Do you know your Android system retains your Google searches? Quite a few websites and providers can use that information to personalize adverts and different varieties of suggestions.
For some, that stage of personalization makes utilizing the platform simpler. However on this trendy period, the place corporations and websites can use that info to color a really explicit image about you and your internet utilization, that might be thought-about an invasion of privateness. This may be problematic should you by accident seek for the unsuitable factor, solely to then discover the associated adverts to fall underneath 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 need to see. For many who worth privateness, you will need to 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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Easy methods to 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 Professional working Android 14 with the newest safety patch utilized.
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This course of ought to work the identical on most trendy Android gadgets. If, nonetheless, you discover the directions do not apply to your system, it would take a little bit of analysis to find the way it’s completed 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 working 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 achieve entry to the Delete drop-down, you must confirm it is you. To do this, faucet the Confirm button and you will be prompted for both your PIN, sample, password, fingerprint, or face scan (relying on how you’ve Android configured for the unlocking course of).
After a profitable verification, you must then see a Delete drop-down.
As soon as you have verified it is you, the Delete drop-down will change into out there. Choose the timeframe for which you need to delete (Delete At this time, “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’s going to simply occur. As soon as deleted, that cache is gone.
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From this similar window, you may undergo your historical past and delete particular searches.
You will need to first confirm it is you earlier than persevering with.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Auto-deletion setup
If you happen to desire to have issues completed 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 guide 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 caring for the method.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
You’ll be able to select from three, 18, or 36 months. As soon as you have made your choice, faucet Subsequent after which faucet Verify to complete the setup.
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And that is all there’s to deleting your Google search cache (both manually or routinely). If you happen to’re involved about your on-line privateness, think about this a must-do. And bear in mind, since you may solely set auto-delete for no less than three months, you may need to usually return to the display and manually delete your cache (to maintain your Android system from saving cached gadgets that aren’t greater than three months outdated).
