Changing the date in Google Maps shows you what a street or building looked like on an earlier date

Google Maps stores photographs of streets and buildings from different points in time. When you open Street View on a computer or phone, you can see when those photos were taken and jump back to older versions. This is useful if you want to see how a neighborhood looked years ago, check whether a business was open on a specific date, or find out what a location looked like before recent construction.

The process differs slightly between computer and phone, but both let you pick from the dates Google has on file. You cannot choose any arbitrary date — only the dates when Google actually photographed that location.

Key Takeaways

  • On a computer, click the clock icon in the top left corner of Street View to see all available dates for that location.
  • On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the information icon at the bottom of Street View to find the date selector.
  • Google only stores photos from dates it actually photographed that street, so you cannot pick a random date.
  • Some locations have photos from many years apart, while others may have only one or two dates available.

Changing the date on a computer

Open Google Maps in your web browser and navigate to the street or location you want to view. Click on the Street View image to enter the full Street View mode. Look at the top left corner of the screen — you will see a clock icon next to the date that the current photo was taken.

Click that clock icon. A timeline will appear showing every date Google has photographed that exact location. The dates are displayed as clickable buttons or a slider, depending on how many photos exist for that spot. Click any date to jump to the Street View from that time. The image will update to show what that street looked like on the date you selected.

Changing the date on an iPhone

Open Google Maps and navigate to your location. Tap on the Street View image to enter Street View mode. At the bottom of the screen, you will see information about the current photo, including the date it was taken. Tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i" inside it) at the bottom center of the screen.

A panel will slide up from the bottom showing the date and a timeline of available dates for that location. Swipe left or right on the timeline to browse through the dates, or tap a specific date to jump to it. The Street View image updates as you select different dates.

Changing the date on an Android phone

Open Google Maps and find the location you want to view. Tap the Street View image to enter Street View mode. Look at the bottom of the screen for the date and information panel. Tap the information icon or the date itself to open the date selector.

A timeline will appear showing the available dates for that location. Swipe through the timeline or tap a specific date to view Street View from that time. The image will refresh to show the older or newer photograph.

What to do when only one date is available

Many locations have only one photograph on file, which means there is no date to change to. This is common in rural areas, small towns, or places Google has photographed only once. If you see no clock icon on a computer or no timeline on a phone, it means Google has not returned to photograph that location multiple times.

You can still see when that single photo was taken — the date appears in the Street View information. If you need to see how a location looked at a different time, try zooming out on the map and checking nearby streets, which may have photos from different dates.

Understanding the gaps between dates

Google does not photograph every street every year. Some busy urban areas may have photos from multiple years in a row, while suburban or rural streets might have photos only a few years apart. The gaps between available dates depend on Google's photography schedule and whether a street has been revisited.

If you are looking for a photo from a specific year and that year is not available, the closest date on either side will show you the nearest match. You can see all available dates before you choose, so you know exactly what time periods are covered.

Why the date might not change when you select a different one

If you tap a different date but the image does not update, the location may not have been photographed on that date, or the image may be loading. Wait a few seconds for the new photo to load. On a phone, make sure you are tapping directly on a date in the timeline rather than just swiping.

If the timeline shows only one date or no dates at all, Google has only photographed that exact spot once. Try moving the Street View camera slightly — sometimes adjacent angles or nearby streets have different dates available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see Street View from any date I want?

No. You can only view dates when Google actually photographed that location. Most streets have photos from a handful of dates spread over several years, not every year or month. The timeline shows you exactly which dates are available.

How far back do Google Maps Street View photos go?

The oldest photos are from around 2007, when Street View launched. However, most locations have photos only from the last five to ten years. Rural areas and less-visited locations may have fewer historical photos than busy city streets.

If I find an old Street View photo, can I read it?

Google Maps does not provide a read button for Street View images. You can take a screenshot on your phone or computer to save the image, but this is subject to Google's terms of service and any local laws about photography.

Why do some streets have many dates and others have only one?

Google prioritizes photographing busy areas, main roads, and popular destinations more frequently. Residential streets, rural areas, and less-visited locations are photographed less often, so they have fewer dates available in the timeline.

Does changing the date in Street View show me real-time traffic or current conditions?

No. Street View photos are always historical — they show what the street looked like when Google photographed it, not current conditions. For real-time traffic, use the traffic layer on the regular map view instead.