Google says it will have unintentionally deleted your Google Maps Timeline information (Update)

Update: March 22, 2025 (11:30 AM ET): Google has issued a remark to Android Authority, confirming {that a} technical factor led to Timeline information being deleted for some customers. The remark certainly notes that folks with Timeline backups enabled will have to be capable to repair their information, however there’s dangerous information for those who didn’t have backups enabled first of all.

Check out the overall remark from Google underneath:

We in brief skilled a technical factor that brought about the deletion of Timeline information for some folks. Nearly everybody with encrypted Timeline backups will be capable to repair their information; sadly those that didn’t have backups enabled will be unable to recuperate misplaced information.

That’s a disappointing flip of occasions for those who worth this selection. It additionally comes within the wake of Timeline information disappearing for some customers when Google moved from cloud-based garage of this knowledge to on-device garage.

Original article: March 22, 2025 (12:52 AM ET): Google just lately modified the way in which the Timeline function works in Google Maps, transitioning to on-device garage of your earlier actions. Unfortunately, some customers reported previous this month that their Timeline information vanished altogether. Now, Google has it appears issued an e-mail to affected folks.

Redditor sweepernosweeping reported that Google despatched them an e-mail confirming that it unintentionally deleted Timeline information for some folks:

Hi ,

We in brief skilled a technical factor that brought about the deletion of Timeline information for some folks. We’re achieving out as your account can have been impacted.

If you may have encrypted backups enabled, you might be able to repair your information. Make positive that you’ve got the most recent model of Google Maps, then pass in your Timeline. Tap the cloud icon ( ) close to the highest of your display screen, and make a choice a backup to import your information. If you didn’t have backups grew to become on, sadly you’ll no longer be capable to recuperate misplaced information.

We take into account that this will also be irritating for those who use Timeline to bear in mind puts that you simply’ve visited, and we’re taking steps to strengthen our programs for the longer term.

The Timeline Team

The person famous that they checked their Timeline information and came upon that they just had the ultimate two weeks of information. Unfortunately, it appears like they weren’t ready to revive a backup.

Several different customers additionally chimed in to substantiate receipt of the e-mail, with some reporting that they might repair their information from a cloud backup. However, others reported that the backup simplest restored the previous few weeks of information, or that they didn’t have a backup in any respect.

Needless to mention, chances are you’ll wish to allow Timeline information backups for your telephone at this time for those who’re inquisitive about this factor, because it isn’t enabled by way of default. I additionally spotted that my Pixel 7 Pro simplest had a couple of weeks of information, however my vivo X200 Pro had my whole Timeline historical past, ostensibly as a result of I selected the latter as my primary Timeline gadget. So stay that during thoughts for those who’ve were given two or extra telephones and wish to allow backups.

We’ve requested Google about this e-mail and the enclosed steps and can replace our article once the corporate responds to us. Nevertheless, that is some other disappointing flip of occasions referring to Google’s Timeline migration procedure.