How to automatically delete Google’s Web & App Activity data

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ARTICLE – Google recently announced a new feature that allows users to automatically delete their web and app activity (CNET). You can choose from three options: β€œKeep until I delete manually”, β€œKeep for 18 months”, or β€œKeep for 3 months”. Once you go through the steps to automatically delete this data on one device, it will be set for all devices that are logged into that Google account.

Why might you want to delete this data? Because Google saves information about your searches, browsing, etc. when the Web & App Activity setting is turned on (Google support webpage):

  • Searches and other things you do on Google products and services, like Maps
  • Your location, language, IP address, referrer, and whether you use a browser or an app
  • Ads you click, or things you buy on an advertiser’s site
  • Information on your device like recent apps or contact names you searched for
  • Sites and apps you use
  • Your activity on sites and in apps that use Google services
  • Your Chrome browsing history
  • Note: Activity could be saved even when you’re offline

So, how do you delete your Web & App Activity automatically? Just follow the steps below for Android devices, PCs, and iOS devices. NOTE: all screenshots can be clicked on to view a larger image.

Android

To do this on an Android phone, you’ll need to go to your phone’s settings > β€œGoogle” > β€œGoogle Account” > β€œData & personalization” tab > β€œWeb & App Activity” > β€œManage Activity” link > (shown in the screenshots above)…

…”Choose to delete automatically” > make your selection and tap on the β€œNext” button (your preferences will be saved) > β€œConfirm” button > then tap on the β€œGot it” button to complete the steps.

PC

On a PC you would do the following: launch Chrome > log into your Google account > click on the vertical ellipsis in the upper right corner of Chrome (overflow menu) > β€œSettings” > (shown in the screenshots above)…

…”Manage Google Account” > β€œManage Your Data & Personalization” link >…

…”Web & App Activity” > β€œManage Activity” link >…

……”Choose to delete automatically” button) > make your selection and tap on the β€œNext” button >…

…”Confirm” button > and tap on the β€œGot it” button to finish.

iOS

You can even get to Web & App Activity settings through Gmail’s settings as illustrated in the following iOS steps.

To automatically delete your web and app activity data using Gmail on an iOS device you need to do the following: open your Gmail app > β€œMenu” > β€œSettings” > tap on your account > β€œManage your Google Account” > β€œManage your data & personalization” >…

…”Web & App Activity” > β€œManage Activity” link > β€œChoose to delete automatically” >…

…make your selection and tap on the β€œNext” button > β€œConfirm” button (your preferences will be saved) > tap on the β€œGot it” button to finish.

And if you don’t use Gmail, you can also use the Safari app on your iOS device and alter the Web & App Activity settings as shown in the following steps.

Tap on your Safari app > go to β€œgoogle.com” > log into your Google account > tap on your profile picture located in the upper right corner of the screen > β€œAccount settings” > β€œData & personalization” tab >…

…”Web & App Activity” > β€œManage activity” > β€œChoose to delete automatically” >…

…make your selection and tap on the β€œNext” button > β€œConfirm” button > and last, tap on the β€œGot it” button to finish.

I’m glad that Google is providing features like this so that people like me can have a little more control over their collected data!

5 thoughts on “How to automatically delete Google’s Web & App Activity data”




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  2. Most people dont even go through theyr device settings. I know people whoΒ΄s phones turn off every 3 mins because they simply cant manage to find howto change that. Those people will not know of this article because they are simply not interested enough to read about these things. Thats basicly 99 % of the users πŸ˜€

    1. Fred – Indeed, I know one of those people who doesn’t go into their phone settings much – namely my husband. He’s a very intelligent guy, but he doesn’t care about these kinds of things. And maybe most people don’t. However, I thought that for those who do care, like me, that they might like to know how to better control their information. Heck, even if this post helps the remaining 1% of the people, I’ll count it as a win! πŸ™‚

  3. Great How-To guide! You honestly never know who online is tracking and collecting your data. I appreciate Google for enabling its users to take power into their own hands.

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