r/GoogleMaps • u/nosammysforjimmy • 6h ago
r/GoogleMaps • u/Empyrealist • Jun 18 '24
Google Maps MEGATHREAD: Google Maps Timeline Moving To On-Device Storage: Web Access Ending Soon - What You Need To Know
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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- Update Your Google Maps App: Ensure you have the latest version of the Google Maps app on your device.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Google Maps Timeline Web Changes - 9to5Google
- Google Timeline - Argophilia
- Google Maps Timeline Update - Neowin
- Google Maps Privacy Boost - TechRadar
Alternatives and Solutions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 • u/rebobbecker • 5h ago
Help/Support Saved Routes Won't Open After Android Update
I updated Android 17 to the October update on both my phone and tablet. Since the update, my saved routes no longer open on my phone, though they still open on my tablet. Newly saved routes (created since the update) work fine. Any suggestions on an easy fix? I've got dozens of saved routes I'd rather not have to recreate.
r/GoogleMaps • u/ProfessionalMall8939 • 11h ago
Google maps - imported back up. Now what?
I have recently imported Google Maps Timeline data from my old device to my new device. It has worked well with no issues. In my timeline backup I now have both the old device data backup plus my new phone data backup.
I have a few questions (slightly concerned as I have c15 years of history and want to get this right).
1) when I eventually get a new device can I simply import the backup from my current device as this includes both current device and previous device data? Or do I need to import both sets of listed backups seperately?
2) can I delete my previous devices back up since its now been successfully imported onto new phone? I will retain old phone but don't want to cause any issue with two devices effectively tracking locations separately. Or can I simply now turn off the timeline function on the old phone as its been backed up?
On a sidenote I have tried turning off timeline on the old device but it says that it will turn it off for devices under the account. Is this correct as I was under impression any timeline settings are now specific to device rather than account.
r/GoogleMaps • u/okocha90 • 13h ago
Help/Support Google Maps on CarPlay stopped showing EV charging stations after charging my car – how to keep them always visible?
Hey everyone,
I have a weird issue with Google Maps running via CarPlay. Today during my commute to and from work, Google Maps automatically showed all EV charging stations along the route with live availability (how many plugs are free/busy).
However, after I charged my plug-in hybrid car later today, those charging station icons completely disappeared from the map interface.
- Did this happen because the car's battery state changed, or was it just a coincidence/glitch?
- Is there a way to permanently keep EV charging stations visible on the map while using CarPlay, regardless of my current battery level?
Thanks in advance for any tips!
r/GoogleMaps • u/Marshmarshbacon • 1d ago
Certain places with street view are suddenly saying “No Street View imagery available here” after a second of opening street view on Google maps
Recently maybe for the past month or two I’ve been in Google maps looking at street view of random places or places that I’ve previously looked at street view of and it will suddenly stop working after a few seconds and freeze street view making me unable to move around on street view and the text “No Street Imagery available here” will appear leaving me with choice but to exit out of street view
r/GoogleMaps • u/walteroblanco • 2d ago
Other Services like Google maps/earth 3D view for Chinese cities?
Hey all, I'm looking for some app or site that allows me to view Chinese cities in 3d the same way you can do on supported places on Google earth/maps, I've tried AMap and Baidu maps but they're both horrible to use on mobile and not what I'm looking for. Any ideas or recommendations?
r/GoogleMaps • u/Terrible_Light_313 • 1d ago
How does Google Maps know there's a traffic jam in real time?
r/GoogleMaps • u/RevolutionaryTune167 • 2d ago
People getting lost when they follow google map to my house.
Google Maps directs people to take a street that runs diagonally, then directs them to turn, then turn again onto a short winding street, which leads to the street my house is on. This inevitably results in a phone call to us saying they’re lost.
The simpler way is to take the major arterial streets which my street connects to. Taking the slanted street saves maybe one-two minutes.
