Today, the functions of street maps have been replaced by Google Maps multimedia maps that offer numerous integrated services and functions. All routes and maps in Maps can be viewed and deleted by accessing Google Maps History. In this article, we will go over the features and in the final part, how you will be able to delete location history from Maps.
The functions of Google Maps
By using Google Maps it is possible to carry out hundreds of actions and, if you are a local guide, you will surely have left a lot of information and many reviews on Google My Business, so in your case the history in the search engine will be really full of information.
Voice searches
This feature is especially useful when driving, as it allows us to concentrate on the road we are traveling on without having to use our hands, busy behind the wheel.
In addition, through it, we can search for information about our route, about the traffic state, about the presence of a hotel or restaurant near us or about gas stations.
Voice search also makes it easier for us to make calls and send messages, since Google Maps is able to connect with all the other applications on the phone.
Offline use of Google Maps
When saving a map to your device, selecting » Download " and later " Download offline » from Settings, you can check maps even during times when the connection is slow or absent.
In addition, this feature allows us to save on our data traffic.
Offline maps can also be transferred to a MicroSD and updated, continuing to receive suggestions and warnings, even if they are not absolutely reliable as in the online version.
Distance measurement between 2 points
A useful feature for those who need to calculate travel times and how much fuel is needed to reach a destination.
All this is possible thanks to the option “ measure distance ".
Viewing exterior and interior maps
It is possible to view maps of external places but also of internal places such as shops and hotels thanks to the upload of photos of users who, before us, have visited those same places.
It is also possible to consult plans of shopping centers or airports, zooming in as we wish.
Using the Street View Feature
As with the function relating to the display of internal maps, Google continues to give us the possibility of seeing, through Street View: streets, museums, famous places, restaurants, etc.
Through its 3D Maps we can travel many itineraries as if we were really in the same place.
Information on train schedules and commuter services
It will no longer be necessary to open the browser to search for a train schedule: the Google Maps function for travelers allows us to do so with a simple click on the train, metro and bus stops.
Google Maps can also give us information about any inefficiencies and also point out changes in schedules on holidays.
Hotel reservation
This service allows us to save time by avoiding searches in the browser and on the different hotel reservation platforms.
Simply click on a nearby hotel marked on Google Maps and a screen will open with a list of all the hotel booking platforms where room prices are reported.
In addition, you can see user reviews, useful to influence our choice.
Share location and travel information
Very useful for those who need to share their location. Simply select the location where you are or will be, select “Share” and send the link to colleagues, friends or family via our phone's messaging services.
View and delete history
As we have seen, Google Maps saves detailed history of routes and places visited, both in online and offline mode.
Many people, however, for various reasons, do not want to maintain some or all of the timelines, as they feel that their privacy is undermined or they are constantly followed.
How to delete location history from Maps
Google gives us the possibility of being able to view and possibly delete the Google Maps History by following a few steps, accessing the Location History, in which all positions are recorded, at intervals of 1 hour.
All our movements are analyzed by the “Position Report” linked to each Google account to which you have access, and to which the history refers.
The history can be viewed through our device, by accessing Google settings from the application, or through the Internet address https://maps.google.com/locationhistory .
These are the steps to follow to view and disable location history
- From the Maps app on your device, click your profile photo and then Settings
- Click Map History. This step is valid for Android 4.3 and earlier.
For Android 4.4 and later, you need to click Location, then Location Service, again Google Location Reports, and finally Location History. - At this point, moving to OFF will disable history, but it will not be deleted and will still be available to Google.
To permanently delete Google Maps history, you need to go back once and select Delete Location History.
You can choose to delete the entire history or just the history interval, selecting individual routes chosen from different possibilities:
- Delete all history
- Delete by date (choose a single day or a single period
- Delete individual locations (by selecting them from maps or from the list)
These steps stop location tracking until we decide to turn it back on.
However, please note that deactivation implies the non-functioning of functions and services that could be useful to us, as specified in this publication.
