How to export your Google Maps Timeline
Updated Aug 2026 · 3 min read
On Android
- Open your phone's Settings app → Location → Location services → Timeline. The export is not inside the Google Maps app (needs Google Maps 11.106 or newer; not available on Android Go).
- Under "Timeline", tap Export Timeline data, then Continue.
- Choose where to save the file and tap Save. A popup confirms "Export complete" — the file is usually named Timeline.json.
- Return to Timeline Visualizer and choose the file.
On iPhone
- Open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture → Settings → Location & Privacy.
- Tap Export Timeline data.
- In the iOS share sheet tap Save to Files, pick a folder and tap Save. The file is saved as location-history.json — it works here just like Timeline.json.
- Return here and choose that file.
Steps follow Google's Timeline help as of Aug 2026; menu names can vary by app version. If an entry is missing, update Google Maps or see Google's help page. Google Timeline help
Timeline disappeared? How to restore
Since 2024, Timeline lives on your phone, not in your Google account. If it vanished after changing phones or reinstalling Maps: open Google Maps → profile picture → Your Timeline → ⋯ → Location & privacy settings and check that it says "Timeline is on". If you had turned on Timeline backup, restore it from Your Timeline → the cloud icon (top right) → choose the device under "Your backups" → ⋯ → Import. Backups only exist if you opted in on that device, and auto-delete must be off to keep them. Restore first, then export a new file.
View your Timeline on a computer
The web version of Timeline was retired. Export the file on your phone, then send it to your computer (AirDrop, cloud drive, email) and open this site there. Chrome, Edge and Safari can create the video; Firefox can preview only.
File is empty / only raw data
If Timeline was off, the export contains no visits. Some exports contain only raw location records — the tool can still use these, and will ask before doing so. Google Takeout archives are a different format and usually no longer contain Timeline data.