If you recently opened Google Maps expecting to revisit past trips, only to find your entire Timeline history wiped clean, you’re not alone. Many users have taken to forums and social media, expressing frustration over the sudden disappearance of their location history — some spanning years.
Now, Google has confirmed that a technical issue was responsible for the data loss. While some users (those with encrypted Timeline backups) may be able to recover their lost Timeline entries, others — especially those who didn’t enable cloud backups — are likely out of luck.
The issue first gained traction when users on platforms like Reddit and Google’s own support forums began noticing their Google Maps Timeline data had vanished. The Timeline feature, which tracks users’ visited locations over time, is widely used by those who rely on Google Maps to keep a record of past trips and places visited. Eventually, complaints surged, with some reporting the loss of several years’ worth of location data. Many initially believed it was just a temporary bug.
On March 24, 2025, Google confirmed the problem in an email statement sent to affected users. However, the company did not issue an official apology, instead referring to the incident as a brief technical issue. “We briefly experienced a technical issue that caused the deletion of Timeline data for some people. Nearly everyone with encrypted Timeline backups will be able to restore their data; unfortunately, those who did not have backups enabled will not be able to recover lost data,” said Genevieve Park, a spokesperson for Google, in a statement to The Verge.
For users who had previously relied on Google’s cloud storage, the transition to on-device storage means there was no backup unless they manually enabled it. This shift, promoted as a privacy-focused improvement, introduced a significant risk — the potential for permanent data loss in cases like this. Affected users now face the bitter consequence of this switch, as any unexpected deletion, technical error, or device failure could result in a complete loss of data.
Google has provided steps for restoring lost Timeline data for those with cloud backups enabled, but as mentioned earlier, users who opted for on-device storage have no available recovery method. Users can check if they can restore their timeline data by going to the Google Maps app on their Android or iOS device, then clicking on their profile picture. After that, they need to select “Your Timeline” and look for a cloud icon at the top of the screen. If the cloud has an arrow inside it, backups are enabled, meaning users can tap on it and choose a backup to import. However, for those without backups, the loss is irreversible.
This incident has raised concerns regarding Google’s data management practices, especially given that some users have also reported incomplete or missing backups. Google has advised all users to enable Timeline backup settings to avoid similar issues in the future, emphasizing the need for individual responsibility when managing personal data security.
In a broader context, this technical failure serves as a wake-up call for users of digital services that store sensitive information. It highlights the importance of understanding how data is managed and the potential risks associated with relying exclusively on online platforms without backups. As digitalization continues to dominate everyday life, the ramifications of data loss can be significant, not just for individual users but also for companies that may risk losing client trust.
