Every time I have a new Android to analyze, I adjust the same settings as on my daily phone: in addition to keeping the same list of applications, I configure two minutes of active screen, I limit the background , I disable system services as much as possible and I usually ask myself a key question. Because should I leave logging into activities or avoid saving locations to my Google account?
Android includes many settings out of the box, and then some brands add their own settings to their layer. Among everything the system shares, location history walks the line between usefulness and waste: on the one hand, it helps maintain security, on the other. represents a significant consumption of battery and data; Not to mention privacy, since it permanently records our location. This is why it is worth considering disabling it.
Deleting location history saves a lot of battery
Google Maps timeline with location history data
All Android phones offer to turn off location history during initial setup. By default it stays on, it is one of the great allies for finding the device if it is lost or stolen: The phone permanently records our precise location in the Google account. It accesses GPS, captures coordinates and uploads them to Google servers using mobile data. Constantly like that, as if it were a vampire functioning without us realizing it.
If you’ve never accessed your Google account’s location history (or Google Maps timeline), you might be surprised by how accurate this record is: you can find it by clicking on this link. It allows you to go back at any time to know where you were. Precisely, you can draw a line across your entire daily route (actually Google does it). Besides the obvious privacy implications, this also has an impact on your smartphone’s battery.
Since multiple Android devices are active at the same time, Google usually notifies me more than once that several are uploading data to the Google Maps timeline; which can lead to duplication issues. And that’s when I consider take it away from everyone, This way I save a lot more battery and in doing so I avoid constantly tracking my location.
By default, your Android constantly captures your location and uploads it to your Google account to record your every move. This represents a significant consumption on the battery.
Constant location detection using GPS (it can be changed to approximate position from phone settings) has a direct impact on battery, as geolocation is one of the most expensive phone functions. Add to this the constant uploading of data to servers, ultimately additional consumption can represent between 2 and 5% of the total. It’s not much, but it adds up. And there is another point to make.
Location history disabled
The person responsible for keeping the activity log active and uploading the locations to the servers is Google Play Services, a key function of the system that tends to consume more than necessary when, precisely, background positioning remains blocked. Because it won’t be the first time I enjoy a high battery consumption by Google Play services to the detriment of activity: This is usually a near-deadly pairing for background consumption. Deactivating the timeline therefore has a double impact: it limits the activity of Play services and prevents the activation of GPS; with savings on mobile data (which also involves consumption).
Yes, deactivating the Google Maps timeline saves battery, it’s more than proven. The problem is that with this deactivation one of the phone’s security systems is lost: we can no longer find it remotely. You have to weigh each side of the scale, which is exactly what I have to do constantly.
Have you decided to turn off the timeline? So you can do it
Before you begin, remember that turning off location history You will lose the ability to know where your phone is if it is lost or stolen. If you still decide to do it, you must follow the following steps:
- Open the Google Maps application and click on your avatar at the top right.
- Select “Your Timeline”.
- At the top right you will see that a “History is in progress“. Click here and select your account.
- Scroll to “Location History» and turn it off.
You can choose whether or not to delete location history from your Google account. My advice is not to delete it, as you may have to go back in time to find out where you were on a specific day. However, if you are concerned about your privacy, you can choose complete deletion.
Once you turn off a phone’s location history, you won’t automatically upload location to any: Google will turn off timeline completely
If you turn off location history for one device, Google will turn off Timeline for everyone: It is a function that synchronizes with your account. This will save battery life; a saving that is worth adding to other settings, such as stopping background applications, reducing animations or using battery saving modes.
Cover image | Modified mid-term
In Xataka Android | Two hidden settings on your Android with which you will save battery and mobile data
