How Accurate is Google Timeline for Mileage Tracking?
Emily Maina
Last update on:
Oct 24, 2024
Published on:
Most of the major applications track your location to some extent. And while most try to keep this information private and often don’t explain why they need it, Google Maps is quite transparent about its use of your location.
In addition to providing directions and displaying your current location, Google Maps also allows you to create a Google Maps Timeline, which helps you view your travel history on a particular day, including any places you visited and the time spent at every location. This makes it easy to identify patterns, optimize your schedule, and improve your business operations.
We tested Google Maps to determine its suitability for employee tracking. This Google Timeline review reveals what we discovered about the app.
Discover the real accuracy behind location and mileage tracking.
Google Maps Timeline is a feature of the Google Maps app that provides an estimated record of the places you may have visited and the routes you may have taken during a particular time based on your location.
Possible routes and visited locations on Google Timeline.
When Timeline is enabled, Google Maps will periodically track your location and store the information on your Google account. This data can then be accessed through the Timeline page. You can review and edit your Timeline, delete your location history, and set up location-based reminders. Your Timeline is private, so only you can access it.
How does Google Timeline work?
Google Maps tracks your location through your Google account and displays the information on a map.
Location tracking on Google Maps.
Here’s a closer look at how this works:
Location tracking. To start, ensure that location tracking is enabled on your device. This helps the app collect your data in the background, which creates the timeline.
Accessing and creating the timeline. To view your timeline, open Google Maps on your mobile device and tap on the three dotted lines in the upper left corner. The Timeline shows the places you’ve visited, including the date and time of each visit.
Timeline editing and sharing. It’s easy to edit your timeline by adding or removing places you’ve visited. You can even add notes and photos for every location. Of course, you can delete your entire Google Maps location history if you want.
Editing on Google Timeline.
Privacy settings. When sharing information, it’s important to ensure that users are aware of and comfortable with the privacy and data security settings. On the Google Timeline feature, users can control their privacy settings, delete their location history, or turn off location tracking altogether.
How accurate and reliable is Google Timeline?
Google Timeline is considered a reliable tool for tracking your location history and providing information about your past activities. But, we discovered that the level of location accuracy and reliability vary depending on various factors.
First, Google Timeline relies on the location data available on your mobile device or other devices connected to your Google account. This means that the accuracy of your location history depends on factors such as the GPS signal from the GPS receiver, the presence of obstructions such as buildings and other structures that may interfere with the signal, and the availability of location data from different sources, including Wi-Fi networks and cell towers.
Second, Google Maps may fail to pick the correct mode of transportation you used at a particular time. For example, the app may mistake a car ride for a bus ride, which leads to incorrect distance and speed measurements.
Finally, the settings on your device, such as airplane or battery-saving modes, can affect the accuracy of Google Timeline.
We also discovered that Google Timeline doesn’t continue to track your location once you log out of your Google Account on your iOS or Android device. When you log out of your Google Account, location tracking is turned off, and your location history is no longer recorded.
How often does Google Timeline update?
Google Timeline is updated automatically and continuously as long as the location services on your Apple or Android devices are enabled and Google has been granted permission to track your location.
Google Timeline updates your location history every few minutes or every time there is a significant change in your location. You can manually edit your location history to correct any inaccuracies as well as remove any locations you don’t want to see.
You can set various activity controls.
You can customize location sharing options in Google’s Activity controls settings. The app allows you to turn on, pause, or turn off location sharing completely if you don’t want Google to track your movements.
Can Google Timeline track business mileage?
From our observation, we discovered that Google doesn’t have a dedicated mileage tracker that allows you to track mileage and see tax deductions in the same place. However, Google Timeline does track and record the places you’ve visited, alongwith the routes you’ve taken using location history. Together, location and route history can be used as a mileage log.
With Google Timeline, you can always see your trip details such as distance traveled and mode of transportation.
To view your mileage information on Google Maps Timeline, follow these steps:
1. Open the Google Maps app on your computer or mobile device ( iOS or Android).
2. Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of your screen.
3. Select “Your Timeline” from the menu.
4. Scroll down to the day or date range that you want to view.
5. A map will display the location history for that day or date range. To see the distance you traveled, tap on the “Total distance” option just below the map.
Google Timeline will display the distance traveled in miles or kilometers, depending on your settings. To see the distance traveled between locations, tap individual sites on the map.
MUST KNOW:
Google Timeline has several new updates, so be sure to use the most recent version of Google Maps to access the latest features. Going forward, all Timeline data will be stored on your device and not on your Google account. Even if your separate devices are all signed into the same Google account, each device will have their own timeline to track and record visits.
If you would like to have access to all of your saved routes and visits, Google is asking users to update their Timeline settings on their preferred smartphone by December 1, 2024. After this date, Timeline will only be accessible in Google Maps, and all data will be deleted after 3 months.
Choose to backup Timeline data to access your route and visit history.
Google Timeline has additional changes you should be aware of. Here are a few:
Timeline will not be available on Android Go devices.
Deleting and editing data on one device will not delete the same data on other devices.
