Manage your Android device’s location settings

You can use location-based services such as local search results, commute predictions, and nearby restaurants based on your device's location, when device location is on in settings.

Important:

  • These steps also work on Fitbit Ace LTE.
  • If you have a tablet or device that more than one person uses, each person can have different location access settings.

Understand the location settings available on your device

Important: When the location setting is off for your device, apps and services can't get your device's location. You can still get local results and ads based on your IP address.

Google has location-based services, including:

Tip: Apps have their own permission settings. Learn how to manage location permissions for apps

Turn location on or off for your device

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Tap Location .
  3. Turn Use location on or off.

Tip: To add the "Location," toggle to your Quick Settings menu:

  1. From the top of your screen, swipe down twice.
  2. Tap Edit .
  3. Drag Location into your Quick Settings.

Help your device get a more accurate location (Location Accuracy, also known as Google Location Services)

Important: Not all devices have wireless signals, GPS, or device sensor data. Location Accuracy uses available signals to estimate location.

To improve device location, Android devices with Google Play services have a Location Accuracy service that uses information from wireless signals, such as Wi-Fi access points, cellular network towers, and GPS, along with device sensor data, such as accelerometer and gyroscope, to allow your device to more quickly and accurately estimate device location, particularly in areas where GPS may be unavailable or obscured, such as indoors or near large buildings. Learn more about Google Play services.

When Location Accuracy is on, Google periodically collects information about sensors and wireless signals near you to contribute to crowdsourced wireless signal locations, using randomly-assigned, temporary, rotating identifiers that aren't associated with a specific person or account. These identifiers automatically and regularly change. These measures prevent you from being identified from the collected data. Learn more about processing of Location Accuracy data.

Tip: The Location Accuracy service is also available on Fitbit Ace LTE.

Turn your device's location accuracy on or off

Android 12 and higher and Fitbit Ace LTE

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Tap Location and then Location Services and then Location Accuracy.
  3. Turn Improve Location Accuracy on or off.

Android 11 and lower

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Tap Location and then Advanced and then Location Accuracy.
  3. Turn Improve Location Accuracy on or off.

Important:

  • For Android 12 and higher, you can separately manage each app’s precise location permission. This is different from Location Accuracy, which is a location setting for your device that allows the use of more sources for the most accurate location. When Location Accuracy is on, you can grant an app only approximate location permission if you don't want to allow it access to your device’s precise location. If you turn off Location Accuracy, apps may not be able to get your device’s precise location. Learn how to choose which apps use your Android device’s location.
  • Some devices, like Wi-Fi-only tablets, do not have GPS or emergency location services available.

Set up Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning

To help apps get better location info, you can let your device scan for nearby Wi-Fi access points or Bluetooth devices.

Android 12 and higher

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Tap Location  and then Location Services.
  3. Turn Wi-Fi scanning or Bluetooth scanning on or off.

Android 11 and lower

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Tap Location and then Wi-Fi scanning or Bluetooth scanning
  3. Turn Wi-Fi scanning or Bluetooth scanning on or off.

If you use an older Android version

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Get to know your Android phone

Learn how to use your Android device and get the most out of Google. Get step-by-step guides and instructional videos on how to set up your phone, customize your settings, and use apps.

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