changes underway for google maps timeline

Question

as a little bit of an introduction to what is going on, please see the following - https://blog.google/products/maps/updates-to-location-history-and-new-controls-coming-soon-to-maps/

more specific information with some step-by-step guidance - https://googlesupport.serverhump.com/maps/answer/14169818

google is making the changes gradually, so some users will see the changes earlier, others later.

when it is your google account's turn, you should receive a notification on your mobile device and/or an email message.

the email message will be from "google location history < location-history-noreply@google.com >", or something similar. it will have a subject title like, "keep your timeline? decide by 15 september 2024" - the date of course could be different.

and the email message text will start with something like -

"hi john,

you previously turned on the timeline setting – formerly called location history – which helps you go back in time and remember where you’ve been. with timeline, your visits and routes are automatically saved to a map on each of your devices.

timeline is changing and will now be created on your device. as part of this: to avoid losing your visits and routes, you’ll need to choose settings for your data by 15 september 2024."

before you do anything else, you might like to go to < https://takeout.google.com/ >, de-select everything, then select only location history (timeline), and download. that ensures you have a copy of whatever timeline data is currently available, in case anything goes wrong - please keep the data somewhere safe and secure.

the takeout download contains json files, which can be converted to csv using converters that can be found with a quick google search.

most of these converters are generic, and not specifically meant for google location history json files. they produce results that require some additional processing to get them into a form that can then be imported into other mapping / geo-spatial applications. the additional processing can be done with spreadsheet applications like microsoft excel.

once you have downloaded your existing location history, and are ready to proceed with the location history data migration from cloud to local mobile device, update the google maps app to the latest available to you.

google's help page indicates -

- for android, you need android version 6.0 or later, and google maps app version 11.106 or later < https://googlesupport.serverhump.com/maps/answer/14169818?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1#:~:text=Make%20sure%20you%20have%20Google%20Maps%20app%20version%2011.106%20or%20up%2C%20Android%206.0%20or%20up >

- for ios, you need google maps app version 6.93 or later < https://googlesupport.serverhump.com/maps/answer/14169818?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=1#:~:text=Make%20sure%20you%20have%20Google%20Maps%20app%20version%206.93%20or%20up >.

once you have updated the google maps app, you should follow the steps specified in the notification, email message and/or help page.

after successfully migrating the data from cloud to local mobile device, it may take a little while for the data backup setting to appear. once it does, would suggest you immediately back up.

you should also get the option to export the location history data on the mobile device. with android, this should be available in the device location settings (device settings > location > location services > timeline > export timeline data, or similar). with ios, i believe it is available in the google maps app.