Do you know your Android device retains your Google searches? Quite a few websites and companies can use that information to personalize advertisements and different varieties of suggestions.
For some, that degree of personalization makes utilizing the platform simpler. However on this fashionable period, the place corporations and websites can use that info to color a really explicit image about you and your internet utilization, that could possibly be thought of an invasion of privateness. This may be problematic in case you by accident seek for the mistaken factor, solely to then discover the associated advertisements to fall beneath the class of, “Why am I seeing this?” I’ve witnessed different individuals’s eyes go extensive when an add pops up on their telephones they both should not or did not wish to see. For many who worth privateness, it is very important reclaim management over how a lot of a browser’s search historical past is saved and when it is deleted.
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I’ll stroll you thru the method of each — manually deleting that search cache and configuring Android to auto-delete saved information.
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manually clear the Google search cache
What you will want: To do that, you will want an Android system that’s linked to your Google account. I will be demonstrating on a Pixel 6 Pro operating Android 14 with the latest safety patch utilized.
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This course of ought to work the identical on most fashionable Android gadgets. If, nevertheless, you discover the directions do not apply to your system, it’d take a little bit of analysis to find the way it’s executed on an older model of Android.
Let’s get to work.
Out of your Android App Drawer, open the Google app. Within the ensuing window, faucet your profile picture on the top-right nook.
The Google app operating on a Pixel 6 Professional.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
From the ensuing menu, faucet Search historical past.
The Google app menu makes it simple to shortly delete the final quarter-hour of your search historical past.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Earlier than you may acquire entry to the Delete drop-down, you need to confirm it is you. To try this, faucet the Confirm button and you will be prompted for both your PIN, sample, password, fingerprint, or face scan (relying on how you could have Android configured for the unlocking course of).
After a profitable verification, it’s best to then see a Delete drop-down.
As soon as you’ve got verified it is you, the Delete drop-down will change into accessible. Choose the time-frame for which you wish to delete (Delete Right this moment, “Delete customized vary,” “Delete all time,” or “Auto-delete.”) and Android will empty the cache for that specified vary. You’ll not be prompted to okay the deletion, it should simply occur. As soon as deleted, that cache is gone.
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From this identical window, you may undergo your historical past and delete particular searches.
You have to first confirm it is you earlier than persevering with.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Auto-deletion setup
In the event you choose to have issues executed automagically, Google has made it potential to set the cache to be auto-deleted. To do that, return to the identical place you ran the handbook deletion and faucet the Auto-delete (Off) entry. Within the ensuing window, faucet to allow Auto-delete exercise older than after which, from the drop-down, choose the date vary to be deleted.
Enabling auto-delete so you do not have to fret about manually taking good care of the method.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
You’ll be able to select from three, 18, or 36 months. As soon as you’ve got made your choice, faucet Subsequent after which faucet Affirm to complete the setup.
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And that is all there’s to deleting your Google search cache (both manually or robotically). In the event you’re involved about your on-line privateness, take into account this a must-do. And bear in mind, since you may solely set auto-delete for no less than three months, you may wish to usually return to the display screen and manually delete your cache (to maintain your Android system from saving cached objects that aren’t greater than three months outdated).
