Google Maps records the locations visited by users who keep the location history feature enabled. The map platform obtains data from the cell phone to monitor your movements and offer an overview of the locations where you have been. Afterwards, this information can be accessed both by cell phone and PC.
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Although the function has been involved in Google privacy polemics, the feature can be useful for recalling moments and finding out exactly where you were on a certain date. See how to use the location history functions on the desktop and disable it if you want.
How to find the location history with Google Maps
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Google Maps knows where you are walking and records a list of places you’ve probably visited. The data is obtained not only from directions obtained from the service, but mainly from the positioning of the cell phone's GPS. If you spent a certain time at a point, Maps records the address in your history. See how to see the list of places visited.
Step 1. Access the main Google Maps menu on the PC;
Access the Google Maps menu Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Step 2. Press the option Your timeline;
Access your timeline on Maps Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Step 3. In the footer, see the count of places visited since you started using Google Maps. Click to expand the list and view a ranking of the most visited places. It is likely that the places where you lived are in the first places. Position the mouse over each item to see the location on the map.
See the ranking of your most visited places Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Step 1. Zoom out on the map to view the cities you have visited. Click on a point on the globe to obtain a history related to the location;
Click on cities you've traveled to Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Step 2. In the right panel, Maps displays the route taken. Below, click to get your daily commute on the trip;
See the route and access the history by date Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Step 3. On the left, check the timeline with the step by step of the day, including restaurants and bars visited, as well as photos taken with the cell phone and distances covered.
See a summary of the travel day Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
The search in your location history can also be done based on a date filter. Select a specific day from the top menu to find out where you were and get clues about what you did on that occasion.
Find out what you were doing on a specific date Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Home and work addresses
On the Timeline home screen, click under Home and Work to add or change addresses. This data is used, for example, to power the system that notifies the user of the appropriate time to leave the house in the morning.
Add and change home and work addresses Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
To prevent Google from collecting all this data about your movements, it is necessary to disable the Maps location history.
Step 1. On the resource's home page, access the Manage location history option;
Access the settings of the Maps location history Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Step 2. Press the key next to the Location History;
Turn the key to the Google location history Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves
Step 3. Select Pause to disable the feature.
Disable the location history Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves