Preserve Your Google Maps History Records Before Google Erases Them
Initially called Location History, Google Maps' Timeline feature allows you to view a chronicle of the locations you've visited and the routes you took to get there. This information is logged even when you're not using a Google app. However, the data associated with Timeline has historically been linked to your Google Account. Every time you use a connected device to travel, you can access this information from any device you've signed into your Google Account, which is convenient but not the most privacy-conscious option.
In an attempt to make the feature more private, Google is transitioning away from Timeline on the web. Instead of keeping the data in the cloud, they will begin generating and storing Timeline data on your device itself. While you can still preserve your previous Timeline adventures and link them to your current device, each device will generate its own data that will never be sent to the cloud. This means that if you use your iPhone as your primary Google Maps GPS device but take an Android phone on a separate road trip, the two devices won't be aware of each other's travels. This change will also result in Google no longer displaying any Timeline data on the web.
Things get a bit tricky since Google may also delete your past Timeline data if you don't take action. The company stated in an email to affected users that they will "try" to preserve the last 90 days of Timeline data from the first device used with your Google Account after December 1, 2024. Data older than 90 days will be deleted permanently.
Saving Your Google Maps Timeline Data
The good news is that it's relatively simple to keep the Timeline data you've already accumulated. According to Google's email to users, you'll need to update the Google Maps app on the device you want to save the data to. Since the data now saves to specific devices, you'll only be able to access it using that device. You should then receive a prompt either through a push notification, an email, or an in-app notification. Follow the instructions and tap "Done" to finish the process.
The deadline for this is December 1, 2024, so you have almost six months to get this done. Considering how important Timeline might be to some users, it might be better to set it up on your preferred device as soon as possible. Additionally, consider backuping your Timeline data. This will allow you to restore it if you switch devices.
However, if you don't have Timeline enabled, you'll need to enable it from your Google Account settings first. I didn't have the feature activated on my end. When I tried to access Timeline from the web after activating it, it displayed a pop-up that mentioned the feature wouldn't be available on the web anymore and suggested using the app instead. Oh well.
Credit: Aussiedlerbote
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Utilizing the Google Maps app's data export feature, you can save your existing Timeline data as a KML or GPX file, ensuring its preservation within the realm of tech tools. As the changes outlined in Google's email approach, the importance of this action becomes increasingly significant.
In the context of technological advancements, the shift from cloud-based Timeline data to device-specific storage brings significant implications for privacy and accessibility, highlighting the need for users to adapt accordingly and become proactive in backing up their Timeline data.
