I Always Feel Like Google's Watching Me: Google Timeline Comes To iOS

Like this, only slightly less in your face

Image: Anthony Karcz

If you're an Android user, or you spend a lot of time in Google Maps on your desktop, the Google Timeline feature is not going to be news. But to the unwashed masses who are using iOS, the persistent, all-seeing eye of Google following us is something new.

Well, at least knowing how much they're following us is.

If you've enabled Location Services for any Google app on your iPhone (and, let's be frank, it will be a very long time before Maps gets anywhere near the utility of Google Maps, so you know you've at least got that on there), then Google has been building a robust history of where you've been, day-in-day-out, for a while. And they're constantly trying to improve their algorithim to make sure they get an accurate picture of your day. I've been noticing for a while now on the Google Survey app that the questions I'm asked are almost exclusively whether or not I've been in a certain place. It's been so accurate, that when I get a survey with a set of places I haven't been to, I start checking credit card statements to make sure nothing's stolen.

So how do you see where Google thinks you've been and how do you edit, delete, or opt out of the Timeline on iOS? Read on.

Click "Your timeline" and see where you've been!

Image: Anthony Karcz

In the Google Maps app, open the menu and select Your timeline from the list. By default, it will show your current day in progress. Click the calendar icon at the top of the screen to select an alternate day. Even though Google just made the Timeline feature visible on iOS, you'll notice that your Timeline history is rather robust.

Note to self: get more Surfing entries in 2017

Image: Anthony Karcz

What's neat is that Google automatically differentiates between various methods of moving around. Most of the entries in my Timeline are of me driving, but there's also running data for when I had my phone on me while training for the Star Wars Half Marathon.

For those times when you don't feel like Google isn't following you enough.

Image: Anthony Karcz

But what about if there's a place you want to add or delete? Add a destination by clicking the menu icon in the Timeline and selecting Add a place. From there you can enter an address or use the map to pinpoint a location. Most likely, Google already knows when you were there, but didn't show it in the Timeline. If not, you can modify the time and method of transportation (of which there is a staggeringly comprehensive list). If you'd like to delete the location from your Timeline for that day, select it and then click the Delete icon and verify. You can also delete the day altogether from the Timeline menu for the day.

Don't want Google following your every move? There's a setting for that.

Image: Anthony Karcz

But what if you're not crazy about Google watching you wherever you go? Head in to Settings and select Personal Content. From there, you can turn off Location Services (clicking the menu item will take you to iOS Settings), delete a specific range, or delete all of your Location Services data from Google.

Wisely, Timeline data is only visible to each individual user, so you don't have to worry about strangers stalking you via Maps. I use it as a quick way to not only recall where I've been during the day; but also log business mileage and determine which routes were more effective when getting around town. For the moment, it's not intrusive and using Google Location Services is handy when getting news updates and dining recommendations for my immediate area. If you travel a lot, this is a great way to keep track of not only your destinations, but the more granular stops along the way.

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