Rescue your Google Timeline
Google is changing the way it stores Timeline data. Jonathan Parkyn explains how to save your location history before it’s gone forever
Originally called Location History, Timeline is a feature in Google Maps that uses GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks to keep track of your location at all times. It uses this data to create a detailed, searchable map of where you’ve been and when (see screenshot below). In Google’s words, you can “go back in time” to see places you’ve visited in the past.
This makes Timeline a useful tool for retracing your steps on a given day, or logging your travel for work or fitness purposes. As you might expect, however, the feature has been a source of controversy, because it tracks your every movement in the real world and stores this information online, raising privacy concerns. Google is responding to these criticisms by making fundamental changes to the way Timeline works. You may already have received emails from the company telling you the changes are happening and that you need to take action.
What’s happening to it?
Last summer, Google announced it would stop storing Timeline data on its servers, moving it to local devices instead. This means your location history data will now be stored on your computer or phone rather than on Google’s servers.