Can Google track you if your GPS if off?

[jsmoke]

I was searching for a shop on Google and noticed a timeline link and it turns out it had a previous journey to this shop. This journey also had all my driving for that day.

Now I've got GPS switched off on my phone unless I use Strava or maps and maybe a couple of apps here and there then I switch GPS off to save battery so I highly doubt GPS was switched on that day.

If GPS was switched off on my phone how did they track me?

I'm probably way behind the times on this.

 

[montymint]

I think it's via mobile data, it's just not as accurate as gps

 

[Orcvader]

They can also track via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

You can generally find the settings under Location -> Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning but the actual settings location may vary depending on your Android version and skin.

 

[On Holiday]

You need to turn off Location Services (amongst other things) if you don't want Google to track you.
It'll be WiFi networks that it goes on next - even if you don't connect.

 

[Mekrel]

Go to Google App
Then ...More
Then 'Your data in Search"
Then "Web and App Activity"
Then "... See all activity controls"
Turn off "Location History"

Saves where you go with your devices, even when you aren't using a specific Google service, to give you personalised maps, recommendations based on places that you've visited and more.

I think this would be better than turning off location services because I believe turning location services off would mean nothing can get your location, which could break fundamental apps (unless you turn it back on each time).