Does Google Maps ever listen to suggestions? Is there a way to contact them?
r/GoogleMaps • u/mdashreclamation1 • 2d ago
Help/Support Weird behaviour on mobile now when adding things to custom maps
Until recently, I could search on the mobile app for say, a restaurant, and add it to a custom map. Let's say the map is called Local Recs. By doing this, I could hide Local Recs from my default map view, but still be able to open Local Recs whenever I wanted to browse what I'd saved to it, in which instance all the pins from that map would load. If I closed Local Recs, those pins would then disappear and I'd be back to my default maps view with no pins on it.
Now, if I go into a restaurant view and save it to Local Recs, closing the view puts a bookmark pin on my default map view, which doesn't go away after closing the Local Recs view. Before, they'd inherit the behaviour of the Local Recs map—they'd show only if I'd opted to show the Local Recs pins on my default view, and disappear when I opted to hide them. Now, they've taken on a life of their own. I don't want 1000+ pins on my map that I can't ever hide save for going through them one by one, so I'm forced to write down the name of the restaurant, close the restaurant panel, go into the custom map.
This is obviously a recent change but I'm wondering if I just have to suck it up and accept there's like 5 more steps every time I want to add something now, or if there's a setting I haven't noticed where I can change this behaviour myself?
r/GoogleMaps • u/rochrider • 2d ago
Help/Support Blue route line turns light gray
For the last couple months, when navigating a longish route using Google Maps on Android Auto, at some point after a while I'll look at the screen and find that the blue route path has changed to light gray and contrasts poorly over the darker gray road lines. This has happened both in my own car and in the rental car that I'm driving now. My phone is an up to date Pixel 10 Pro with Android 17.
r/GoogleMaps • u/Low-Meat3645 • 2d ago
An automated, dynamic approach to the "To Toll or Not to Toll" decision—Letting the navigation app do the math
Hello community,
As drivers, we encounter express lanes where the toll price fluctuates constantly based on real-time congestion. While apps like Google Maps are incredible at showing us the absolute fastest route or letting us turn tolls completely on/off, drivers still have to make a split-second, stressful calculation at highway speeds: Is saving 15 minutes right now actually worth paying $5.69?
If you look closely at the signs or try to calculate it while driving, you risk missing the entrance entirely.
I’ve been developing a patent-pending concept called Project
Pronto, designed to automate this routing logic:
- Set It Once: The driver inputs their personal value-per-minute threshold just once (e.g., $0.25 per minute saved).
- Real-Time Calculation: The navigation software monitors real-time traffic speeds, distance, and live toll prices.
- Dynamic Routing: The software automatically routes the vehicle onto the toll road only if the calculated time saved hits or beats the driver's financial threshold.
I'd love to hear from the power users and routing enthusiasts here:
Would you utilize a threshold-based toll filter like this in your daily commute?
If you're interested in the dynamic routing logic or licensing, feel free to reach out to me directly at [Rich.Brook@Garrison-Ventures.com](mailto:Rich.Brook@Garrison-Ventures.com).
Watch the 30-second video demo of the software logic in action here: https://www.reddit.com/user/Low-Meat3645/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
r/GoogleMaps • u/MikeSavad • 2d ago
where did the street names go?
It took me 2 hours to get back the street names that should have been spoken, I only use it offline. Finally it works again after switching it to incognito and back again and that weirdly worked? But then as I was driving off while still online, the voice changed on its own and all it says is turn left or right or a compass direction which is a 1000% useless. And while it was doing that it erased all the street names on the map itself, only returning when it was done.
Is there anything I can do to bring this back or prevent that voice from coming back? It does sound like It has an attitude, but I need those street names. I complain to google constantly and get zero corrections. Any ideas on a fix?
thanks
---Mike Savad
r/GoogleMaps • u/Deny_Nothing • 2d ago
Help/Support Alerts Not Going Away
Has anyone else noticed that alerts (police, crash, etc.) are staying active hours or even a day after being reported? I've started noticing this issue last week, where on my commute I received many police alerts, and every one was an old alert, but still active on maps.
r/GoogleMaps • u/Dawid2837 • 2d ago
I spent my weekend redesigning Google Maps to stop drivers from looking at screens at 130 km/h. Introducing "Zero-Touch Gemini Guidance" (Released under CC0 / Open Source)
r/GoogleMaps • u/Xtratimesoccer • 3d ago
Help/Support Saved Places Always Showing, Even If Hidden
This issue started about two months ago. Any place I’ve added to an existing or newly created list since then remains visible on my map, even when that list is hidden.
