Google's recent shift to on-device storage for Maps Timeline data has taken an unexpected turn as numerous users report their entire location history disappearing without warning. This troubling development comes amid Google's transition from cloud-based to device-based storage for location data, leaving many users frustrated and concerned about permanently losing years of personal travel history.
The Timeline Disappearance Issue
Users across Reddit are reporting a disturbing trend: their Google Maps Timeline history is completely vanishing. The problem appears to be widespread, with affected users seeing the frustrating message No visits for this day when attempting to access their historical location data. What makes this particularly concerning is that the disappearances are happening well before Google's official deadline for transitioning to on-device storage, which isn't until June 9, 2025. Many users have already opted into the new storage system, yet are still experiencing data loss, suggesting this is a separate technical issue rather than part of the planned migration.
Issue symptoms: Users see "No visits for this day" message when accessing Timeline
Cloud Backup Problems Compound the Issue
Making matters worse, some affected users report being unable to access their cloud backups, eliminating what would otherwise be a potential recovery option. The issue appears to persist even when users attempt troubleshooting measures like deleting and reinstalling the Maps application. According to some reports, Google Support has attributed the problem to Google One, indicating the company is aware of the issue and working on a fix. However, no official timeline for resolution has been provided, leaving users in limbo.
Affected systems: Google Maps Timeline, potentially related to Google One
The Timeline Migration Context
This glitch emerges against the backdrop of Google's significant privacy-focused change announced in December 2023. The company began transitioning Google Maps' Timeline feature from cloud storage to device-local storage, giving users until June 2025 to make the switch. After this deadline, any location history still stored in the cloud will be permanently deleted. This change was intended to enhance user privacy by keeping sensitive location data on personal devices rather than Google's servers, but the current glitch raises questions about the implementation of this transition.
Timeline migration announced: December 2023
Why Timeline Matters to Users
For many users, the Timeline feature represents more than just location tracking—it's a digital memory bank of personal travels and experiences. People use Timeline to reminisce about vacations, rediscover places they've visited, or find locations they want to return to, such as restaurants or attractions encountered during previous trips. The potential permanent loss of this data is understandably distressing for those who value this feature as part of their personal history.
Limited Impact and Ongoing Investigation
Fortunately, the issue doesn't appear to be affecting all Google Maps users. Many people report their Timeline data remains intact and accessible. This inconsistent impact pattern suggests a technical glitch rather than an intentional feature change. Google has been contacted about the issue, but comprehensive details about the cause and potential fixes remain limited at this time.
Google Maps Timeline migration deadline: June 9, 2025
What Affected Users Can Do
For now, users experiencing Timeline data loss have few options beyond waiting for Google to implement a fix. Previously, restoring from backups seemed to work for some users, but as the issue has persisted, these backups are reportedly being overwritten or becoming inaccessible, eliminating this potential workaround. Users concerned about their Timeline data might want to check their Google Maps application to verify whether their history remains intact, though there's currently no known method to prevent the issue if it hasn't already occurred.