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  >  Historical imagery.
   Note: 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_content 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.

Related resources

• Find and use location coordinates