You can not recover a device’s deleted Timeline data.
If using Google Maps on your computer, Timeline will not be available.
When switching devices, back up your Timeline data and import your history onto your new device.
Given these new changes, Google Timeline doesn’t prove to be a reliable option for businesses and individuals needing to track mileage for reimbursement. Accurate mileage records are the key to issuing fair mileage reimbursement, and with the uncontrolled ability employees have to edit Timeline data, managers have no way to verify the accuracy of reports. If you choose to use Google Timeline’s mileage records to issue reimbursement, be aware you run the risk of overcompensating employees for miles traveled.
Timeero: Best alternative to Google Timeline for mileage tracking
While Google Timeline shows a user’s location and travel history, it falls short as a mileage tracker, especially for tax purposes. Here are some of its key limitations:
1. Lacks dedicated mileage tracking
Google Timeline doesn’t distinguish between modes of transport (bike, car, public transport, or walking), making it less reliable for tracking business mileage.
2. Incomplete location history
If Google’s location history isn’t enabled, recreating your trip’s mileage log becomes a challenge, especially if you need to retrace your steps.
3. Accuracy issues
Google Timeline may not always capture the exact addresses of visited locations. You may often need to make manual adjustments to Timeline records, such as merging or separating trips, which can be time-consuming.
4. No mileage rate calculation
When calculating reimbursement, Google Timeline does not differentiate between IRS reimbursement rates and standard mileage rates. You will need to manually calculate reimbursement since the app does not do it for you, which can be time consuming.
Timeero - Your Google Timeline for Businesses
Timeero is a robust mileage tracking alternative that successfully overcomes Google Timeline’s limitations.
Let’s explore Timeero’s strengths that make it the best alternative to Google Timeline.
Mileage tracking
Timeero accurately tracks and records mileage without you needing to lift a finger.
The app automatically begins tracking mileage as soon as your driving speed reaches a predefined threshold. There is no need for you to manually enter trip details, because Timeero records driving routes along with departure and arrival times for you.
Timeero’s user-friendly interface allows you to easily monitor employee travel in real-time and review past routes, ensuring transparency and encouraging employee accountability.
Timeero integrates seamlessly with your accounting software, streamlining reimbursement calculations and saving you valuable time. With Timeero, you can enjoy accurate, efficient, and tax-compliant mileage tracking, all while reducing administrative overhead and improving overall business efficiency.
The time and mileage dashboard in Timeero.
Accurate GPS location tracking
If your company employs a mobile workforce, GPS location tracking makes it easier to track employees’ activities and get real-time feedback on their movements.
Timeero displays accurate GPS location details as soon as you clock in. In the event you lose internet connection, the software continues to track location and mileage accurately.
Timeero tracks and records your driving route with precision.
When it comes to reviewing drive history, Timeero’s Time and Mileage map shows an individual’s location in real-time. If you want to explore trip details, you can zoom in on the route to view timestamps and mileage.
The app’s route replay feature utilizes breadcrumbing technology to recreate the employee’s trip. If you click once on a breadcrumb, you can see how long an employee was at a location, their driving speed, and mileage.
Read our comprehensive article to learn more about how Timeero compares to other GPS tracking software.
Segmented tracking
Timeero’s segmented tracking is a unique feature that divides an employee’s trip into segments based on each stop they make. This feature makes it easy to view important trip details, such as how long the employee spent at a client location.
Segmented tracking on Timeero.
For sales reps and home healthcare agents making multiple stops throughout their day, segmented tracking makes it easy to track time and mileage. There is no need to clock in and out at each stop during your journey. With Timeero, you clock in once at the start of your shift and out once at the end of the day. The app handles your tracking needs for you while you go about your workday.
Google Timeline review: The bottom line
Overall, Google Timeline is a great option for businesses that want to review location and activity data. The app allows you to see trip details such as, past locations, distance traveled, routes taken, and the time you spent at every site, that together provide valuable insight.
However, Google Timeline is not the best choice if you are looking for a mileage tracker that maintains accurate records that can be used come tax season. For your mileage tracking needs, consider using a more advanced time and mileage tracking app like Timeero.
Can I export my Timeline data for mileage records?
Yes, you can export data from Google Timeline for mileage records. Keep in mind it is a tedious process that might not be precise.
Can Google Timeline show the wrong location?
Yes. Sometimes Google Timeline can show incorrect locations for several reasons. Some of these reasons include inaccurate GPS coordinates, signal loss or low network coverage, disabled location history, and inaccurate device settings.
Can Google Maps show places you have never been to?
Google Maps location may show places you have never physically visited. This is because Google Maps uses a combination of different data sources to provide users with information about sites, along with street view and satellite imagery. If you have never visited a place physically, you may still be able to see it on Google Maps.
Enjoy accurate and reliable location tracking with Timeero
Emily Maina is a tech-savvy writer with a passion for creating content. With years of experience in the industry, she is well-versed in the latest trends and developments in the tech industry. When she’s not working, Emily enjoys exploring the great outdoors or watching her favorite shows.
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