It’s easier than ever to disable location sharing on your Android phone

Privacy is a growing concern, especially regarding location tracking. Google has taken steps to improve your control over location sharing on your Android, making it easier for you to manage who can see where you are. Let’s dive into this new feature that Google is rolling out and how you can use it effectively. (iPhone users, follow these tips)

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New toggle for location sharing

Google introduced a new “Google Location Sharing” switch that is now integrated directly into Android settings. This update eliminates the need to navigate through Google Maps to manage your location sharing settings. The new feature is part of the latest updates to Google Play Services and is designed to simplify and improve your control over location sharing.

What does location sharing mean?

Before you turn these off, let’s take a moment to understand why you might want to turn them on and what happens when you turn them off.

Imagine this: you’re meeting a friend in a busy city, and instead of sending a dozen messages back and forth, they can simply see your real-time location on Google Maps. That’s the power of location sharing. It lets you share your exact position with specific contacts, along with useful details like your device’s battery level or estimated time of arrival if you’re using navigation.

But when location sharing is turned off, your movements remain private. No one can track your whereabouts, and your personal information is better protected from potential misuse. Apps and services lose access to your location data, which not only increases your privacy, but can also save battery life by reducing background tracking.

So before you decide, think about what best suits your needs: staying connected or staying private.

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Supported devices and software

The feature is primarily available on Android smartphones, including popular models from brands such as the Google Pixel series (eg Pixel 6, Pixel 7), the Samsung Galaxy series (eg Galaxy S21, Galaxy S23) and other manufacturers that are in or close to stock -stock versions of Android. Certain Android tablets that support the latest versions of the operating system may also have access to this feature. The location sharing switch is part of the recent Android OS updates, especially through Google Play services. You should ensure that your devices have at least Android 12 or higher to access this feature effectively.

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How to update the latest software on your device

Ready to upgrade? Here’s how to do it, but first back up your device data (just in case):

WITHthe settings may differ depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

• Go to settings
• Click rustling
• Touch Software updates
• Then click System update
• If available, tap Download and install
• Wait download to complete and your reboot device

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How to disable location sharing on Android

WITHthe settings may differ depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

• Open it settings app on your phone
• Scroll down and click Place
• Turn off where it says Use location so it turns gray. This will disable location sharing on your Android.

Benefits of improved location control

1) Improved privacy management

This new feature not only simplifies turning off location sharing, but also improves privacy management by providing transparency about who can track you. Now you can feel more secure knowing that you are in control of the information you share, which is especially useful in situations where privacy is paramount.

2) Easier communication with reliable contacts

Location sharing can be very useful for coordinating meetings, ensuring safety while traveling, or simply letting loved ones know you’ve arrived safely. Now we’ve shown you how to disable location sharing, but here’s how you can share your real-time location with trusted contacts using Google Maps when Use location is included.

• Run it Google Maps app on your Android device
• Tap yours profile picture or initials in the upper right corner
• Then choose Location sharing

• Touch Share location, or so it might say New stock
• Decide how long you want to share your location (options range from 15 minutes to “Until you turn this off”)
• Choose contacts with whom you want to share your location from the list. If they don’t appear, tap More find them.
• If you’re sharing with someone who doesn’t have a Google Account, tap Copy to clipboard and paste the link in a text message or email.
• Touch Share to send your location

Remember that people you share your location with can always see:

• Your name and photo
• The recent location of your device, even when you’re not using a Google service
• Your device’s battery level and whether it’s charging
• Your arrival and departure times, if they add a location sharing notification

I may see other information depending on how you share. Learn more about Location sharing.

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Kurt’s outdoor essentials

Google’s new “Google Location Sharing” toggle, now integrated into Android Settings, simplifies and improves your control over location sharing. With this feature, Google strikes a balance between convenience and robust privacy management, making it a welcome improvement for Android users.

Have you ever had a situation where turning location sharing on or off was crucial? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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