Google Maps Changes Storage Policy for Location Data

Google Maps is implementing a new storage policy for location data, moving away from cloud storage to local storage on user devices. This change will impact how users can access and manage their travel history on the platform.

Transition to Local Storage

Instead of backing up location data to the cloud, Google will now store it locally on the user’s device. This shift is part of Google’s effort to enhance user privacy and security. Users have until December 1st to save their travel history to their mobile devices before the old data gets deleted.

Timeline, previously known as Location History, is the feature on Google Maps that tracks users’ routes and trips based on their phone’s location. This feature allows users to revisit past locations they have been to. With the new storage policy, this information will be linked to the user’s device instead of their Google account.

One of the consequences of this change is that users will no longer be able to access their Timeline from the web starting in December. This transition to on-device storage also means that users need to enable the new Timeline settings to retain their travel history. Otherwise, Google will transfer the past 90 days of data to the first device they sign in to and delete any data older than that.

How to Manage Location Data

To continue using the Timeline feature, users need to open Google Maps on their mobile devices, click on their profile picture, and select Your Timeline. From there, users can choose to keep their location data indefinitely or set Google to auto-delete it after a certain period, such as three, 18, or 36 months. The responsibility of managing and retaining location data now falls on the user.

Google Maps’ shift to local storage for location data marks a significant change in how users interact with their travel history on the platform. This transition emphasizes the importance of user privacy and control over their data. Users must take proactive steps to manage their location information to ensure they retain access to their travel history on Google Maps.