Your Google Maps' ‘Timeline' data may soon be deleted on the web. Here's how to save it. (2024)
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Your maps data is staying on the device and off the web.
ByChance Townsend on
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It looks like Google's Timeline feature is getting some privacy improvements.Credit: google
Google Maps' Timeline feature is getting a significant update to enhance user privacy.
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Normally, Timeline has tracked users’ movements and made this data accessible on both the web and in the app. Now, Google Maps is shifting to a more secure, on-device system.
According to Android Police, the new approach will discontinue web access to Timeline, meaning your location data will no longer sync across devices. Instead, it will be stored only on your phone.
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Once your account is set for transition, expect an email and push notification from Google Maps. You’ll be prompted to migrate your existing location history to your device via an updated app button. If you don’t take action by the given deadline, Google might delete some or all of your Timeline data as it phases out the web feature.
Google Maps will also introduce backup options to ensure you don't lose your data. So if you're worried, you can save encrypted copies of your location history on Google’s servers, which you can later restore when switching to a new phone.
Google appears to be rolling out the change gradually, with some users’ deadlines set for December 1, 2024. While the date for everyone is unclear, you’ll receive ample notice before any data is deleted, so if you haven’t heard from Google yet, it's still business as usual.
Currently residing in Austin, Texas, Chance Townsend is an Assistant Editor at Mashable covering tech, entertainment, dating apps, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is the proud father of one orange cat.
In his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and "enjoys" watching the Lions and Pistons break his heart weekly. If you have any stories, tips, recipes, or wanna talk shop about Detroit sports you can reach him at [emailprotected]
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How to save Timeline data. Once your account is set for transition, expect an email and push notification from Google Maps. You'll be prompted to migrate your existing location history to your device via an updated app button.
Step 1: Go to the Settings menu on your Android and scroll down the screen to get the option of Google. Step 2: Tap on this option; it will bring a new list of options on the screen. From here, tap on the 3rd option of Backup. Scroll down the screen and select the Google Account Data.
Steps you should take to save your Google Timeline data: Turn auto delete OFF: Google will change the automatic deletion of the Timeline from 18 months to 3 months by default.
As Chris noted on April 7, 2024. This was a GREAT tool, until Google changed timeline data storage. This tool now cannot access the data using a browser. FYI, you can still download the data using Google Takeout, but this extension cannot use that data.
When you're signed in with your Google Account, it saves the Location History of each device with the setting “Devices on this account” turned on You can find this setting in the Location History settings on your Google Account. You can choose which devices provide their location data to Location History.
Web: Search for a location or drop a pin > photo > See more dates > scroll through dates and click one. Mobile: Search for location or drop pin > Street View preview > tap screen > See more dates > tap one to view. You can only go back to 2007 when this feature was first introduced.
Part 1: Why Does My Google Maps Timeline Not Working
Location History could be turned off on your device, or Google Maps may not have access to your location. There could be faulty code in your storage or cached files. There could be a bug in your device system.
Google announced that it will reduce the amount of personal data it is storing by automatically deleting old data from “Timeline”—the feature that, previously named “Location History,” tracks user routes and trips based on a phone's location, allowing people to revisit all the places they've been in the past.
Complete deletion of data from our servers is equally important for users' peace of mind. This process generally takes around 2 months from the time of deletion. This often includes up to a month-long recovery period in case the data was removed unintentionally.
On the Google Timeline feature, users can control their privacy settings, delete their location history, or turn off location tracking altogether. They can also share the location data with others or keep it private.
When you let Google Maps take note of your activity, Maps will automatically remember when you park your car (even if you park far from your destination). After you're done navigating somewhere, at the bottom, turn on Know where you parked. Allow Google Maps to access your Motion and Fitness Activity.
Open the Google Maps app on your Android or iOS device.Tap your profile picture or letter in the top-right corner and choose Your Timeline. This will show you a list of all your visited places. 2.
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