You can control how Google saves your search and activity history by managing your Web & App Activity settings, including using features like auto-delete. "Hiding" history typically means preventing it from being saved, deleting existing records, or using private browsing modes.
Understanding Google Web & App Activity
Google saves your searches, browsing history, and other activity across Google services (like Maps, YouTube, Google Play) to personalize your experience. This data is stored in your Google Account under Web & App Activity. While you cannot make this history invisible to Google (as it's stored in your account), you can control whether it's saved, how long it's kept, and delete existing records.
Managing Your Google History on Android
Based on the provided reference, here's how to access the controls to manage your history, specifically focusing on the auto-delete feature:
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google app.
- At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initial.
- Tap Search history. This takes you to your activity controls.
- On the "Web & App Activity" page, find the "Auto-delete (Off)" or "Auto-delete (On)" card. Tap the option displayed there.
- Choose an auto-delete option. You can select to automatically delete activity older than 3, 18, or 36 months.
- Tap Next to confirm your choice. Follow any further on-screen prompts.
Once set, Google will automatically delete activity older than your chosen time frame from your account on a rolling basis.
Other Ways to Control Your Google History
Beyond auto-delete, the Web & App Activity controls page allows for further management:
- Turn Off Activity Saving: You can pause the saving of Web & App Activity entirely. When this is off, your future searches and activity won't be saved to your account.
- Manually Delete History: You can manually delete specific items, activity from a particular day or time range, or all your past Web & App Activity. Look for options like "Delete activity by," "Delete results," or "Delete activity by date."
Browsing Privately with Incognito Mode
For temporary "hiding" of browsing activity from your device and local browser history, you can use your browser's Incognito mode (or equivalent private browsing mode).
- When you use Incognito mode in Chrome, for example, your browsing history, cookies, site data, and information entered in forms are not saved on your device after you close all Incognito windows.
- Important: Incognito mode does not hide your activity from websites you visit, your employer or school, or your internet service provider. It also doesn't affect Google's saving of activity if you are signed into your Google account and Web & App Activity is turned on.
Comparison of History Control Methods
Here's a quick overview of different ways to manage your Google history:
| Method | What it Does | Where it's Controlled | Impact on History Saved to Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn Off Activity | Stops future activity from being saved to your account. | Web & App Activity controls | Prevents new saving |
| Auto-Delete Activity | Automatically deletes activity older than a set time frame (3, 18, 36 mos). | Web & App Activity controls | Deletes old activity automatically |
| Manually Delete Activity | Permanently removes selected past activity from your account. | Web & App Activity controls | Deletes selected history |
| Incognito Mode (Browser) | Prevents browser history from being saved locally on your device. | Browser settings | Does not stop saving to account if signed in |
By using a combination of these methods, you can effectively control what Google saves about your activity.
