Don’t Lose Your Google Maps Timeline Data – Act Now!
Google is making significant changes to its Maps Timeline feature, which tracks your location history. Soon, if you don’t back up your Timeline data, Google will automatically delete it. This update aligns with Google’s efforts to enhance privacy, as the company plans to store Timeline data locally on your device rather than on its servers. While this move improves data security, it also means that without backup, your past location history could be permanently lost.
What’s Happening with Google Maps Timeline?
Google has announced a major update to its location-tracking feature, the Google Maps Timeline. The company is transitioning this data to local storage, meaning that unless you back it up, the last three months of your Timeline data will be erased.
Important: If you receive a notification email from Google (subject line: “Keep your Timeline? Decide by [date]”), you’ll have about six months to save your data. Make sure to act before the deadline to preserve your past location history.
Why Should You Save Your Timeline Data?
There are several reasons why you might want to keep your location history:
- Personal Memories: Your Timeline helps you remember trips, routes, and experiences. It’s like a digital scrapbook of your adventures.
- Travel Planning: Analyzing past locations can help you plan future trips, decide on destinations, and find the best accommodations and activities.
- Safety and Security: A detailed history of where you’ve been can be crucial in emergencies or disputes.
- Data Ownership: Saving your data locally gives you more control over it, ensuring that it remains private and secure, unlike cloud-based services that might be vulnerable.
- Avoiding Data Loss: After the transition, Google will delete any unsaved location history. Don’t risk losing your valuable data.
How to Back Up Your Location History
If you’ve received the notification or just want to ensure your data is safe, follow these steps to back up your Timeline data:
Option 1: Using Google’s Timeline Export Tool
- Visit Google Takeout.
- Deselect all options except for Location History (Timeline).
- Click Next Step and then Create Export.
- You’ll get a backup of your data, which may take hours or even days to complete. Google will notify you by email when it’s done.
Option 2: Exporting from Your Device
On Mobile (Phone or Tablet):
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select Your Timeline.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Location & Privacy Settings.
- Scroll down to Export Timeline Data and choose your preferred export method (email, messaging app, or cloud service).
On Desktop:
- Go to Google Maps on your browser.
- Click the three horizontal lines on the left.
- Select Saved > Maps Tab.
- Click Create a Map and then Import to upload your exported data.
Extra Privacy Measures
While Google’s shift to local storage increases privacy, you can take additional steps to further protect your data:
- Turn Off Location Data on Google Photos:
- Open Google Photos.
- Tap your profile icon > Settings > Privacy > Location Options.
- Toggle off Estimate Missing Locations to prevent location tracking.
- Disable Facial Recognition in Google Photos:
- In Google Photos, go to Settings > Privacy and toggle off Face Grouping.
- Delete YouTube History:
- On desktop, go to YouTube > Profile Icon > Your Data in YouTube > Manage Your YouTube Search History > Delete All Time.
- On mobile, go to Settings > History & Privacy > Clear Watch History.
- Use a VPN for Extra Privacy:
- A VPN masks your IP address, encrypts your data, and helps avoid geo-tracking.
- Use a reputable VPN service to connect before using Google Maps for enhanced privacy.
Don’t Wait – Save Your Google Maps Data Today
With Google’s decision to delete location history after three months, it’s crucial to back up your data as soon as possible. By transitioning to local storage, Google offers better privacy, but without your action, important memories and records could be lost. Follow the steps above to ensure your Google Maps Timeline is preserved.
Source: Fox News
