Some Google Maps users are facing a strange issue. Their entire Timeline history is vanishing without warning. The cause is unclear, but many believe it’s linked to Google’s recent location history changes.
Google Maps’ Big Change to Location History
For years, Google Maps stored location history in the cloud. Users could access their travel records anytime by logging into their accounts. But in December 2023, Google changed this system. Now, all location history is stored directly on users’ devices.
Google has given users until June 9, 2025, to move their data to on-device storage. After that, Google will permanently delete all cloud-stored history. This shift aims to improve privacy and give users more control over their data.
Users Report Timeline Data Vanishing Too Soon
Even though the deadline is more than a year away, some users are already losing their location history. Many have reported that years of travel records have disappeared. This happens even when Timeline settings are on. When they check Google Maps, they see the message: “No visits for this day.”
Discussions about this issue have spread across Reddit. Many users have shared their frustration. 9to5Google first spotted the growing number of complaints. More people are coming forward, saying they have lost their data.
Possible Causes of the Problem
Google has not yet addressed the issue. However, there are a few possible reasons:
- Glitches in the transition: The move to on-device storage may have bugs causing data loss.
- Syncing issues: Some users may not have correctly transferred their data from the cloud.
- Automatic deletions: If the device fails to store the data properly, it could be lost forever.
How to Protect Your Timeline Data
If you want to keep your location history safe, follow these steps:
- Check Google Maps settings: Make sure Timeline is enabled and data is set to store on your device.
- Back up your data manually: Export your location history before the cloud storage deadline.
- Stay informed: Follow Google’s official forums for updates or potential fixes.
Until Google provides a solution, affected users must search for answers—and their lost location history.
