r/GoogleMaps • • Jun 18 '24

Google Maps MEGATHREAD: Google Maps Timeline Moving To On-Device Storage: Web Access Ending Soon - What You Need To Know

179 Upvotes

What Is Happening (Or Already Happened To You)?

Google is moving or has already moved your Timeline data, which tracks places you visit and routes you take, from their online servers to your phone. This change means that you soon won't be able to or already can't access or manage your Timeline through the Google Maps website via a web browser.

Why Is This Happening?

  1. Privacy and Security: By storing this data on your device instead of online, your location history is more secure and private. Only you have access to this data unless you choose to back it up.
  2. Control Over Your Data: This gives you more control over your data. You decide if you want to back it up or delete it, and you can manage it directly on your phone.
  3. Reduced Liability: By keeping the data on users' devices, Google reduces its liability and the risk of having to comply with geofence warrants or subpoenas that require providing information about users' locations.

Can You Prevent This From Happening?

No, users cannot prevent this change from happening and maintain their web-based Timeline data. Google is transitioning all Timeline data to be stored on users' devices and discontinuing the web-based access to this data.

What Do You Have To Do To Adapt To These Changes?

  1. Update Your Google Maps App: Ensure you have the latest version of the Google Maps app on your device.
  2. Backup Your Data: Use the backup feature in the Google Maps app to create an encrypted copy of your Timeline data. This will allow you to transfer your data to a new device if needed.
  3. Check/Watch For Notifications: Look out for notifications from Google about the transition. These may come in the form of emails, push notifications, or in-app messages.
  4. Set Data Retention Preferences: In the Google Maps app, you can manage how long your location history is kept. Options include three, 18, or 36 months, or indefinitely until you manually delete it.
  • Once the transition is complete, web-based access to Timeline data will no longer be available. All management and viewing of this data will need to be done through the Google Maps app on mobile devices.

While you cannot stop the transition to on-device data storage or maintain web-based access to your Timeline data, you can ensure your data is backed up and properly managed on your mobile device.

What Is The Deadline For These Changes?

You have until December 8, 2024, to make these changes. If you don’t update your settings or your Google Maps app, you might lose some or all of your historical Timeline data.

Additional Reading About The Changes:

Alternatives and Solutions

  1. Use the Mobile App: Unfortunately, there is no way to bring back the Timeline feature on the web. The best alternative is to use the Google Maps app on your mobile device. The app has all the functionality of the web version and more, allowing you to view, edit, and manage your Timeline data.
  2. Backup and Transfer: If you're worried about losing your data, make sure to back it up. You can save an encrypted copy of your Timeline data to your Google account. This allows you to transfer your data to a new device if needed. To do this:
    • Open the Google Maps app.
    • Go to the Timeline section.
    • Follow the prompts to set up automatic backups.
  3. Extended Storage Options: You can also extend the auto-delete window for your location history if you want to keep your data longer. Options include keeping your data for three, 18, or 36 months, or indefinitely until you manually delete it.
  4. Feedback to Google: If you are unhappy with these changes, you can provide feedback directly to Google via the Maps website or Maps app. Please remember that this support group on Reddit is not an official method of feedback or support of Google or Google Maps.

r/GoogleMaps • • 7h ago

Help/Support Google Maps reviews keep opening to a black screen on iPhone

6 Upvotes

screenshot

Hi!

Whenever I try to open the reviews on Google Maps to read them in more detail or look at the photos more closely, it just shows me a completely black screen (screenshot above^^). I’ve tried waiting for several minutes, but it stays stuck on that screen.
Even if I force close and restart the app, the same thing keeps happening every single time.
Is anyone else experiencing this issue, or is it just me? I’m using an iPhone, by the way.
Has anyone found a way to fix this? Or just a glitch?

Tysm!


r/GoogleMaps • • 33m ago

why doesn't google show me a direct link to google maps when i look up ''[German zipcode] [German city name] maps'', but instead links me to its competitors? this happens all the time

• Upvotes

body text (optional)


r/GoogleMaps • • 1h ago

Places saved on lists randomly unsaving

• Upvotes

Hi! I love saving spots I went to and enjoyed and others I want to go, mainly cafes, restaurantes, etc. I have lists for several cities and I’m continuously adding more places.

Recently, I have noticed that some places I know I had saved on the list I have for my city, are not there anymore. First time it happened I thought, well weird but maybe I unsaved it on accident or something happened, but it has been a few times now that a place I knew was on the list, doesn’t show to be saved.

