How Location Accuracy improves location

Important: Not every device has wireless signals, GPS, or device sensor data. Location Accuracy uses available signals to estimate location.

To improve device location better, Android devices with Google Play services use Location Accuracy service (previously called Google Location Services). It uses information from:

Wireless signals, like:
- Wi-Fi access points
- Cellular network towers
- GPS
Device sensor data, like:
- Accelerometer
- Barometer
- Gyroscope

This is to allow your device to find you faster and accurately. Particularly, in areas where GPS aren’t available or obscured, like indoors or near large buildings.

Tips:

Location Accuracy service works on Fitbit Ace LTE. Location Accuracy processes data in the same way for Fitbit Ace LTE as for Android devices.
Learn how Google Play services works on your device.

When Location Accuracy is on

When Location Accuracy is turned on, your device uses these sources to find your exact location, which includes elevation or floor level:

Wireless signals, if available, like:
- GPS
- Wi-Fi
- Mobile cellular
Sensors, if available, like:
- Accelerometer
- Barometer
- Gyroscope

This is very important when you’re inside or when tall buildings block the GPS. Then, devices need to use additional signals to estimate their location. Apps and services that you give permission to can use this location to provide you with location-based features.

When Location Accuracy is on, Google periodically collects information about the locations of wireless signals and sensors observed by your device to crowdsource location estimates. This helps everyone find locations better.

To keep your information private, Google uses a randomly-assigned, temporary, rotating identifier that isn’t associated with a specific person or account. These identifiers automatically and regularly change.

For example, many devices upload that they observed a given Wi-Fi access point shortly after they observe GPS signals. Google uses this information to know that the Wi-Fi access point is near those GPS signals. This happens without knowing the identity of the users that contributed.

How Location Accuracy processes your data

Google processes your Location Accuracy data on certain legal bases as described in our Privacy Policy and explained in more detail below.

Google processes Location Accuracy data for the purposes of improving location accuracy and location-based services and improving our services to meet the needs of our users. This happens while applying appropriate safeguards that protect your privacy. Google uses Location Accuracy data without identifying specific individuals.

Third-party apps and services can also ask for your device’s location, which can be exact or not-so-exact. It depends on what permissions you give the app or service. Location Accuracy can help make that location better.

What data is processed

Why & how we process Location Accuracy data

To improve location accuracy and location-based services:

When Location Accuracy is on for your Android device, Location Accuracy data is used to improve location accuracy and location-based services in Google and third party apps and services with the required permissions. Location Accuracy helps your device figure out its location more quickly and accurately than GPS and device sensors alone. This is helpful when your device can’t use GPS, like inside buildings.

This more accurate location is provided through APIs that Google and third party apps that you give permission to. This allows them to use location-relevant features and functionality.

To do this, we:

Periodically collect Location Accuracy data when Location Accuracy is on. To keep your information private, Google collects the data with a randomly-assigned, temporary, rotating identifier that isn’t associated with a specific person or account and that’s deleted within 7 days. These identifiers automatically and regularly change. For more information on storage and retention, go to Privacy Policy.
Verify, using the random, temporary, rotating identifier, that the Location Accuracy data collections over a period were collected from the same device, which helps to make sure representative and sufficient collection and allows us to delete certain data points originating from the same device. The use of the random, temporary, rotating identifier, and deletion of certain data points prevent you from being identified from the collected data.
Use Location Accuracy data without identifying specific individuals to build and maintain a crowdsourced database of wireless signal locations that Android devices are used to help determine a more accurate device location.
Log usage metrics to troubleshoot issues with data collection, usage, and performance.

Even if Location Accuracy is off, emergency services features, like Emergency Location Service, can still use Location Accuracy to provide you with critical services. Specifically, when you make emergency calls or send emergency texts, your device will provide the most accurate location available to emergency responders so they can assist you quickly even if Location Accuracy is off. No location or Location Accuracy data is collected by Google in such a scenario.

To provide, maintain, and improve our services to meet the needs of our users:

When Location Accuracy is on for your Android device, Location Accuracy data is used to provide, maintain, and improve our services to meet the needs of our users. For example, Location Accuracy data is used to develop, provide, and improve location-based products and services, like earthquake detection and road traffic.

Location Accuracy data is also used to validate the accuracy of maps-based information, like building entrances or routing directions.

To do this, we:

Periodically collect and process Location Accuracy data when Location Accuracy is on to build crowdsourced databases of wireless signal and general IP address locations as described above.
Use this information to confirm and improve the quality and accuracy of location-based features expected by users. Then, we use this data in our products without identifying anyone.
Log usage metrics to troubleshoot issues with data collection, usage, and performance.

Legal bases

When Location Accuracy is off

When Location Accuracy is turned off:

When available, only GPS and device sensors, like accelerometer, barometer, and gyroscope will be used to determine your device’s location. This makes it harder for apps and services, like Google Maps and finding lost devices.
Wireless signals and sensor data aren't sent to Google servers. However, if you call for help in an emergency, location services or your mobile carrier can still automatically send your device’s location enhanced by Location Accuracy to emergency responders when you call or text an emergency number. Learn about emergency location services.

Tips:

For Android 12 and above devices, to access precise location, you can manage each app’s permission. This is different from Location Accuracy. It’s a location setting for your device that lets it use more sources to find your location better.
When Location Accuracy is on, you can tell an app to only use your general location. This is an option if you don't want to allow it access to your device’s precise location. When Location Accuracy is off, apps can’t find your exact location. Learn how to manage app location permissions.

How Google Play services for Location Accuracy handles your data

On your device, Google Play services enable useful services and help make your device more secure and reliable. Location Accuracy is one such service that’s provided as part of Google Play services. Learn more about Google Play services.

Tip: Google Play services is different from the Google Play Store.

Permission Use

Google Play services for Location Accuracy might use device permissions, like your location, which may be accessed periodically. This includes in the background, to improve the accuracy of your location as described above. Learn how Google Play services can use your location.

Turn your device’s Location Accuracy on or off

Android 12 & above & Fitbit Ace LTE

Open your device’s Settings app.
Tap Location Location Services Location Accuracy.
Turn Improve Location Accuracy on or off.

Android 11 & lower

Open your device’s Settings app.
Tap Location Advanced Location Accuracy.
Turn Improve Location Accuracy on or off.

Tip: Learn how to manage your Android device’s location settings.