Android · Privacy & Security
Control diagnostic data sent to Google
Usage & diagnostics controls whether the device automatically sends crash reports, performance data, and feature usage statistics to Google to help improve Android and pre-installed apps.
How to open Usage & Diagnostics Data Sharing
- Open Settings → Privacy
- Tap 'Usage & diagnostics' (or 'Send diagnostic data')
- Read the data categories listed
- Toggle sharing on or off
What you should know
- Includes crash logs, battery stats, and general feature usage patterns
- Data is used to improve stability and prioritize future features
- Does not include message content or personal file contents
- Can be turned off at any time from Privacy settings
Why it matters
Usage and diagnostics sharing is one of the main ways Google identifies bugs, crashes, and performance regressions across the huge diversity of Android devices in the wild. For privacy-conscious users, understanding exactly what's shared (technical diagnostics, not personal content) helps make an informed choice about whether the trade-off between contributing to platform improvement and minimizing outbound data is worth it. It's a low-stakes but meaningful privacy lever that many users never revisit after initial device setup.
Best practices
- Review this setting during initial device setup rather than accepting the default blindly
- Leave it enabled if you frequently report bugs, since it strengthens diagnostic reports
- Disable it if you prefer minimal outbound telemetry
- Revisit after major OS updates, since new diagnostic categories can be introduced
Common problems and fixes
- Unsure what data is actually being sent
- Review the detailed description linked from the toggle, which lists the specific diagnostic categories collected.
- Setting reset after a factory reset or new device
- This is expected; diagnostics preferences are set fresh on each new device setup and aren't backed up.
- Toggle appears greyed out
- Some enterprise-managed devices lock this setting via an administrator policy.
Tips and tricks
- Check this setting right after unboxing a new phone, since it's part of the initial setup flow
- Pair with the Privacy Dashboard to get a fuller picture of what data leaves your device
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as ad personalization data?
No, usage and diagnostics is separate from ad personalization settings found in your Google Account.
Does disabling it affect app functionality?
No, it only stops diagnostic reporting; apps continue to function normally.
Can Google identify me personally from this data?
Diagnostic data is designed to be aggregated and de-identified for product improvement purposes.
Related settings
- Privacy DashboardThe Privacy Dashboard gives you a timeline of exactly which apps accessed your camera, microphone, and location, and when — so you can spot anything unexpected at a glance.
- App PermissionsApp permissions control what each app is allowed to access — camera, microphone, location, contacts, and more. You can review and change these at any time, per app or per permission type.
- Send FeedbackSend feedback lets you report a problem straight to Google (or an app's own developers) with an automatically attached diagnostic report and, optionally, a screenshot with areas you can highlight or blur out.
More Privacy & Security guides for Android
- Security & Screen LockScreen lock is the first line of defense for everything on your phone, letting you choose a PIN, pattern, password, or biometric unlock like a fingerprint or face. It also determines whether your device's backups and stored data are encrypted, since Android ties encryption strength to having a real screen lock set.
- LocationLocation settings control the master switch for GPS and location-based features, plus how accurately your device estimates its position using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning. Turning location off device-wide overrides any individual app's permission, cutting off maps, weather, and other location-aware features at once.
- Emergency SOS & SafetyEmergency SOS lets you quickly call for help and automatically share your location with emergency contacts and first responders by pressing the power button rapidly, without needing to unlock the phone first. The broader Personal Safety app builds on this with features like Safety Check, Crisis Alerts, and Car Crash Detection on supported devices.
- Show Passwords ToggleControls whether password characters briefly appear on screen as you type them, instead of being immediately masked as dots, making it easier to verify accurate entry.
- Lock Screen Notification PrivacyDetermines whether notification content, sender names, and previews appear on the lock screen before the phone is unlocked, or whether they're hidden until authentication.
- Camera & Microphone Access ToggleQuick privacy toggles that disable camera and microphone access system-wide for every app at once, overriding individual app permissions until switched back on.