Google Maps keeps a record of everywhere you search for, and you can delete it whenever you want
Every time you search for a restaurant, gas station, or address in Google Maps, that search gets saved to your Google account. This history makes Maps faster — it remembers where you go and suggests places you might want to revisit. But if you share your device, or if you straightforward don't want Google storing a record of your movements and interests, you can delete this history in a few steps. You can erase everything at once, or remove individual searches.
The process is the same whether you use Maps on your phone, tablet, or computer. You'll need to be signed into the Google account where the history is stored.
Key Takeaways
- Google Maps saves every search you make, and this history is tied to your Google account, not your device.
- You can delete all your Maps search history at once, or remove individual searches one by one.
- Deleting search history does not erase the places you've visited — only the record of what you searched for.
- If you want to prevent future searches from being saved, you can turn off Maps activity tracking in your Google account settings.
How to delete all your Maps search history at once
The fastest way to clear everything is through your Google account settings. Open Google Maps on any device and tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu.
Look for "Maps history" or "Your places" — the exact wording varies slightly by device. Tap or click it, then select "Delete all" or "Clear all history". Google will ask you to confirm. Once you do, all your search history is gone. This usually takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to disappear from all your devices.
How to delete individual searches from your history
If you only want to remove certain searches, you can do that too. In Google Maps, tap or click the profile icon and go to "Settings", then "Maps history" or "Your places".
You'll see a list of your recent searches. Find the one you want to remove and tap or click the X or trash icon next to it. Some versions of Maps show a small menu when you long-press or right-click a search — select "Delete" from that menu. Repeat for each search you want to remove.
Deleting history on your phone versus on the web
On Android and iPhone, the process is nearly identical. Open Maps, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then find your history. The buttons and menu names are the same across both phones.
On a computer, you can also delete history by visiting myactivity.google.com while signed into your Google account. This page shows all your activity across Google services, including Maps searches. You can filter to show only Maps activity, then delete searches from there. Some people find this method easier because you can see a larger list at once and delete multiple items faster.
The difference between deleting history and turning off activity tracking
Deleting your history removes what you've already searched for. Turning off activity tracking prevents Google from saving future searches. These are two separate things.
To turn off tracking, go to your Google account settings (not Maps settings). Visit myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy" on the left, then find "Web & App Activity". Toggle this off. When it's off, new Maps searches won't be saved — but old searches will remain until you delete them separately. Turning this off also affects other Google services like Search and YouTube.
What happens to your location history when you delete search history
Deleting your Maps search history does not delete your location history. These are stored separately. Location history is the record of where your device has physically been — it's created when you use Maps for navigation or when you have location services turned on. Search history is just what you typed into the search box.
If you want to delete location history as well, you'll need to do that separately in your Google account settings under "Data & privacy", then "Location history". You can delete all of it or remove specific dates and places.
Why Google saves your Maps history
Google saves your search history to make Maps work better for you. It learns which types of places you search for most often, so it can suggest them faster next time. It also uses this data to improve Maps' search results and recommendations for all users.
If you share a device with family members or roommates, each person's history is separate as long as you each have your own Google account. If someone else is signed into your account on a shared device, their searches will appear in your history. The safest approach is to have each person use their own account, or to delete history regularly if that's not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting my search history delete my saved places?
No. Your saved places (the ones you've starred or added to lists) are stored separately from your search history. Deleting search history will not affect them. If you want to remove a saved place, you have to delete it individually from your "Saved" tab in Maps.
Can I delete Maps history from a specific date?
Through the Maps app itself, you can only delete all history or individual searches. If you want to delete everything from a specific date range, use myactivity.google.com. Sign in, filter to show only Maps activity, and use the date range tool to select the dates you want to remove.
If I delete my search history, will my maps still work?
Yes. Deleting history does not affect how Maps functions. You can still search for places, get directions, and use all features normally. The only difference is that Maps won't remember your past searches or use them to make suggestions.
What if I want to keep some searches but delete others?
Delete them one at a time from your history list in Maps settings, or use myactivity.google.com to see a larger list and select multiple searches to delete at once. There's no way to keep certain searches while deleting others in bulk.