Street View is turned on by default in Google Earth, but you may need to enable it in your settings if it is not showing

Street View in Google Earth lets you see ground-level photographs of streets and locations around the world. On a desktop computer, Street View is usually active from the moment you open Google Earth — you can click on any blue line on the map to jump to that street view. On a phone or tablet, Street View may be hidden behind a menu or turned off entirely, depending on your device and which version of Google Earth you are using.

The steps to turn Street View on differ between desktop, Android, and iPhone. If you have already opened Google Earth and Street View is not working, the problem is usually that it is disabled in your settings, or you are looking in the wrong place for the button that activates it.

Key Takeaways

  • On a Windows or Mac computer, Street View is on by default — look for blue lines on the map and click them to see street-level photos.
  • On an Android phone, open the menu (three horizontal lines), tap Settings, scroll to Street View, and toggle it on if it shows as off.
  • On an iPhone, tap the profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, find Street View, and turn it on.
  • If Street View still does not appear after you enable it, close Google Earth completely and reopen it to refresh the app.
  • Street View photographs are not live — they are usually one to three years old, so you may see outdated street conditions or closed businesses.

Enabling Street View on Windows and Mac

On a desktop computer running Windows or Mac, Street View is enabled by default when you install Google Earth. Open Google Earth and look at the map. If you see thin blue lines running along streets, Street View is already on — click any blue line to see the street-level view.

If you do not see blue lines on the map, Street View may be hidden. Look for the layers panel on the left side of the screen. Click the three-line menu icon (called a hamburger menu) in the top left corner. Scroll down to find "3D Buildings" or "Imagery" options. Make sure the checkbox next to Street View or Imagery is checked. If you still do not see blue lines, try zooming in closer to the map — Street View lines do not always show at very far zoom levels.

Another reason Street View might not appear is that you are looking at a part of the world where Google has not collected street photographs. Rural areas, small towns, and some countries have limited or no Street View coverage. Try clicking on a major city street to test whether Street View is working.

Turning On Street View in the Android App

Google Earth on Android phones and tablets keeps Street View in a settings menu rather than showing it on the map by default. Open the Google Earth app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap Settings.

In the Settings menu, look for an option labeled Street View or Imagery. If you see a toggle switch next to it, make sure the switch is turned on (it should be blue or green, not gray). Tap the back arrow or the X to close Settings and return to the map. The blue Street View lines should now appear on your map. If they still do not show, close Google Earth completely — swipe it away from your recent apps list — and reopen it.

On some Android devices, Street View may be called "Pegman" in the settings, referring to the small figure icon that Google uses to represent Street View. Look for any setting with that name and make sure it is enabled.

Enabling Street View on iPhone and iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the Google Earth app (it looks like a circle with your initials or photo inside). Tap Settings from the menu that appears. Scroll down until you find Street View and tap the toggle switch to turn it on. The switch should change from gray to blue when it is active.

Close Settings by tapping the back arrow. Return to the map and look for blue lines on streets. If Street View is still not visible, try zooming in to a specific city or neighborhood — Street View coverage is not available everywhere, and the lines may not show at very wide zoom levels.

If the toggle switch for Street View does not appear in your Settings menu at all, your version of Google Earth may not support Street View on your device. Check the App Store to see if an update is available. Tap your profile picture, then tap Settings, then look for an option to update the app or check for updates.

What to do if Street View still is not working

If you have turned on Street View in your settings but the blue lines are still not showing on the map, try these steps in order. First, close Google Earth completely — do not just minimize it. On Android, swipe the app away from your recent apps. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and close the app. On desktop, click the X button to close the window.

Wait a few seconds, then reopen Google Earth. This forces the app to refresh and reload your settings. If Street View still does not appear, check that you have an internet connection — Street View photographs are downloaded from Google's servers, so a weak or broken connection will prevent them from loading.

Try clicking on a major city like New York, London, or Tokyo. If Street View works in those places but not in your local area, the problem is not your settings — it is that Google has not photographed that location yet. Street View coverage varies widely by country and region. Some rural areas and developing countries have no coverage at all.

Understanding Street View coverage and age

Street View photographs are not live video. Google collects these images by driving camera-equipped vehicles through streets and taking photographs at regular intervals. The images you see are typically one to three years old, though some areas may have photographs that are five years old or older. This means you might see a business that has since closed, a building that has been demolished, or street conditions that have changed.

Coverage is not uniform worldwide. Major cities in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia have good coverage. Many rural areas, small towns, and countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of South America have limited or no Street View available. If you are looking for a location and Street View is not available, it does not mean your settings are wrong — it means Google straightforward has not photographed that area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see a person icon on the map instead of blue lines?

That icon is Pegman, Google's Street View mascot. Dragging Pegman onto the map activates Street View for that location. If you see Pegman but no blue lines, Street View is enabled — you just need to drag the icon to a street on the map to see the photographs.

Can I use Street View on Google Maps instead of Google Earth?

Yes. Google Maps also has Street View built in. On a desktop, click the Pegman icon in the bottom right corner of the map and drag it to a street. On a phone, tap the layers icon and select Street View, or look for a Pegman icon to tap. Street View works the same way in both apps.

Is Street View available in my country?

Coverage varies by country and region. Try opening Google Earth, zooming to your location, and looking for blue lines on the map. If you do not see any blue lines after zooming in close, Street View may not be available in that area. You can check Google's official Street View coverage map online to see which countries and regions have photographs available.

Do I need to pay to use Street View?

No. Street View in Google Earth and Google Maps is free. You do not need a paid subscription or account to view Street View photographs, though you do need a free Google account to use Google Earth on mobile devices.

Why are some streets blurred in Street View?

Google blurs faces and license plates automatically for privacy. Some people and businesses also request that their homes or storefronts be blurred. This is a privacy protection, not a settings issue, and you cannot turn it off.