There's more to Google Maps than getting from A to B. Image: DepositPhotos
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There is much more to discover in Google Maps besides just finding directions and searching for places. One feature that you may have overlooked is Timeline: A detailed record of all the locations you have frequented and visited (if you had a phone with Google Maps).
If you are concerned about data privacy, it might be a cause for concern: If you are not at ease with Google Maps Timeline, you have the option to turn it off. It is also something that is kept confidential to you, ensuring that your actions are not visible to anyone else.
Having confidence in Google to handle your data can result in a highly beneficial feature. It can assist in recalling a memorable restaurant or hotel, retracing past travels, and resolving disagreements about the timing of previous car repairs or visits to the in-laws.
In this guide, we will demonstrate how to maximize your Google Maps Timeline and prepare for upcoming changes aimed at enhancing privacy and security by storing data on devices instead of in the cloud.
Enabling or disabling Google Maps Timeline
You can have Location History data automatically deleted. Screenshot: Google
Google Maps Timeline tracks your daily activities through your phone's Google Maps, documenting where you've visited, the times you were there, and the activities you engaged in, such as walking or driving. You are placing a great amount of trust in Google, expecting them to handle this data as confidentially as they do with your Gmail messages and content saved in Google Photos.
Your timeline is private and can only be viewed by you, but you have the ability to prevent the collection of this data. Go to the activity controls page in your Google account online, and then select Turn off located under the Location history section. Next, you have the choice between either simply disabling location tracking moving forward, or disabling it and deleting all location information Google has obtained.
Another possibility is for the location data to be automatically erased after a specific period of time. You have the option to select an auto-delete feature that will erase your data after 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months. This means your Google Maps Timeline data will only be available for that specific duration.
Whenever you turn off Location History, Google will show a pop-up message detailing the data's usage. Data is utilized to suggest locations you may enjoy according to places you have frequented, and also for Google Maps functions like indicating the level of activity in specific venues or areas at any given moment.
How to use Google Maps Timeline
Google Maps can group your visits by place type. Screenshot: Google
You can view Google Maps Timeline on the web by simply clicking on the menu icon in the top left corner and choosing Your Timeline. On Google Maps for Android or iOS, click on your profile picture (located in the upper right corner), then select Your Timeline. The data remains consistent regardless of the device you use, but the way it is displayed may vary slightly.
Online, utilize the dropdown menus located at the top to focus on specific years, months, or days in more detail. At the bottom, there are links to recent trips and a comprehensive list of all your visited places - clicking on the link reveals locations frequently visited by Google's location tracking (with home likely at the top).
While using a mobile device, you have a smaller display, yet you have the ability to utilize additional features. Access the Insights tab to view the amount of time spent walking, driving, and flying within a specific time frame. On the Places tab, you can view all the various places you have visited, categorized into Sports, Hotels, Culture, etc.
Delve into a specific day to obtain a thorough schedule for those exact 24 hours. In addition to viewing your route and mode of transportation, you can also complete any missing information or fix any inaccuracies on Google Maps. Additionally, if there's a stop that you don't want recorded in your location history, you can remove it from this screen.
Changes coming to Google Maps Timeline
The Google Maps Timeline will soon be mobile-only. Image: Google
Please be aware that the Google Maps Timeline feature will experience modifications in the coming months. The online edition is being discontinued—no set schedule, but you will receive a notification on the app when your account is being updated. Some users seem to already have the service turned off. You can still store your timeline securely in the cloud in encrypted form, even if you are unable to access it through a web browser.
Upon initial activation of Location History on a new device, the default setting for the auto-delete option will be turned on and configured to delete data after 3 months. In order to monitor your activities over a longer period of time, you must go to the mentioned location settings and make adjustments.
This action is being taken to protect privacy. This indicates that the data is tied to particular devices instead of your Google account, and it also implies that Google cannot access this data if law enforcement agencies request it. Every device you utilize will have its own individual timeline — they will not all synchronize.
Before the change happens, ensure that you have downloaded your Location History and Google Maps data from Google Takeout as a precaution. Ensure you are logged into Google Maps on either an Android or iPhone device. If you receive a notification about future on-device timeline storage, you will have the choice to keep your existing data.
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