Location History is now called Timeline, and you now have new choices for your data.
- To continue using Timeline, you must have an up-to-date version of the Google Maps app. Otherwise, you may lose data and access to your Timeline on Google Maps.
- If you're a new Timeline user, learn how to get started for the first time.
You can edit or delete your visits or routes in Google Maps Timeline on your device. Please remember:
- Timeline isn't available on Android Go devices.
- If you edit or delete your Timeline data on one device, those changes won’t be reflected on other devices.
- When you delete Timeline data, it will be permanently deleted and can’t be recovered. You may still have Timeline data on another device and Timeline backups.
Timeline for web browsers will be going away
Since the data shown on your Timeline comes directly from your device, Timeline won’t be available on Maps on your computer after you move your data. To move your data to your device, download the Google Maps app.
How to keep your existing Timeline data
Important: Make sure you have Google Maps app version 6.93 or up, or update your Google Maps app.
To keep your existing Timeline data, you must update your settings:
- You’ll receive a push notification, email message, or in-app notification about Timeline.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Tap Done.
Your data will be moved to the device based on the settings you chose. If you want to import your data to a different device, you can turn on backup.
If you don’t update your settings by the deadline in the emails and notifications you receive, you may lose some or all of your Timeline data, like your visits and routes.
For more info, refer to the email from Google Location History.
Back up your Timeline data
You can automatically back up your Timeline if you need to switch devices. When you back up your Timeline data, it saves an encrypted copy of your data on Google’s servers.
Important: It can take a few days for changes to your Timeline to reflect in a backup.
Turn on backup on your deviceImportant: To turn on backup, auto-delete must be off.
- On your iPhone, open the Google Maps app
.
- Tap your profile picture or initial
Your Timeline.
- At the upper right, tap the cloud
.
- If auto-delete is turned on, turn it off.
- To turn off auto-delete, tap Don’t auto delete activity.
- On the Backup screen, turn on Backup.
- Tap Yes.
Important: Turning off and deleting backups doesn't delete the Timeline data saved on any of your devices. You can turn backups on again at any time.
- On your iPhone, open the Google Maps app
- Tap your profile picture or initial
- At the upper right, tap Backup
.
- From the “Your backups” section, select a device.
- Tap More
Important: Turning off and deleting backups doesn't delete the Timeline data saved on any of your devices. You can turn backups on again at any time.
- On your iPhone, open the Google Maps app
- Tap your profile picture or initial
- At the upper right, tap Backup
- Turn off Backup this device.
- On the “Turn off and delete backup” screen, tap Turn off & delete.
Import your Timeline data from a backup
To move an existing backup to a different device or import your Timeline on a new device, you can import your Timeline data from a backup:
- On your iPhone, open the Google Maps app
- Tap your profile picture or initial
- At the upper right, tap the cloud
- From the “Your backups” section, select a device.
- Tap More
- On the “Import Timeline from backup” screen, tap Import.
Frequently asked questions
I moved my Timeline data to my device, but some of it is missing. What happened?- Generally, data will be moved to your device within a couple of hours. However, if you moved your data when your device had poor network connection or low battery, it can take up to a few days for your data to appear.
- Go to Activity controls and check your auto-delete setting, which determines how much data is moved to your device. If you moved your data to your device and selected auto-delete activity older than 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months, any data beyond that time period has been deleted and can’t be recovered.
- To be able to move your Timeline data, your device must meet these requirements:
- Have Google Maps app version 6.93 or up
- Be plugged in or have >10% battery
- Have reliable Wi-Fi or cellular signal
. What should I do?
- The cloud icon will appear once your data has been successfully moved to your device.
- This can take a few days or longer depending on your device’s state.
- Once your data has been moved, the cloud icon will appear, and you’ll be able to turn on backups.
- This change to Timeline is gradually rolling out to all Google Maps users. Eventually, you’ll need to move your data to a device in order to keep existing data or continue to use Timeline.
- After you move your Timeline data to your device, you won't be able to access your Timeline from a desktop computer, and your data will only exist on the device you moved it to.
- To move your data to a different device, turn on backup and import your data onto other devices.
- Since Timeline is specific to each device, you are not able to create one Timeline that reflects the location of multiple devices.
- To move data between devices instead, turn on backup on one device, then import its data onto other devices.
- Turn on backup on your devices, which will automatically create an encrypted backup of your Timeline data on Google servers.
- Even if you lose or damage your phone, as long as you’ve turned on backup, you can import your data onto a different device.