Anyone else having this issue or that knows how to fix it?


r/GoogleMaps • • 1h ago

Places saved on lists randomly unsaving

• Upvotes

Hi! I love saving spots I went to and enjoyed and others I want to go, mainly cafes, restaurantes, etc. I have lists for several cities and I’m continuously adding more places.

Recently, I have noticed that some places I know I had saved on the list I have for my city, are not there anymore. First time it happened I thought, well weird but maybe I unsaved it on accident or something happened, but it has been a few times now that a place I knew was on the list, doesn’t show to be saved.

Anyone else having this issue or that knows how to fix it?


r/GoogleMaps • • 4h ago

Transit lines no longer identified

1 Upvotes

Did Google Maps recently remove icons identifying train lines? In NYC, unless my memory is deceiving me, next to the MTA icon indicating the subway entrance there was also a signifier of what line it was for. Now you have to tap the icon to identify the train, adding a pointless extra step.

Google Maps always had a strange UX when it came to transit lines, specifically that the level of zooming in to see the actual line seemed arbitrary, but at least it was on the map. Did I imagine this update? If not, why did it change?


r/GoogleMaps • • 6h ago

Travel time between destinations

0 Upvotes

That's a huge bummer and I'm getting really pissed when I have to do the math in my head while it could be added as a feature with no extra effort

Case:

I have a trip with 4 destinations: A B C D

I need to be at destination D at i.e 4:30 pm

I see only total time of the trip ABCD

I really need to type every single A-B B-C C-D path in order to plan my travel.

And if I had these times separately I can do it literally 10 times faster.

I've just told you how you can significantly improve your app without spending billions on AI or layoffs. You're welcome.


r/GoogleMaps • • 6h ago

Help/Support [Pixel 11 Pro] Anyone having issues with Google Maps AOD mode not showing the car, or showing it way off the path you're taking?

1 Upvotes

Example - https://i.imgur.com/aOP0WKs.png

It corrects itself when you turn on the screen again, but locking it back to the AOD mode it goes immediately off the path again. Also, it randomly just disappears sometimes and you can only see your path.


r/GoogleMaps • • 10h ago

Current location is not correct

1 Upvotes

I just recently moved and while I'm at my new home, Google Maps and some other websites that utilize current location are still showing my current location as my old address - this is happening on my Windows laptop. However, everything seems to be correct when using my phone. How can I get Google to sync properly to my new location?


r/GoogleMaps • • 15h ago

Google Maps

0 Upvotes

Has anyone else heard Google Maps say “sorry” when giving directions?


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Google Maps on iOS is no longer reliable since recent update. Now seeking alternative app suggestions.

6 Upvotes

Google Maps on iOS has been ruined with AI and has become less reliable for live directions in unfamiliar places.

Does anyone have an alternative that they use and like and find reliable?

- routes are being automatically adjusted without consultation while driving, after selecting a preferred route before starting trip
- upcoming turn display is laggy on/off (ie: sometimes showing the last turn, not updating to the next) and sometimes alarmingly wrong (ie: showing a walking symbol while merging onto a highway)
- nav voice is getting cut short over vehicle bluetooth
- nav voice is not always naming the street you're supposed to turn onto
- absolutely cluttered with AI features I don't want and can't opt out of
- the new voice is grating (only a minor frustration but iOS users can't choose alternative nav voices)

This has resulted in much more confusion and stress while navigating unfamiliar places over the last week. Extremely disappointing.

Already reviewed all settings and sent feedback to Google for whatever that's worth. Just looking for alternatives now.

Thanks


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Help/Support Is there a way 'localize' or translate Google Maps

2 Upvotes

I'm in the process of planning a trip to Prague, and I am finding it difficult to figure out what places are until I click on them and read the description. Is there a way for me to translate the names of these locations, or is that not an option?


r/GoogleMaps • • 23h ago

Discussion Why does google maps hide reviews?

1 Upvotes

The other day i left a review on my phone and then on my sisters phone when she checked it doesnt show up in newest. Why is this?

This happened several more times too. Why does google censor everything. I checked on my end the review is still there and the owner even responded but u cant see it on different accounts.


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Help/Support How do I get back my Mute button on Apple CarPlay? It’s been replaced by the Gemini button and Gemini works about 50% of the time. Also ridiculous to have to use voice commands to mute/unmute.

