The incognito mode of Google Maps is interesting for several reasons. First of all, it allows you to navigate the application without your searches and locations being saved in Google history. This is especially useful if you’re planning a surprise or just don’t want it to be known where you’ve been. In addition, the recommendations of places and routes that Google Maps offers you will not be influenced by your previous search history, so you can discover new options that you may not have considered before.
Disabled Features
When you turn on incognito mode, some features of the app will be disabled to prevent your data from being saved. These features include commuting, location tracking, location history and the ability to share your location with other users.
Also, also notifications will be disabled and messages, search history, and autocomplete suggestions. If you regularly contribute information to Google Maps, such as photos, reviews, or location corrections, these features will also be disabled in Incognito mode. On the other hand, the functions of voice navigation are also affected. The Google Assistant microphone in navigation will no longer be available, but you will still be able to use the command “ok google» to search. If you usually use offline maps or if you have saved your favorite places in the app, these features will not be available either.
It is important to note that by enabling Incognito mode on Google Maps, you will also be will stop the location history of your entire device, not just from the app. This means that your privacy will be protected in other services and applications that also use your location, such as weather or social networks.
How is it activated and deactivated?
Another interesting aspect of incognito mode is that you can turn it on and off at any time, which means you can choose when you want your searches and locations to be logged, and when you want to keep them private. Turning Incognito mode on and off on Google Maps is very easy and only requires a few steps. If you want to keep your searches and locations private, follow these steps to Activate Incognito mode:
- Open the Google Maps app.
- In the upper right corner of the screen, you will see your profile picture. Click on it to access the account settings.
- In the menu that is displayed, you will see the option «Activate incognito mode«.
Once you have activated the mode, you will be able to navigate the application without saving your searches and locations in the Google history. For turn it off and use all Maps features again, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Maps app.
- In the upper right corner of the screen, click on your profile picture to access your account settings.
- In the menu, you will see the option «Turn off incognito mode«.
It’s important to note that if you want to maintain your privacy, make sure you turn on Incognito mode every time you use the Maps app.
Does not hide your activity on the internet
Incognito mode on Google Maps provides some level of privacy to the user, as no searches, location history, or auto-complete suggestions will be displayed while in this mode.
However, it is important to note that it is not a complete solution for online privacy. Although the information is not stored in the Google account, Internet service providers can still track activity online and other applications installed on the device can also access the information.
Websites and apps used by Google Maps may also be able to see the information you enter in forms, as this information isn’t protected by Incognito mode. Therefore, if you want complete privacy, it is recommended to use a private virtual network (VPN) and other additional security measures to protect personal information. In addition, it is recommended to review and adjust the privacy settings of the Google account and the applications that are used to obtain the best possible protection of personal information.