Several Google Maps users across Android and iOS platforms are reporting issues with their Timeline feature. For the past few weeks, Timelines have displayed incorrect locations, incomplete trip recordings, or have stopped updating altogether.
There’s no official statement from Google on the cause of these Timeline inaccuracies. Speculation points to potential software bugs introduced in recent updates to Google Maps or related location services. Matter of fact, users faced a similar issue a couple of years ago as well.
Disgruntled users have flocked to Google Maps support forums (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) and Reddit (1,2,3) to voice their concerns, with multiple threads dedicated to the problem. Responding to a few affected users, a product expert on the forums said the following:
The expert’s comment does seem to be true as the reports are scattered all over the place, indicating that the timeline often glitches out for some users. However, the glitch seems to be affecting more users than usual given the fact that we’re seeing an influx of more reports in the recent weeks.
Potential troubleshooting tips
If your Timeline is acting up, try these potential troubleshooting methods:
Check location settings: Ensure that Location History is enabled and Google Maps has location access in your device settings.
Verify internet connectivity: A strong internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) is needed for proper location tracking.
Update Google Maps: Make sure you are using the latest version of Google Maps. Updates often include bug fixes.
Restart device: A simple reboot can sometimes fix temporary glitches.
While these solutions may help some users, the widespread nature of the problem suggests a deeper issue that might require Google to make a fix on their end. Hopefully, an official acknowledgment and update will be released soon to restore the reliability of the Timeline feature.
If you’re experiencing this issue, share your details on the mentioned forums to help raise awareness and encourage a timely solution.