Google Maps Timeline: What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Changes
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Google Maps users across the U.S. are facing a significant change to the platform’s popular Timeline feature (formerly known as location History). Starting June 9, 2025, Google will no longer store your location data in the cloud. This means that unless you take action, years of travel memories and location data will be permanently deleted. While Google initially set a December 1, 2024 deadline, they extended it to give users more time to adjust their settings. The company has been sending emails to users worldwide, highlighting the impending changes and urging them to act before the deadline.
In an email to users, Google stated, “Timeline is changing and will now be created on your device. As part of this, you’ll need to choose settings for your data by June 9, 2025 to avoid losing visits and routes.”
Understanding Google Maps Timeline
Google Maps Timeline is a feature that allows users to visually retrace their steps, viewing a chronological record of places visited and routes traveled. Similar to the “Memories” feature in Google Photos,it provides a geographic overview of your past movements,acting as a digital travel log.
What’s Changing with Timeline?
Google is shifting Timeline data storage from its cloud servers to individual users’ devices. This change prioritizes user privacy. Though, it also means that location data older than three months will be automatically deleted unless users proactively save it. After June 9, 2025, only the last 90 days of location data will be transferred to your phone. Furthermore, access to Timeline data will be limited to the mobile app; it will no longer be viewable on web browsers.
How to Preserve Your Timeline Data
Concerned about losing your travel history? Here’s how to keep your Timeline data:
- Ensure you have Google Maps app version 11.106 or higher and Android 6.0 or higher.
- Open the Google maps app and navigate to “Explore Timeline.”
- follow the on-screen prompts, indicated by a card alerting you to the changes.
- Specify how many months of Timeline data you wish to retain.
- Choose whether to continue sharing location data with Google.
- Tap “Done.”
Backing Up Your Timeline Data
For users who frequently switch devices, Google offers a backup option. This creates an encrypted copy of your Timeline data on Google’s servers, allowing you to easily transfer it to a new phone. To transfer an existing backup, simply import it through the app’s settings.
With the June 9, 2025 deadline fast approaching, U.S. Google Maps users should act now to preserve their valuable location history.
Google Maps timeline Changes: How to Save your travel History
Google Maps is making important changes to its popular Timeline feature, shifting from cloud storage to device storage. Starting June 9,2025,users will need to take action to preserve their location history or risk losing it completely. World-Today-News Senior Editor, Emily Carter, spoke with David Kim, a data privacy expert and Google Maps enthusiast, to discuss the changes and how users can protect their travel memories.
Understanding the Shift to Device Storage
Emily Carter:
David, thanks for joining us today. Can you explain the reasoning behind Google’s decision to move Timeline data from their servers to individual devices?
David Kim:
Sure thing, Emily. Google cites user privacy as the main driver behind this change.By storing location data directly on users’ devices, it’s no longer residing on Google’s servers and therefore possibly vulnerable to breaches or requests for data from third parties.
Impact on Data Availability
Emily Carter:
So, what does this mean for users who rely on Timeline for remembering their past excursions, or for those who use the data for personal projects?
David Kim:
That’s the crucial part, Emily. While this change enhances privacy, it also introduces limitations. After June 9, 2025, only the last 90 days of location data will be stored on your phone.Data older than three months will be automatically deleted unless the user specifically chooses to save it.
Preserving Your Travel History
Emily Carter:
So, what steps can Google Map users take to ensure they don’t lose their past travel history?
David Kim:
The good news is that saving your data is relatively easy. You’ll need to make sure you have the latest version of the Google Maps app, at least version 11.106, and an Android device running version 6.0 or higher. Within the app, navigate to “Explore Timeline,” and you’ll see a card prompting you to make your selection. From there, you can choose how many months of data you want to retain on your device.
Backup Options for Frequent Device Switchers
Emily Carter:
What about users who frequently change phones? Is there a way to transfer their Timeline data?
David Kim:
Absolutely, Emily. Google provides a backup option. This creates an encrypted copy of your Timeline data on Google’s servers. This way, when you start using a new phone, you can import your backup, transferring your complete travel history.
David also mentioned that accessing Timeline data will be limited to the mobile app post-June 9th, 2025, and will no longer be viewable on web browsers.
Emily Carter:
David, thank you for clarifying these important changes. This is crucial details for anyone who relies on Google Maps Timeline. Users should definitely act now to ensure their valuable travel memories aren’t lost.
