Timeline is a Google Account setting that helps you go back in time, and remember where you’ve been, by automatically saving your visits and routes to a map on each of your signed-in devices.
When Timeline is on, even when Google apps aren’t in use, your precise device location is regularly saved to your device. You also have the option to store an encrypted backup of your Timeline to Google’s servers in case you change devices. Learn how to back up your Timeline data.
Things to know about Timeline:
- Timeline is off by default. You can turn Timeline on or off at any time in your Google Account's Activity controls.
- You can review and manage your Timeline. You can:
- Review places you’ve been in Google Maps Timeline.
- Edit or delete your visits and routes from Timeline at anytime.
Learn more about how Google uses location data.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 6.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
- Learn how Google Play services can use your location.
- Learn how Google uses Location data within Google's Privacy Policy.
Turn Timeline on or off
You can turn off Timeline for your account at any time.
- Go to the "Timeline" section of your Google Account.
- At the top, turn Timeline on or off.
When Timeline is on
Google can estimate your location with:
- Signals like Wi-Fi and mobile networks
- GPS
- Sensor information
- Your device location may also periodically be used in the background. When Timeline is on, even when Google apps aren’t in use, your device’s precise location is regularly saved to your device.
When you’re signed in with your Google Account, each of your eligible devices will save visits and routes on its own Timeline. You also have the option to store an encrypted backup of your Timeline to Google’s servers in case you change devices. Learn how to back up your Timeline data.
Your settings don’t change for other location services on your device, such as:
When Timeline is off
Your device doesn’t save its location to your Timeline.
- You may have previous Timeline data in your account on any device where you are signed in. You can manually delete it anytime.
- Your settings don’t change for other location services on your device, such as:
- If settings like Web and App Activity are on but you turn off Timeline or delete your Timeline data, your Google Account may still save location data as part of your use of other Google sites, apps, and services.
Delete Timeline data
You can manage and delete your location information with Google Maps Timeline. You can choose to delete all of your history, or only parts of it. Learn how to manage your Google Maps Timeline.
Important: If you have other settings like Web & App Activity turned on and you turn off Timeline or delete your previously saved Timeline data, you may still have location data saved in your Google Account as part of your use of other Google sites, apps, and services.
For example, location data may be saved as part of activity on Search and Maps when your Web & App Activity setting is on, and included in your photos depending on your camera app settings. Web & App Activity can include info about your location from your device's general area and IP address.
Tip: Timeline data may still be saved on other eligible devices unless you delete all your data.
Learn more about other location settings
- Choose which apps can use your location: Learn how to manage app location settings.
- Learn how to turn your device's location on or off.
- Find your location on a map: Learn how to find & improve your location’s accuracy in Google Maps.
- Manage your history of the places you've been and the routes you've traveled: Learn how to edit your Timeline on Google Maps.
