Many people rely on Google Maps to simplify their daily lives, whether it’s checking how crowded a bus is, finding out when a restaurant is busy, or recalling a beach they visited on vacation years ago. These useful features are made possible through location data. With Google, managing this data is easy, thanks to tools like auto-delete and Incognito mode. Today, we’re introducing new updates to provide even more control over this important, personal information.
Coming Soon: Your Timeline Saved on Your Device
The Timeline feature in Maps helps users remember the places they’ve been and is powered by a setting called Location History. For those who have opted to turn Location History on (it’s off by default), their Timeline will soon be saved directly on their device — giving them increased control over their data. Users can still delete all or part of their information at any time or disable the setting entirely, just as before.
For users getting a new phone or concerned about losing their existing one, they have the option to back up their data to the cloud to prevent loss. Google will automatically encrypt the backed-up data, ensuring it remains unreadable to anyone, including Google.
Furthermore, when turning on Location History for the first time, the auto-delete control will default to three months, down from the previous setting of 18 months. Those who want to preserve their Timeline memories for a longer period can easily extend the period or turn off auto-delete controls altogether.
These changes will gradually be implemented over the next year on Android and iOS, with users receiving a notification once the update is available in their accounts.