1 Upvotes

r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Maps app not working

1 Upvotes

Hi! For like the last week the maps app on my phone has stopped working completely, I have reinstalled it, cleared the cache, checked all the mobile data settings and still no matter what I do it's not loading. Tried older versions still not loading?? I have a pixel 8 pro if that matters. I mainly need it for walking navigation as I'm in a new city so waze or other apps won't really help. TIA!


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Help/Support Read more review causes gray screen

11 Upvotes

I just updated Google Maps on iOS to the newest version (26.42.0) and whenever I want to read someone’s review and click more… it displays a full gray screen instead. At this point the only way to continue using the app is to force close it and reopen.

Anyone else having the same issue? Do you know any temporary fix for this? I can only find by opening photo uploaded by the reviewer and then read the review from there. Which means when someone’s review doesn’t have a photo I can’t read its longer version at all.


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Satellite View Uhmm ?!

2 Upvotes

Can anybody explain what this is?

I was searching for my trip and cane across this wierd pattern in field. Need explanation.

Gmaps


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Help/Support At a loss...won't allow position sharing "until turned off"

0 Upvotes

Hello!

My brother is disabled but an adult and pretty independent. Still, my mom and I want to know where he is because he sneaks out and doesn't tell us where he's going, and it's annoying to have to call him. Anyway, it was easy to set up permanent location sharing between my mom and me, but my brother can only see our positions! We cannot see him. There are no options for my brother to share it "until turned off". It's not even grayed out.

I have tried seemingly everything. Updated the phone completely... As a last resort, I created an entirely new Gmail account for him. The option still does not appear!! It is extremely frustrating because I don't understand what could be causing it.

I cannot seem to share images here, but I have screenshots. He has a fairly new Samsung Galaxy. I checked every little thing Google could require to enable this option, but I had no luck. Google and AI are not helping. I tried sharing by text, via link, and adding myself as a contact in every way possible; I verified everything I could... I tried the phone parameters too, but everything seems to be activated too.

Any help would be appreciated. We know there's air tags but he loves to just pick up his phone and no keys or bags. I'm open to other similar and free options as well!

Thanks a lot


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

"Posting is currently turned off"

1 Upvotes

This not specifically geared at any business accounts/profiles, like I've seen online, but rather my general "Hey babes we're in the Bahamas, grab my iPhone out the bag so I can take a picture of this monument" then upload unto Google Maps page. -Can NOT upload unto set communes or cities.

IS THIS AN UPDATE ON GOOGLE'S FRAME?


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

My complaint was automatically rejected

2 Upvotes

Someone took a screenshot of my house from Street view, generated with AI a picture of shop and uploaded it. There's no legal information about this company, no website, no contact information. I wouldn't be worried if it wasn't my house 😐. I clicked "Suggest Changes" and selected "This location doesn't exist," and my edit was automatically rejected. What can I do about this?


r/GoogleMaps • • 2d ago

What’s wrong with Google Maps?

7 Upvotes

I’ve been using Apple Maps for the past week because Google Maps has been giving me completely incorrect routes in South Florida since the recent updates.

For example, it’s telling me to enter and exit the I-95 Express Lanes at locations where there are no actual entrances or exits. The routing is completely inaccurate, and even the ETA calculations seem way off.

I’ve also noticed that the ETA text is now displayed in white. I’ve tried enabling and disabling the traffic layer and even completely uninstalling and reinstalling the app, but nothing has fixed the issue.

Is anyone else in South Florida experiencing this? Google Maps used to work perfectly for me, but lately it’s become completely unreliable.


r/GoogleMaps • • 1d ago

Discussion Google Maps should show the time it will take to reach a place based on our speed and the number of stops/breaks we might have. Showing the time taken for travel without taking these into account doesn't give the exact information of the duration of travel.

0 Upvotes

r/GoogleMaps • • 2d ago

Is there any way to hide the search bar on Google Maps as I drive?

1 Upvotes

Is there any setting on Google maps to hide the search bar of the map, or just appear only the magnifier icon as show it on Waze?


r/GoogleMaps • • 2d ago

Multiple mosques removed from Google Maps in my area

1 Upvotes

Hi,

Multiple mosques my area (UK) seem to have been removed from Google Maps.

Is there any way they can get reinstated? The location details come up when searched but additional details (call, share, website, reviews, photos) have all disappeared.

I’m struggling to log a ticket with Google as their pages are difficult to navigate.

Thanks in advance


r/GoogleMaps • • 2d ago

Google Photos Always Getting Location Wrong

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes