Phones, computers and AI apps
Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
Settings for what your phone, computer and AI apps keep about you: where you've been, what you've typed into a chatbot, and what's on your screen. Each guide uses the company's own help pages, and each short answer below comes from that guide.
| Guide | Covers | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Location history and sharing | Google Maps Timeline, iPhone Significant Locations, Apple Maps, Samsung, Life360, Google Family Link, Apple Family Sharing | Google says Timeline is off unless you turned it on, and each phone keeps its own, so delete it on every phone and any backups. Life360 says you can't delete your location history without deleting your whole account. |
| AI chatbots | ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Grok, LinkedIn | Training, memory and how long chats are kept are separate settings. Turning training off covers future chats; none of the companies says it removes anything from training already done. |
| Meta AI | WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger | None of Meta's pages we read describes a setting that removes Meta AI from the apps. You can keep it out of some chats, delete what it has, and in the UK and EU object to your information being used. |
| Windows Recall | Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs | Microsoft says saving snapshots is off until you choose to turn it on. You can pause it, delete snapshots, filter apps and sites, or remove it. |
| Unknown tracker alerts | iPhone, Android, AirTag and other trackers | The alert means someone else's tracker seems to be moving with you. Often there's an everyday reason. The guide covers finding it and who to contact if you're worried. |
| Fitness apps and watches | Strava, Garmin Connect, Fitbit (Google Health), Apple Health, Samsung Health | Strava says new accounts start with your profile and activities visible to everyone, with the first and last 200 metres of each map hidden. Hiding part of a map doesn't change who can see the activity. |
For advertising settings on iPhone, Android, Google, Meta, Microsoft and more, see ad settings.
This page describes your options and how organisations say they handle requests. It isn't legal advice. See About & sourcing, or report a correction.