5 Fixes for Google Maps Timeline Not Working on Android and iPhone (2024)

Fix 1: Configure Location Permission for Google Maps

Google Maps requires location access on your Android or iPhone to create an accurate timeline. Hence, the first thing you’ll need to ensure is that Google Maps can use your location at all times.

Android

Step 1: Long-press on the Google Maps app icon and tap the info icon from the resulting menu.

Step 2: On the app info page, go to Permissions.

Step 3: Tap on Location and select Allow all the time.

iPhone

Step 1: Head over to the Settings app and scroll down to tap on Google Maps.

Step 2: Tap on Location and select While Using the App or Widget or Always from the following menu.

Tip: You can enable the Precise Location toggle so that Google Maps can access your location data accurately.

Fix 2: Enable the Location History and Activity Tracking Feature

Google Maps may fail to record your movements if you have disabled the Location History feature in the app. Therefore, it is essential to enable it. Additionally, you should turn on web and app activity tracking for your Google account so that Google Maps can use your activities within other Google apps and services to produce a comprehensive timeline.

Step 1: Open the Google Maps app on your phone, tap the profile icon in the top-right corner, and select Your Timeline.

Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu icon at the top and select Settings and privacy.

Step 3: Tap on Location History is off and then hit the Turn on button under Location History.

Step 4: Tap the arrow next to Devices on this account and make sure the checkbox on the left of your phone is ticked.

Step 5: Return to the previous menu, tap Web & App Activity is off, and then hit the Turn on button.

Fix 3: Allow Google Maps to Run in the Background

Limiting the background activity of Google Maps can also cause issues with the timeline feature and prevent it from working correctly. To avoid this, you should allow Google Maps to operate in the background by following the steps below.

Android

Step 1: Long-press on the Google Maps icon and tap the info icon from the menu that appears.

Step 2: From the App Info screen, tap on Battery and select Unrestricted from the following screen.

Step 3: Return to the app info page and tap on Mobile data. Then, enable the toggles next to Allow background data usage and Allow data usage while Data saver is on.

iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General.

Step 2: Select Background App Refresh and enable the toggle next to Google Maps.

Fix 4: Sign Out of Google Maps and Sign Back In

Authentication issues with your account can also prevent Google Maps from saving your timeline. Most of the time, you can resolve such issues by signing out and signing back into the Google Maps app.

Android

Step 1: In the Google Maps app on your phone, tap the profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.

Step 2: Scroll all the way down and select Sign out of Google Maps.

iPhone

Step 1: Open the Google Maps app on your phone and tap your profile icon at the top-right corner.

Step 2: Tap the downward arrow next to your account and select Use Maps without an account.

Sign back into the Google Maps and check if the issue is resolved.

Fix 5: Clear Google Maps Cache (Android)

Clearing Google Maps cache data removes all the temporary app files and forces the app to recreate them from scratch. This can help resolve issues caused by corrupt or inaccessible cache files and get the app working again.

Step 1: Long-press on the Google Maps app icon and tap the info icon from the menu that pops open.

Step 2: Go to Storage and tap the Clear cache option at the bottom.