Google Maps, the navigation app relied upon by millions worldwide, faces scrutiny over its handling of user data as many users report experiencing alarming data losses. A glitch has surfaced, leading to the accidental deletion of users' Google Maps Timeline data, some of which spans several years.
On various online forums such as Reddit, users are voicing their panic and confusion. One user lamented, “Every single day for the last 3+ years just disappeared,” echoing sentiments shared by many who have reported similar experiences. Another user sarcastically noted, “Oh well I guess I will just have to live in the moment for now,” highlighting the baffling nature of the glitch.
Google admitted to deleting Timeline data older than 90 days but faced backlash as this recent anomaly seemed to be erasing data much earlier than the scheduled deletion timeline. A significant number of users have now lost their histories which they had relied upon for not just navigational purposes, but for remembrances of their travels and daily commutes.
Google Maps Timeline, which debuted on Android back in 2015 and later on iOS two years afterward, had always aimed to keep users informed of their location history. Initially referred to as Location History, the feature was intended to aid users by storing every route taken and places visited during daily journeys. Users could later review their movements by scrolling through their Timeline.
To access their Timeline, users have typically tapped on “You,” followed by “Timeline,” to view their past trips. Currently, many complain of seeing all days crossed out on their calendar, with notifications stating there were “no visits.”
One Reddit user articulated the widespread frustration: “I am worried this is going to be the case for everyone. I had 6 years worth of trips saved there.” Another expressed how distressing the situation is, stating, “10 years of data gone. My options for my last backup: delete. That's it. No option to restore.”
Despite the concerns raised, it remains uncertain how broad the glitch may be. Reports vary, and Google has yet to provide concrete information confirming the extent of the issue. MailOnline reached out to Google for clarification but has yet to receive feedback.
Towards the end of 2024, Google had sent out notifications indicating upcoming changes to the Google Maps Timeline feature. They informed users their Timeline data would now be stored locally on each device rather than the cloud. This means, as of June 9, 2025, only the last 90 days of data would be saved on devices, automatically deleting older records without user intervention.
This transition indicates increased security by moving sensitive data away from cloud storage; yet, it imposes significant consequences on users forgetting to back up their location history. Users must navigate to their Google Maps app, tap their profile picture, and follow instructions to enable backups to avoid losing valuable data. The local data backup process may seem cumbersome, but it guarantees information retention.
To execute this manual backup process, users need first to open their Google Maps app, tap their profile picture or initial, and then select the cloud icon at the top-right corner of the screen. They may be prompted for their password before being taken to the backup page. If backups were previously disabled, they can enable this option and select the devices they wish to back up data onto.
Critics have begun questioning the design decisions of Google, expressing their dissatisfaction with changes. A Redditor shared, “This is serious. What's next, my entire Google Drive data disappearing? I'm going to have to start copying things out. This is very serious.” Their comments reflect the relating fears echoing among users concerned about their data security.
Google Maps Timeline is intended to be more than just a navigational tool; it is also meant to serve as a personal historical account of movement. Users rely on this feature to recall significant places they have visited over the years. Now, with the additional worry about whether their records will remain safe, many are expressing urgency to secure their personal data.
Users' timeline data, which was previously hovering on Google's servers may soon be nothing more than fragmented memories if not backed up appropriately. This transition to local storage elevates users' control over their data but also amplifies the potential for unintentional loss.
All users must act now, ensuring their data remains intact amid this storm of technological mishaps. With the clock ticking down to the imminent cutoff date, access to users' histories will fade away if not saved by their own efforts before the June 2025 deadline.