Google Maps Timeline Deleted After Moved to a New Phone? How to Recover It

Have you ever opened Google Maps on your new phone only to realize your entire timeline history has vanished? If your Google Maps timeline deleted after moved to a new phone, you’re not alone. Many users face this frustrating issue and wonder if their travel history is gone forever.

Don’t worry—there’s a solution. In this guide, we’ll explain why your timeline might be missing, how to restore it, and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.

What Is Google Maps Timeline?

Your Google Maps Timeline is a feature that automatically records places you’ve visited, routes you’ve taken, and even the modes of transport you used—provided you have Location History turned on. It’s a useful tool for tracking your travels, organizing trips, or even just remembering where you were on a certain day.

How Timeline Works

• Google collects location data through your phone’s GPS.

• The data is stored in your Google account, not just on the phone.

• As long as Location History is on, your timeline gets updated.

Knowing how it works helps in understanding why your Google Maps timeline deleted after moved to a new phone.

Why Was Your Google Maps Timeline Deleted After Moving to a New Phone?

There are several common reasons this issue occurs. Let’s break them down.

1. Not Signed in with the Same Google Account

One of the most frequent causes is that users log into a different Google account on the new phone. Your timeline data is account-specific, not device-specific.

2. Location History Is Disabled

If Location History is not turned on in the settings, Google won’t collect or display past timeline data—even if it’s stored somewhere in your account.

3. Sync Issues with Google Maps

Sometimes, sync settings are turned off on the new device. This stops Google Maps from pulling in your previously saved timeline.

4. App Permissions Not Granted

If you haven’t allowed location access or background data usage for Google Maps, the app won’t show updated or previous timeline data.

5. Cache or App Data Issues

Corrupted data or an outdated version of the app can also cause display problems, making it seem like your timeline was deleted.

Step-by-Step: How to Recover Your Google Maps Timeline

Now that you know why this happens, let’s go through the recovery steps.

Step 1: Confirm You’re Using the Correct Google Account

• Open the Google Maps app.

• Tap on your profile icon at the top right.

• Make sure the account matches the one you used on your old phone.

• If not, tap it and switch to the correct one.

Step 2: Enable Location History

• Go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account.

• Tap on the Data & privacy tab.

• Scroll to History Settings and make sure Location History is ON.

• If it’s off, turn it on and wait a few moments.

Step 3: Allow All Necessary Permissions

• Navigate to Settings > Apps > Google Maps > Permissions.

• Ensure Location, Storage, and Background Data permissions are enabled.

• Restart the app after making these changes.

Step 4: Clear Cache (Optional but Useful)

• Go to Settings > Apps > Google Maps > Storage.

• Tap on Clear Cache.

• Don’t select “Clear Data” unless you’ve backed up your settings.

This step helps if the data is present but not displaying correctly.

Step 5: Access Your Timeline from a Web Browser

If your mobile app still doesn’t show it, try using a desktop browser:

• Visit Google Timeline.

• Log in with the same Google account.

• Check if your travel history is available there.

If it’s there but not on your phone, the issue lies with your app settings or sync.

Still Missing? Try These Advanced Solutions

If you’ve tried the basics and your Google Maps timeline deleted after moved to a new phone, don’t give up just yet.

Check Google Takeout

Google Takeout allows you to download your data:

1. Go to Google Takeout.

2. Select only Location History.

3. Export your data and check for stored timeline files.

4. Review the .json or .kml files using Google Earth or other map viewers.

Contact Google Support

If everything else fails:

• Visit Google Support.

• Search for “Missing Timeline Data”.

• Use live chat or email options if available.

• Share details like device name, app version, and when the issue started.

Google’s support team can sometimes restore missing records if they detect an error on their end.

How to Prevent Timeline Deletion in the Future

No one wants to go through this twice. Let’s talk about prevention.

Enable Sync and Backup

Always keep Google Maps synced with your Google account.

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Google.

• Make sure Maps and Location Data are checked.

Turn On Location History Before Switching Phones

If you’re planning to change devices:

1. Backup your data first.

2. Ensure Location History is ON before the move.

3. Sign into your new phone with the same account before installing Google Maps.

Use Google Drive for Full Backup

Your Google Drive backup includes app data and settings. It won’t save Maps timeline data directly, but it ensures you don’t miss critical configurations.

Is Your Timeline Gone Forever?

If your Google Maps timeline deleted after moved to a new phone, the good news is—most of the time, it isn’t permanently lost. Since timeline data is stored in the cloud (your Google account), switching devices doesn’t erase it.

However, if you:

• Used a different Google account

• Had Location History turned off for long periods

• Cleared your timeline manually

…then the data may genuinely be gone. In such cases, recovery is extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Final Thoughts

It can be jarring to find your Google Maps timeline deleted after moved to a new phone, especially if you rely on it to remember trips, commutes, or past events. But with the right steps, you can often recover your timeline or avoid losing it in the first place.

Always ensure your Google account settings are synced and permissions granted. And remember: your data lives in the cloud, not the device—so with the right access, it’s rarely lost for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restore deleted timeline data?

If you deleted it manually, it’s likely gone. But if it disappeared after switching phones, it’s often a sync or settings issue that can be fixed.

Why does my new phone not show old locations?

You might be signed into a different Google account, or your Location History settings might be off.

Does factory reset delete my timeline?

No. Your timeline is stored in your Google account. A factory reset only affects local device data.

Can I recover timeline data from a previous backup?

Not directly. Google Maps timeline data isn’t included in Android backups but is stored in your Google account.