Google's Incognito mode for Maps is rolling out on Android this month

Google is introducing several new privacy features for its products, including an Incognito mode for Google Maps on Android and iOS.
 By 
Stan Schroeder
 on 
Google's Incognito mode for Maps is rolling out on Android this month
More privacy in Maps is a good thing. Credit: NurPhoto / getty images

Hey spies (and everyone else who wants to keep their privacy reasonably intact), good news: You will soon be able to use Google Maps on your phone in Incognito mode.

Google originally announced the feature during the Google I/O 2019 conference in May, and started testing it earlier this month.

This month, however, the feature will finally launch.

Incognito mode in Maps means that your activity on the phone won't be saved to your Google Account or used to personalize Maps for you.

Turning on Incognito mode is done by tapping your profile photo in the upper right corner of Maps and hitting "Turn on incognito mode." After you've done that, your profile photo will turn into a little spy icon and Maps will display a black bar on top, indicating that Incognito mode is on.

The feature is rolling out to Android users this month. Support for iOS is coming "soon," Google says.

In an announcement on its blog, Google also mentioned a few new privacy-oriented features, including the option to auto-delete your YouTube history.

Another interesting new feature is a new way of managing your history with Google Assistant. Starting next week with the English version of Assistant (other languages are coming next month), you'll be able to say something like, "Hey Google, delete everything I said to you last week," and Assistant will comply. No software update is needed as this feature will roll out automatically.

Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Waze gets motorbike mode, personalised nav, and 'less chatty' mode
A phone shows the new Waze 'chatty mode' on a purple background.

Apple Maps ads are live. Here's what they look like
The buttons of the travel app Apple Maps

Keep up the pace with Spotify's Running Mode, now creating custom running playlists
A Spotify run playlist

Google Assistant to shut down on Android, Wear OS next month
Google logo in front of Assistant logo

Looking for an off switch? Apple offers no way to remove ads from Maps
Man hand holding iPhone 11 with Apple map on the screen. iPhone was created and developed by the Apple inc.

More in Tech
How to watch 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day': Streaming details, Netflix deals, and more
Spider-Man rescuing a person in 'Brand New Day' movie

How to watch India vs. Uruguay online for free
Manvir Singh of India

How to watch France vs. Belgium online for free
Coach Zinedine Zidane of France

How to watch Italy vs. Turkey online for free
Michael Kayode of Italy celebrates

How to watch Broncos vs. 49ers in the NFL online for free
Brock Purdy makes a pass for the 49ers

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 5, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 6, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 6, 2026
NYT Connections logo.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 6, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 5, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone