Looking for a Google Maps Timeline alternative?
Google Maps Timeline has changed how it keeps your history. If you want another automatic record of where you went each day, here is what changed, what Dayline does, and what to know before you switch.
What changed with Google Maps Timeline
Google Maps now saves your Timeline on each signed-in phone instead of in your Google account online. Timeline is no longer available in Maps on a computer, and a copy is kept on Google's servers only if you turn on encrypted backup.
Google asked people to choose what to keep before the change reached their account, and history that was not kept could be deleted. Many people are now looking for another app that keeps a record of their days.
At a glance
| Google Maps Timeline | Dayline | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your history is kept | On your phone, with optional encrypted backup | On your phone |
| Account | Google account | None |
| On a computer | Not available | Not available (app only) |
| Price | Free | Free, with one ad |
Based on Google Maps Help and Dayline's own description.
How Dayline keeps your days
Dayline is an automatic travel log for iOS and Android, made by Zaco Labs.
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No start button
Carry your phone as you always do. Dayline notices when you leave, follows the way you take, and closes the trip when you arrive. It works with the app closed.
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Walking, running, cycling, driving
Dayline works out how you are travelling and colours the line to match. Each day shows the distance and time for every mode.
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Every day, kept
The History tab shows a month at a glance; open any day to see its path and timeline. Switch the calendar to paths and every path of the month comes together on one card.
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Your record stays on your device
There is no account and no sign-in. Your movement record is stored on your device, and only the shape, distance, duration, and date of a day you choose to post go to the server. The map and coordinates are never sent. You can delete the record on your device at any time.
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Share the line of a day
In the Everyone's lines tab, pick a day you want to post and post it as a line, and look at other people's days. You can leave likes and comments, and read posts in other languages in translation.
Before you switch
- Dayline records from the day you install it.
- To draw your path while the app is closed, location access has to be set to "Always" ("Allow all the time" on Android).
- Dayline is free and shows one ad below the tab bar.
Frequently asked questions
Does it record with the app closed?
Will it drain my battery?
Is my movement record sent to a server?
Sources
Leave today as a line
Dayline is free on iOS and Android.