Google Earth lets you move backward and forward in time to see how a location looked years ago

Google Earth stores satellite images from different dates. You can slide through them to watch how a place changed over months or years. The date picker sits in the upper left corner of the screen — it looks like a clock icon next to the search bar. Click it, and a timeline appears showing which dates have images available for the location you are viewing.

The process works the same way on desktop (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and on the web version at google.com/earth. Mobile apps have the same feature but the button location differs slightly. Not every location has images from every year — Google updates its satellite coverage on its own schedule, so some areas may have gaps of several years between available dates.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the clock icon in the upper left corner of Google Earth to open the date picker and see which satellite images are available for your location.
  • Drag the slider left to go backward in time or right to move forward, and the map updates to show the satellite image from that date.
  • Not all locations have images from all years — rural areas and developing regions often have fewer historical images than cities.
  • You can compare two dates side by side using the split-screen tool, which appears as a vertical line you can drag across the map.

How to open the date picker on desktop Google Earth

Open Google Earth on your computer and navigate to the location you want to view. In the upper left corner, you will see a clock icon next to the search bar and zoom controls. Click that clock icon once. A panel will slide out showing a timeline with available dates for that location.

The timeline shows years along the bottom and specific dates along the top. Blue dots or highlighted sections indicate dates when satellite images were captured. If you see only one date or a narrow range, that means Google has limited imagery for that area. Zoom in or out and the available dates may change, because different image resolutions were captured on different schedules.

How to move through time using the slider

Once the date picker is open, you can drag the slider left to go backward in time or right to move forward. As you drag, the satellite image on the map updates in real time to show what that location looked like on the date you selected. The current date appears in a box above the timeline.

You can also click directly on a specific date in the timeline to jump to it when ready. If you want to move one year at a time, click the left or right arrow buttons on either side of the date display. This is slower but more precise if you are looking for a specific year and do not want to overshoot.

Comparing two dates side by side

Google Earth includes a split-screen tool that lets you see two different dates at the same time. Look for a vertical line icon in the upper right area of the map, or swipe from the right edge of the screen on mobile. Click or drag that line across the map to divide it in half.

The left side shows one date and the right side shows another. You can adjust both dates independently using the date picker, so you can line up any two points in time you want to compare. This is useful for seeing construction progress, seasonal changes, or how a neighborhood developed over years.

Why some locations have limited or no historical images

Google Earth's historical imagery depends on what satellite data Google has purchased or received from government sources. Cities and populated areas usually have more frequent updates because they are photographed more often. Remote areas, deserts, and developing regions may have only one or two images from the past decade.

Google also updates its imagery on different schedules for different regions. A city might have new images every year, while a rural area might go five years between updates. If you are looking for a specific date and do not see it, try clicking nearby dates — sometimes the closest available image is only a few months away.

Using historical imagery to track changes

People use Google Earth's date feature to watch construction projects, monitor deforestation, track urban sprawl, or see how their own neighborhood changed. You can take screenshots of different dates and compare them side by side in another program. Some researchers use the historical images to document environmental or development changes over time.

Keep in mind that satellite images show only what is visible from above. Clouds, shadows, and image quality vary depending on when the photo was taken and the weather that day. An image from a cloudy day may not show details that a clearer image from another date would reveal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see images from a specific date if it is not showing up in the timeline?

No — Google Earth only shows dates when satellite images actually exist for that location. If a date does not appear in the timeline, no image was captured on that day. You can choose the closest available date before or after the one you wanted.

Does changing the date on Google Earth work the same way on my phone?

Yes, but the button location is different. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper left, then tap "View" and look for the date or time option. The slider works the same way once you open it.

Can I read or save historical images from Google Earth?

You can take a screenshot of any image you see on the screen. For commercial or research use, contact Google directly about licensing historical satellite imagery, as there may be restrictions on how you can use the images.

Why does the date picker show different dates when I zoom in or out?

Google Earth has different satellite images at different zoom levels and resolutions. A zoomed-in view might have higher-resolution images from different dates than a zoomed-out view. This is normal and happens because different image sources were used for different detail levels.