View a map over time

Current imagery automatically displays in Google Earth. To discover how images have changed over time or view past versions of a map on a timeline:

  1. On your device, open Google Earth.
  2. Search for places.
  3. To view a map over time, you can either:
    • In the toolbar, click Historical imagery .
    • Click View and then Historical Imagery.
      • This feature isn’t available if you’re using the Map basemap. To enable this feature, change your basemap to Satellite.
  4. Select how you want to view the map.
    • To turn on historical imagery view, at the top left, click Historical imagery .
    • To turn on timelapse, at the top left, click Timelapse .
  5. A timeline appears. At the top right, click the timeline to explore the map over time.
    • To find a specific time, you can either:
      • Click the year you want to view in the timeline.
      • Click Previous or Next .
    • To lock the latest imagery, click Last page .
    • To minimize the historical imagery toolbar, at the top right, click Collapse .
      • At the top left, the toolbar remains active as a floating chip.
  6. To deactivate historical imagery, click Historical imagery .

Tips:

  • To optimize your viewing experience, 3D buildings feature is turned off when historical imagery is turned on.
  • Satellite image availability is represented on the slider.
  • Image availability may change as you explore.
  • Years are marked by dots. Smaller dots indicate additional months.
  • If a previously selected year becomes unavailable, its dot on the slider turns gray.
  • Global coverage varies.

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