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How to Delete Facebook Location History

Introduction

Enabling Facebook’s location history feature means that you can tag your posts with your location, get ads based on where you’re at, find nearby restaurants and other locations more easily, and more. But the tradeoff for this is that Facebook stores all of the data it collects about you, even at times when you’re not using your device. If you don’t like the idea of Facebook having all of this data, you can either delete all of your Facebook location history, or just a single day. In this article I’ll show you how to delete your Facebook location history on an iPhone, iPad and Android device, and also on the Facebook.com website. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in the YouTube video below.

YouTube player
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Steps to Delete Your Facebook Location History on iPhone, iPad or Android

  1. Tap “Menu” on your Facebook home screen to open the Menu screen. Scroll down to the bottom of this screen, tap to expand “Settings and Privacy,” and then tap “Settings” in this list of options. The Settings screen is displayed.
  2. Scroll down to the Privacy section, and then tap “Location.” The Location Settings screen is shown.
  3. Tap “View Your Location History.” If you’re using an Android device, you may have to tap “Location History” and then “View Location History.” The Location History View screen is displayed.
  4. Tap the ellipses at the top of the screen to open a menu. Tap either “Delete This Day” or “Delete All Location History.” A prompt asking if you’re sure you want to delete either your Facebook location information for this day or all of your location history is displayed. Tap to delete your location information. Your location information will be removed automatically.

Steps to Delete Your Facebook Location History on Facebook.com

  1. Navigate to Facebook.com in your web browser, and then click the drop-down arrow at the top of the screen to open a menu. Click “Settings and Privacy” in the menu. The Settings and Privacy menu is displayed.
  2. Click “Settings” in the menu. The Settings screen is shown.
  3. Click “Location” in the menu on the left side of the screen. The Location Settings window appears on the right side of the screen.
  4. Click “View Location History.” The Location History View screen is displayed.
  5. Click the ellipses at the top of the screen. You should note that if you don’t have Facebook Location History turned on you won’t see the ellipses. A menu is shown. Click either “Delete This Day” or “Delete All Location History.” A prompt asking if you’re sure you want to delete either your Facebook location information for this day or all of your location history is displayed. Click to delete your location information. Your location information will be removed automatically.

5 Reasons to Delete Your Location History on Facebook

1. Privacy Concerns

Deleting your Facebook location history enhances your privacy. When your location data isn’t stored, it’s harder for anyone to track your movements. This is especially important in a world where data breaches are common. Even if Facebook itself has robust security measures, the less data you leave stored, the better. Remember, location tracking can reveal sensitive places you visit, like doctor’s offices or personal hangouts. By clearing this data, you’re taking a proactive step in safeguarding your personal life from marketers, potential hackers, and even curious acquaintances.

2. Reduce Targeted Advertising

If you’re tired of seeing ads that feel a little too tailored, deleting your location history on Facebook might help. Advertisers use location data to understand your habits and preferences. This enables them to target ads that match your frequent locations and activities. While some may appreciate location-based suggestions, others might find this intrusive. By removing your location history, you reduce the information available for targeted advertising, thus potentially decreasing the number of personalized ads you encounter. This can lead to a cleaner, less personalized browsing experience on the platform.

3. Better Control Over Personal Data

Taking charge of your location history allows you to control your digital footprint. In today’s digital age, controlling the information you share online is crucial. By deleting your location history, you’re choosing what details to share and what to keep private. It’s a significant step toward managing your online presence. This control can be empowering, particularly if you are cautious about personal information security. It also sets a precedent for your interactions with other technology platforms, fostering a habit of mindful data sharing.

4. Avoidance of Incorrect Location Logs

Sometimes, Facebook might incorrectly log your location due to GPS errors or misinterpretation of your actual whereabouts. These inaccuracies can be confusing and misleading. Deleting your location history helps avoid the discomfort that comes from seeing your profile associated with places you haven’t visited. It’s particularly useful if you’re concerned about maintaining an accurate digital narrative of your life. Regularly clearing your location data can ensure that only the most relevant and correct information is displayed.

5. Simplifying Social Interactions

Deleting location history can simplify your social interactions on Facebook. When your location isn’t publicly archived, you avoid scenarios where friends or acquaintances might question why you were at a particular place. It can prevent misunderstandings based on your whereabouts, such as being at a place without inviting someone or attending an event secretly. Simplifying these aspects of social interaction can decrease social pressure and enhance your comfort on the platform.

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About Max

Max has nearly 20 years of experience working in IT across three different industries in project management and management capacities: publishing, telecommunications and healthcare. He holds the following degrees and certifications: BS Communications, MA Communications, MBA and Project Management Professional (PMP). His tutorial-focused YouTube channel earned more than 100,000 subscribers in its first four years, and currently has more than 160,000 subscribers, 110,000,000 video views and an insane 2.4 million hours of watch time. Max enjoys learning new technology, reading and collecting comic books, listening to audiobooks and playing video games.

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