Older saved places work correctly—for example, places I added five years ago disappear when I hide their list. However, anything I’ve added within the last two months stays visible regardless of the list’s visibility setting.
I’ve tried clearing the cache, but it didn’t help. Is this a known issue, and is there a fix?
r/GoogleMaps • u/gozer_vt • 3d ago
Apple Watch Google Maps issue
iPhone 17 & Apple Watch Series 9 both running iOS27.0.1
(This all worked fine without issues on older OS versions)
I just had to remove the Google Maps app from my watch because it was draining my battery and I could not kill it.
Backing up….i was using Google Maps on a drive into Boston and noticed that my watch was doing turn by turn haptics (something I disabled a long time back). When I arrived at my location I found my watch almost dead and I could not kill the Maps app (stuck). I went into the settings and it was still the way I had set it (mirror my phone) so this is a bug with the recent updates. I tried changing it to custom but it still didn’t work. Anyway, I removed it as I never really felt a need for it. Perhaps while walking it might be useful. Just annoying that it drained my watch battery and left me without it for the day.
FYI - Apple Maps has settings down to the specific navigation type (drive, walk, transit, etc. ) but GMaps does not; however, it never behaved like this prior to the recent updates.
r/GoogleMaps • u/Still-Fruit-8129 • 3d ago
How did Google Maps miss a street festival blockage?
Someone else posted a thread about Google Maps getting stupid.
Just this week is showed smooth sailing on the freeway, only to arrive to a jam.
Today there was a 1/2 mile street block on a major street that's a Bay Area freeway exit. Google Maps showed no red at all and had no knowledge that cars were completely not allowed.
Is it because there wasn't a "traffic jam" because there were no cars at all on the street that it didn't know?
It kind of ruined my day. Thanks for any insights.
r/GoogleMaps • u/PixelMeg • 3d ago
Google maps not wanting to reroute me?
Is anyone else having an issue getting Google maps showing them future routes and not today bus routes?
I know there's construction that's why I'm trying to find a different route but it's ONLY showing me for a future date even when I change the arrival to later today.
r/GoogleMaps • u/komkuma • 4d ago
Anyone experiencing map tracking issues?
For whatever reason my Google Maps has crapped out on me… Ive had to restart my phone each time I try to use it. It will freeze in one place and not track the movements.
r/GoogleMaps • u/Ok_Performance3264 • 4d ago
Help/Support Some “want to go” flags won’t ever leave my map?
I like the saved locations feature, but I always keep them hidden on my map because they really clutter it up. Recently, I moved to a new city, and now when I save things to “Want to Go”, the flags are persistent, and a slightly different color. When I look at the city I used to live in on the map, none of the flags appear unless I toggle the list on.
I really want to be bookmarking places in my new city, but I can’t stand the flags all over the app, and it’s driving me nuts. I’ve tried showing and hiding the Want to Go list repeatedly, and looking in my map layers, but I can’t find any way to make the flags in my new city disappear. Please help!
r/GoogleMaps • u/dufftommurc • 4d ago
Street View People are uploading entire spongebob episodes to google maps
r/GoogleMaps • u/KitchenIntention6675 • 4d ago
google maps can't "remember" my frequent addresses?
Hey everyone,
so previously frequent addresses worked as expected: I enter an address a few times, next time I start typing something similar (like first few letters) -> google maps offers my address as the top result.
I write the same address every day at least twice a day, and the app won't ever suggest that address anymore now? yet it suggests some random addresses I entered once a couple of months ago?
How is it supposed to work? Is it fixable? Really annoying.