Experiencing issues with Google Maps Timeline on iPhone can be frustrating. Many users rely on this feature to track their travel history. If your Google Maps Timeline isn’t working on your iPhone, there are a few common fixes you can try.
First, check if Location History is turned on in your Google account settings. This feature is essential for Timeline to work. Make sure your iPhone’s location settings permit Google Maps to access your location while using the app or always.
If these settings appear correct but the Timeline still isn’t working, try restarting your device or reinstalling the app. Sometimes, these straightforward solutions can resolve unseen glitches.
Google Maps Timeline Not Working on iPhone: Troubleshooting Guide
Google Maps Timeline shows your location history and places you’ve visited. If it’s not working on your iPhone, it could be due to location settings, permissions, or app issues. Follow these steps to fix it.
1. Check Location History Settings
- Open Google Maps app.
- Tap your profile picture (top right).
- Select Your Timeline.
- If prompted, enable Location History for your Google account.
- Alternatively, visit Google Account Location History and ensure Location History is turned on.
2. Enable Location Services on iPhone
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Ensure Location Services is toggled On.
- Scroll down to Google Maps and set Location Access to Always or While Using the App.
- For Timeline, Always is recommended.
3. Allow Background App Refresh
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Ensure Background App Refresh is enabled.
- Scroll down and confirm it’s enabled specifically for Google Maps.
4. Check Google Maps App Permissions
- Open Settings > Google Maps.
- Make sure Location is set to Always or While Using the App.
- Enable Background App Refresh.
- Allow Cellular Data if you’re not on Wi-Fi.
5. Update Google Maps App
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon and scroll to updates.
- Update Google Maps if an update is available.
6. Restart Your iPhone
- Press and hold the power button and volume button until the slider appears.
- Slide to power off.
- Turn it back on after 30 seconds.
7. Sign Out and Sign Back Into Google Maps
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap your email and select Manage accounts on this device.
- Remove your Google account.
- Re-add the account and check Timeline again.
8. Reinstall Google Maps
- Press and hold the Google Maps app icon.
- Tap Remove App > Delete App.
- Go to the App Store, reinstall Google Maps, and sign in.
9. Check Date & Time Settings
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Enable Set Automatically to ensure correct time zone and timestamp.
10. Reset Location & Privacy Settings
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.
- This will reset all location and privacy permissions, so you’ll need to re-enable them for Google Maps.
Summary Table
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Enable Location History | Turn on in Google Maps and Google Account |
| Enable Location Services | Set Google Maps location access to Always |
| Enable Background App Refresh | Allow Google Maps to refresh in background |
| Update App | Keep Google Maps updated |
| Restart iPhone | Power cycle your device |
| Sign Out/In | Refresh Google account in Google Maps |
| Reinstall App | Delete and reinstall Google Maps |
| Reset Location & Privacy | Reset settings if issues persist |
For more help, see Google’s official support: Fix Location History issues.
Key Takeaways
- Check Location History settings on your Google account
- Ensure location permissions are enabled for Google Maps
- Restart or reinstall the app if problems persist
Troubleshooting Google Maps Timeline on iPhone
If Google Maps Timeline is not working on an iPhone, try adjusting app permissions and settings or resolving common issues to get it back on track.
Checking App Permissions and Settings
To start, check if the necessary settings and permissions are enabled:
- Open Settings: Go to the iPhone’s settings.
- Location Services: Ensure Location Services are on. Navigate to Privacy, then Location Services, and confirm that it’s enabled. Select Google Maps and choose Always or While using the app.
- Precise Location: Enable Precise Location. This lets Google Maps pinpoint your exact location.
- Background App Refresh: Make sure Background App Refresh is turned on. This helps Google Maps run in the background.
- Update Google Maps: Ensure the Google Maps app is updated to the latest version.
If Location History is turned off, the timeline won’t record your movements. Log into Google Maps and turn on this setting: Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, go to Your Timeline, and enable Location History.
Common Issues and Solutions
Here are typical problems and how to fix them:
- Authentication Issues: Sign out of Google Maps, then sign back in to refresh the connection.
- Settings Misconfiguration: Check that all permissions are correctly set as described above.
- Device Restart: Restart the iPhone to resolve temporary glitches.
- Reinstall App: Delete Google Maps and reinstall it from the App Store.
- Cache Problems: Clear cache data by going to device settings.
- Background Activity: Limiting background activity can cause issues. Allow Google Maps to run in the background.
- System Bugs: Sometimes iOS bugs affect apps. Updating iOS might help.
Following these steps helps resolve most issues with the Google Maps Timeline on an iPhone.
