Timeline helps you go back in time and remember where you’ve been by automatically saving your visits and routes to your Google Maps Timeline on each of your signed-in devices. You can edit your Google Maps Timeline or delete your Timeline data at any time.
- When you back up your Timeline data, Maps saves an encrypted copy of your data on Google’s servers.
- As long as you’ve turned on backup, you can import your data onto a different device, even if you lose or damage your device.
Important: You can find your Timeline on the Google Maps app version 11.106 and up. If your Google Maps app is older, update your app. Timeline isn't available on Android Go devices.
Turn on Timeline
When you turn on Timeline, you consent to Google regularly saving each of your devices’ precise locations to show you where you’ve been, including when Google apps aren’t open.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app
.
- Tap your profile picture or initial
Your timeline
.
- Tap More
Location & privacy settings.
- Under “Location settings,” check that it says “Location is on.”
- If it doesn’t:
- Tap Location is off.
- Turn on Location.
- If it doesn’t:
- Under “Location settings,” check that it says “Timeline is on.”
- If it doesn’t:
- Tap Timeline is off.
- Turn on Timeline.
- If it doesn’t:
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.
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 Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app
.
- Tap your profile picture or initial
Your timeline
.
- At the top right, tap the cloud
.
- From the “Your backups” section, select a device.
- Tap More
Import.
- On the “Import Timeline from backup” screen, tap Import.
Find your travels
When Timeline is on, your Google Maps Timeline shows where and how you traveled, like walking, biking, driving, or on public transport.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app
.
- Tap your profile picture or initial
Your timeline
.
- To find another day or month, at the top, tap Today. Swipe left or right on the calendar and tap a day.
Edit your Google Maps Timeline
Important: When you edit your Timeline, you can choose to share your edits and related data with Google. This helps Timeline more accurately reflect the places you visit and helps improve Maps for everyone. You can manage this setting at My Google Activity.
Delete Timeline data
You can manage and delete your Timeline data with Google Maps Timeline. You can choose to delete all of your history, or only parts of it.
- If you edit or delete your Timeline data on one device, those changes won’t be reflected on other devices.
- If you factory reset your device or clear Google Play services data, you'll delete Timeline data from your device.
Automatically delete your Timeline data
You can choose to automatically delete Timeline data that’s older than 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app
.
- Tap your profile picture or initial
Your timeline
.
- At the top right, tap More
Location & privacy settings.
- Under "Location settings," tap Auto-delete Timeline.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Turn off Timeline
To turn Timeline off:
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app
.
- Tap your profile picture or initial
Your timeline
.
- Tap More
Location & privacy settings.
- Tap Timeline is on.
- Under “Timeline,” from the dropdown menu, tap Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.
Improve the accuracy of Timeline
Occasionally, you may find mistakes on your Google Maps Timeline. For example, when you're in dense urban areas, your Timeline may show that you visited one restaurant when you actually dined at another nearby.
To help us improve the accuracy of your Timeline to limit mistakes, you can turn on “Web & App Activity.” Learn how to find & control your Web & App Activity.
Tips & tricks
You’re in control
Timeline is off by default for your Google Account and can only be turned on if you opt in.