Manage your Android devices location settingsYou can use location-based services such as getting better local search results, like commute predictions and nearby restaurants based on your phones location, when you turn location on in settings.
Important: Show
Understand the location settings available on your phoneImportant: When you turn off location on your phone, apps and services can't get your phones location. You can still get local results and ads based on your IP address. Google has a list of location-based services, including:
Tip: Apps have their own settings.Learn how to manage app location settings. Turn location on or off for your phone
When Location is on
When Location is off
Help your phoneget a more accurate location (Google Location Services a.k.a. Google Location Accuracy)Turn your phones location accuracy on or offAndroid 12 &higher
Android 11 & lower
When Google Location Accuracy is on
When you have Google Location Accuracy turned on, your phone uses these sources to get the most accurate location:
Google may collect location data periodically and use this data in an anonymous way to improve location accuracy and location-based services. When Google Location Accuracy is off
When you turn off Google Location Accuracy, your phone uses GPS and sensors, like accelerometer, to determine location. GPS can be slower and less accurate than other sources. When Google Location Accuracy is off, GPS, Wi-Fi, network, and sensor data are not used or collected by Google Location Accuracy. For Android 12 and higher, you can manage each apps permission to access precise location. This is different from Google Location Accuracy, which is a location setting for your device that allows your phone to use more sources for the most accurate location. Even with Google Location Accuracy on, you can grant an app only approximate location permission if you don't want to allow it access to your devices precise location. If you turn off Google Location Accuracy, apps may not be able to get your devices precise location. Learn how to manage app location permissions.Set up Wi-Fi & Bluetooth scanningTo help apps get better location info, you can let your phone scan for nearby Wi-Fi access points or Bluetooth devices. Android 12 & higher
Android 11 &lower
Send your location in an emergencyTo help first responders find you quickly, your phones location can be sent when you dial or text an emergency number. For example, dialing 911 in the US or 112 in Europe. If Android Emergency Location Service (ELS) works in your country and on your mobile network, and you haven't turned off ELS, your phone will automatically send its location to first responders using ELS. If ELS is off, your mobile carrier may still send the device's location during an emergency call or text. Turn Android Emergency Location Service on or offYou can turn Emergency Location Service on or off at any time. Android 12 &higher
Android 11 &lower
Tip: Learn how to get help in an emergency.
How Emergency Location Service worksELS is only activated when you call or text a local emergency number. During your emergency call, ELS may use Google Location Accuracy and other information to get the most accurate location possible for the device. Your phone sends its location to authorized emergency partners for the purpose of helping emergency services locate you. Your location is sent directly from your phone to emergency partners. After a completed emergency call or text during which ELS was active, your phone may send deidentified usage and analytics data to Google for the purpose of analyzing how well ELS works. This information doesnt include the location sent to authorized emergency partners, and doesn't identify you. Tip: When ELS sends your location to authorized emergency partners, its different from when you share location via Google Maps. Learn about Location Sharing with Google Maps.
If you use an older Android versionChoose location settings (Android 9.0)To change location settings:
Then, choose an option:
You can control what location information your phonecan use.
Tip: If you have a tablet that more than one person uses, each person can have different location access settings. |