Google Fixes Missing Maps Timeline History, Users Can Now Restore Data

Earlier this month, some Google Maps users found that their Timeline location history was missing, but the company has now fixed the issue.

In a statement to us today, Google acknowledged the “No visits for this day” issue that spanned back years for some, noting how it “briefly experienced a technical issue that caused the deletion of Timeline data for some people.” 

For those impacted, the Google Maps Timeline has been restored and should be properly recording new visits.

Users that have enabled “encrypted Timeline backups will be able to restore their data.” This was an optional choice and marked by a cloud icon in the top-right corner of Timeline UI.

To do so, Google says to make sure you’re running the latest version of Maps on Android and iOS. Open “Your Timeline” from the account menu and tap the aforementioned cloud icon. From the list, choose a backup and tap the three-dot icon for Import and follow the instructions.

However, those that “did not have backups enabled will not be able to recover lost data.”

Google is emailing Maps users this afternoon with those instructions. That message ends on the following promise to “improve our systems for the future.”

We understand that this can be frustrating if you use Timeline to remember places you’ve visited, and we are taking steps to improve our systems for the future.

“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.”

— Google spokesperson

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