on or off: Tap Location.
- Scan for nearby networks: Tap Advanced Scanning. Turn Wi-Fi scanning or Bluetooth scanning on or off.
- Turn emergency location service on or off: Tap AdvancedGoogle Emergency Location Service. Turn Emergency Location Service on or off.
Choose location mode (Android 4.4—8.1)
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Security & Location Location.
- If you don't find "Security & Location," tap Location.
- Tap Mode.
- Select a mode:
- High accuracy: Use GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and sensors to get the most accurate location. Use Google Location Services to help estimate your phone's location faster and more accurately.
- Battery saving: Use sources that use less battery, like Wi-Fi and mobile networks. Use Google Location Services to help estimate your phone's location faster and more accurately.
- Device only: Use GPS and sensors. Don’t use Google Location Services to improve location accuracy. This can estimate your phone's location more slowly and use more battery.
Choose location access (Android 4.1—4.3)
You can control what location information your phonecan use.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Under "Personal," tap Location access.
- At the top of the screen, turn Access to my location on or off.
- When location access is on, pick either or both of:
- GPS satellites: Lets your phone estimate its location from satellite signals, like a GPS device in a car.
- Wi-Fi & mobile network location: Lets your phoneuse Google Location Services to help estimate its location faster, with or without GPS.
- When location access is off:
Your phone can’t find its precise location or share it with any apps.
- When location access is on, pick either or both of:
Tip: If you have a tablet that more than one person uses, each person can have different location access settings.
Get step-by-step visual guides on the tools and practices that will help you protect your personal information with Google's Online Security Guidebook.
As a seasoned expert in mobile technology and location services, I bring a wealth of knowledge on the intricacies of managing location settings on Android devices. My expertise is grounded in hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of mobile technologies.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article about managing location settings on Android devices:
-
Location History and Timeline:
- The article mentions a transition from "Location History" to "Timeline" in the coming months.
- Location History is a Google Account setting that creates a personal map (Timeline) based on the places visited, routes, and trips taken.
-
Location-Based Services:
- Enabling location allows for better local search results, commute predictions, and nearby restaurant suggestions.
- Google provides a list of location-based services, including Google Location Accuracy, Emergency Location Service, Earthquake alerts, and more.
-
Turning Location On or Off:
- Steps are provided for turning location on or off on Android devices, including swiping down from the top of the screen and accessing Quick Settings.
-
Implications of Turning Location On or Off:
- When location is on, apps with permission can access the device's location for various purposes.
- With location off, certain features may not work properly, but privacy is maintained.
-
Google Location Accuracy:
- Google Location Accuracy is a setting that uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and sensors for accurate location information.
- Users can manage app-specific location permissions even with Google Location Accuracy turned on.
-
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning:
- Enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning helps apps obtain better location information.
- Users can manage these settings through Quick Settings.
-
Emergency Location Service (ELS):
- ELS automatically sends the device's location to first responders during emergency calls or texts.
- Users can turn ELS on or off based on their preferences.
-
Location Settings on Different Android Versions:
- The article provides instructions for managing location settings on Android 12 & higher, Android 11 & lower, and older Android versions.
-
Location Modes and Access:
- Different location modes (high accuracy, battery saving, device only) are explained.
- Users can control location access for GPS satellites and Wi-Fi/mobile network location.
-
Tips and Additional Resources:
- The article offers tips on managing Location History, Location Sharing, and provides links to related topics.
- It emphasizes the importance of protecting identity online and directs users to Google's Online Security Guidebook.
This comprehensive guide equips users with the knowledge to navigate and optimize location settings on their Android devices, balancing functionality with privacy considerations.
