If you use the Google app on iPhone, it can save different kinds of activity: what you search, what you watch, and (optionally) location-related data tied to your Google Account.
This guide walks through the settings that matter most, what they change, and a quick checklist you can use to reduce data collection without making the app unusable.
One important note: some controls live in the Google app, and some live in your Google Account settings (which the app opens in a web view).
Know the three “buckets” of Google activity
Google’s activity controls are easiest when you think in buckets. Each bucket has its own switch and its own auto-delete option.
- Web & App Activity: searches, browsing-related activity, and app interactions tied to your account.
- Location History: a timeline-style record of places (only if enabled).
- YouTube History: watch and search history for YouTube.
If you only change one setting, make it Web & App Activity. It affects the most.
Find the right settings path in the Google app (iOS)
On iPhone, the exact labels can vary slightly by version, but the path is usually consistent.
- Open the Google app
- Tap your profile icon (top right)
- Open Manage your Google Account
- Go to Data & privacy
- Look for History settings (Web & App Activity, Location History, YouTube History)
If you have multiple Google accounts on the phone, double-check you’re in the right one before changing anything.
Web & App Activity: what to turn off (and what you’ll notice)
Web & App Activity is the switch that usually surprises people, because it can include more than “search box” queries.
What it can store (depending on options): searches, interactions with Google services, and sometimes related app activity.
- Pause Web & App Activity if you want Google to stop saving new activity to your account.
- Check for sub-options like Include Chrome history or Include activity from sites and apps that use Google services (wording varies). Turn off anything you don’t want associated with your account.
What changes when you pause it: you may get less personalized suggestions (fewer “based on your recent searches” prompts), but core search still works normally.
Location: separate “iPhone permission” from “Google Location History”
There are two layers here, and they’re easy to mix up.
- iPhone Location Services permission: whether the Google app can access location on your device.
- Google Location History: whether Google saves a long-term record of your locations to your account.
If your goal is “don’t keep a timeline,” focus on turning off Location History (or setting it to auto-delete). If your goal is “don’t even let the app use location,” change the iPhone permission too.
- To change iPhone permission: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Google
- Choose Never or While Using the App, and consider turning off Precise Location if you don’t need it.
What you’ll notice: turning off location access can reduce “near me” results accuracy and local weather/traffic convenience, but it’s a clean privacy win.
Auto-delete: the best “set it and forget it” compromise
If you don’t want to fully pause activity, Auto-delete is the next best control. It keeps recent history for usefulness, but removes older data on a schedule.
- Set auto-delete for Web & App Activity
- Set auto-delete for YouTube History (if you use YouTube)
- Set auto-delete for Location History (if it’s on)
Pick the shortest window that still feels practical for you. Shorter windows reduce long-tail profiling and “old searches resurfacing” later.
Clear what’s already saved (without changing future settings)
Turning off a setting usually stops new saves, but it doesn’t automatically delete what’s already there.
In the same Data & privacy area, look for options like My Activity, then:
- Delete > choose Last hour, Last day, or All time
- Use Delete by topic/product if you only want to remove one category
This is useful after you change settings—so your past data matches your new preference.
Quick checklist: a “low-drama” privacy setup for most people
- Web & App Activity: Pause it, or enable Auto-delete with a short window
- Location History: Off (or Auto-delete), especially if you don’t use Timeline features
- YouTube History: Auto-delete if you use YouTube recommendations
- iPhone Location permission for Google: While Using the App (or Never), and disable Precise Location if not needed
- Delete past activity: clear “All time” once if you want a clean reset
Takeaway: aim for fewer switches, not perfect control
If you do just two things—set Auto-delete and tighten Location (both iPhone permission and Google Location History)—you’ll meaningfully reduce what the Google app can accumulate over time, while keeping search convenient.
When in doubt, change one setting, use the app for a day, then adjust.