Incognito mode launched for Google Maps: How to use it
What's the story
In a major move, Google is rolling out dedicated Incognito mode for Maps. The feature, just like Chrome's incognito, will let you browse through Maps without saving your activity in any way. So, in essence, you'd able to look for places or directions without leaving any traces behind. Here's all about the feature and the way to enable it.
Feature
Maps' Incognito mode won't link your activity with Google account
First announced at I/O 2019, the Incognito mode for Maps lets you use navigation services privately. Once you turn it on, anything done inside Maps, be it looking up for a restaurant/cafe or directions to that place, will not be saved to your Google account or used for offering personalized recommendations/notifications, like how it happens normally.
Use
Your personal data will not be used for customizing Maps
Along with keeping your navigational searches under the radar, Google Maps' Incognito mode will stay away from using your personal data, already stored in your Google account, for customizing Maps' results. Notably, the internet giant also says that your activity won't be used to update your Location History, which creates a location timeline on the basis of where you go with your phone.
Possibility
Still, there will be some room for tracking
While this will make looking up for places and navigating to them private, it is important to note that the feature doesn't rule out all forms of tracking. In a support document confirming the roll-out of the feature, Google has clearly noted that using this feature doesn't affect how your activity is used/saved by "internet providers, other apps, voice search, and other Google services."
Steps
So, how to turn on Incognito mode in Maps
As the feature has just started rolling out, it may take a few days to show up on your Android or iOS device. However, once it becomes available, you can go incognito by simply launching Google Maps, hitting your profile icon in the upper right and tapping on "Turn on Incognito mode". The same steps would have to be followed for turning it off.