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FAQ
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It creates a travel animation from a Google Maps Timeline.json export. It does not use Google Photos, photo metadata, or live device location.
Yes. Use the web app in a modern browser. You can export Timeline data on iPhone or iPad from Google Maps → profile picture → Settings → Personal content → Export Timeline data.
The downloadable APK is only for Android. Do not try to install the APK on an Apple device.
Open the latest release and download the single file whose name ends in .apk. You do not need the source-code archives or checksum file to install the app.
Only download the APK from this repository.
The app is not yet publicly searchable in Google Play. Install the APK from the latest GitHub release. Android may ask you to temporarily allow your browser or file manager to install unknown apps. You can disable that permission again after installation.
The Android app requires Android 8.0 or newer.
On Android, open Phone Settings → Location → Location services → Timeline → Export Timeline data. The exact labels may vary by phone.
On iPhone or iPad, open Google Maps → profile picture → Settings → Personal content → Export Timeline data.
If the menu is missing, consult Google Maps Timeline Help.
Timeline Visualizer can only show data already present in your export. It cannot recreate locations from a period when Google Maps Timeline was disabled.
If history disappeared after changing or resetting a phone, first try the Google Maps Timeline restoration guide. Restore the history in Google Maps, then export a new JSON file.
Not currently. The supported input is a Google Maps Timeline JSON export. Apple Maps data uses a different format. Follow or comment on the Apple Maps request instead of opening a duplicate issue.
The Android app processes the selected JSON and creates media on the device. The web app processes them in the browser tab. The Timeline JSON, complete route, titles, frames, and generated videos are not uploaded to the developer.
Map tiles come from CARTO using OpenStreetMap data. Tile requests and normal network information can reveal the displayed map areas to CARTO. The hosted web app also uses aggregate Cloudflare Web Analytics that does not include Timeline contents or route coordinates.
Read the Android privacy explanation or web privacy explanation for details.
A privacy-location feature is being tested, but it is not part of the normal stable release yet. Until it is released, carefully review any generated video or image before sharing it publicly.
- Update to the latest release.
- Confirm that the selected file is the Google Maps Timeline JSON export, not a ZIP file, location-history archive, or another JSON file.
- Try a shorter date range, especially on a device with limited memory.
- Record the app version, Android or browser version, device model, approximate JSON file size, selected date range, and exact error message.
- Ask in Discussions Q&A. Open an Issue if the problem is reproducible.
Never attach or publicly share your complete Timeline JSON. It contains sensitive location history. If a developer needs an example, provide a small redacted sample that preserves only the structure needed to reproduce the problem.
- Use Discussions Q&A for help and usage questions.
- Use Discussions Ideas for early suggestions.
- Use Issues for reproducible bugs or concrete, testable feature work.
Search the Wiki, Discussions, and open or closed Issues before posting.