Let’s be real  we all Google things we’d rather not keep a record of. Whether it’s a random health question, a late-night search for a weird recipe, or just your curiosity running wild  your Google activity remembers everything.

But here’s the good news: You can delete it. And not just hide it  you can permanently delete your activity from Google and other platforms.

In this guide, we’re going to walk through exactly how to wipe out your digital footprint  step by step  so you stay in control of your online privacy.

What Does "My Activity" Actually Include?

Before jumping into the deletion process, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with. "My Activity" includes everything Google tracks when you're logged into your account:

  • Search history (Google Search, YouTube, Maps, etc.)

  • Website visits (when using Chrome or other Google-connected apps)

  • Voice commands (like Google Assistant)

  • Location history (your movement tracked via mobile)

  • App usage (especially on Android)

Basically, if you’ve used a Google product while logged in  it’s likely recorded in My Activity.

Why Should You Delete Your Activity?

Some people don’t mind their history being saved. But others? They value privacy and like the idea of keeping a clean digital slate. Here's why you might want to delete your activity:

1. Privacy Protection

Google builds a profile based on your searches. If that idea creeps you out, deleting activity stops it from building a more detailed one.

2. Avoid Targeted Ads

Ever searched for shoes and suddenly every ad shows you sneakers? That’s targeted advertising based on your activity. Deleting history reduces that.

3. Clean Slate Vibes

Sometimes it’s just refreshing to wipe everything clean and start over  no questions asked.

How to Delete Your Google Activity Permanently

Alright, now let’s get into the good part: how to actually delete your activity. You can do it from your phone or computer, and there are two options  manually or automatically.

Delete Activity Manually (Step-by-Step)

On Mobile (Android or iPhone)

  1. Open Chrome or Google App
    Open the Google app or Chrome browser while logged into your Google account.

  2. Tap on Your Profile Icon
    You'll find this in the top-right corner.

  3. Go to “Search History” or “My Activity”
    This opens the Google activity dashboard.

  4. Tap on "Delete"
    You'll see a trash bin icon or an option to delete activity by:

  • Last hour

  • Last day

  • All time

  • Custom range

Choose “All Time” for Full Wipe
If you want to permanently delete everything, this is the option to pick.

Confirm the Deletion
Google will ask you to confirm. Tap “Delete” and you’re done.

 

On Desktop

  1. Go to myactivity.google.com
    Make sure you're logged into the Google account you want to clean up.

  2. Click on "Delete Activity by"
    You’ll find this in the left sidebar or under the “Delete” button.

  3. Choose “All Time”
    You can also select services (Search, YouTube, Maps, etc.) if you don’t want to delete everything.

  4. Confirm and Delete
    Click “Next” and follow the prompts to delete your activity permanently.

Set Google to Auto-Delete Your Activity

If you’d rather not have to do this manually every few weeks, good news: you can tell Google to automatically delete your activity.

Here’s How:

  1. Go to My Activity
    Visit myactivity.google.com.

  2. Click on “Activity Controls”
    You’ll see options like Web & App Activity, Location History, and YouTube History.

  3. Select Auto-Delete
    Click on “Auto-delete” under each section.

  4. Choose a Time Frame
    Options include:

  • After 3 months

  • After 18 months

  • After 36 months

Save Settings
Click confirm, and you’re good to go.

Want to Delete Other Kinds of Activity?

Google isn’t the only one tracking your online behavior. Here’s how to clean up activity in other key areas:

Delete Chrome Browsing History

Even if you delete your Google activity, Chrome might still keep a local record.

  1. Open Chrome
    On your desktop or mobile device.

  2. Go to History
    Press Ctrl+H (Windows) or Cmd+Y (Mac), or use the three-dot menu > History.

  3. Click “Clear Browsing Data”
    Choose time range: last hour, last 24 hours, all time, etc.

  4. Select What to Delete

  • Browsing history

  • Cookies and other site data

  • Cached images/files

Click “Clear Data”

That wipes your local device’s browser activity clean.

Delete YouTube Watch and Search History

  1. Open YouTube
    Make sure you’re signed in.

  2. Click on “History” in the sidebar.

  3. Choose “Clear All Watch History”
    You can also delete individual videos or clear search history separately.

Delete Location History

  1. Go to Google Maps Timeline
    This shows where you’ve been.

  2. Click on Settings (Gear Icon)

  3. Choose “Delete All Location History”

Can Deleted Activity Be Recovered?

Short answer: No  once you delete your Google activity, it's gone for good (unless you’ve backed it up or exported it using Google Takeout before deleting).

If privacy is your goal, this is exactly what you want.

Will Deleting Activity Log Me Out or Break Anything?

Not at all. Deleting your activity won’t log you out, delete your emails, or break your apps. It only removes records of what you searched, watched, clicked, or did while using Google services.

Also read: Clearing Google History? Here’s the Easiest Way to Do It Like a Pro

Final Thoughts

Let’s face it: In today’s world, your data is your identity. Every search, every app you use, every place you visit  it all tells a story. If you’re not okay with that story being stored forever, then taking a few minutes to delete your activity is a great move.

It’s not just about hiding your browsing habits. It’s about owning your digital footprint, protecting your privacy, and feeling a little more free every time you go online.

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to do this  just follow the steps, and you’re in control.