Opening Street View on desktop and mobile

Street View is a tool built into Google Maps that shows ground-level photographs of streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks. To open it on a desktop, go to Google Maps, search for any address or location, and look for the small person icon (called Pegman) in the bottom right corner of the map. Click that icon and drag it onto the street you want to see — the map will switch to a first-person street-level view.

On a phone or tablet, open Google Maps, search for a location, and tap the address card at the bottom. Scroll down to find the Street View thumbnail image and tap it. The view will expand to fill your screen, and you can move around by swiping or tilting your device.

If you do not see Street View available for a location, it means Google has not photographed that street yet. Coverage varies widely — major cities and highways have extensive Street View, while rural areas and private roads often do not.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag Pegman (the small person icon) onto any street on the desktop map to enter Street View when ready.
  • On mobile, tap the address card, scroll to the Street View thumbnail, and tap it to enter the view.
  • You can move forward and backward along a street by tapping arrows or swiping, and rotate your view by dragging your finger or moving your mouse.
  • Street View coverage exists in most cities and along major roads, but rural areas and private property are often unavailable.
  • You can jump to specific dates when Street View was last updated by clicking the date button in the top left corner.

Moving around and changing your view direction

Once you are in Street View, you control your perspective by moving your mouse or swiping your finger. On desktop, click and drag to rotate left, right, up, or down. On mobile, swipe in any direction to turn your view. You can also pinch to zoom in and out, which is useful for reading street signs or seeing details on buildings.

To move forward or backward along the street, look for blue arrows on the ground or street ahead. Click or tap an arrow to walk in that direction. Some streets have arrows in multiple directions, letting you turn corners and explore side streets without leaving Street View.

If you want to return to the regular map view, click the X button in the top left corner (desktop) or swipe down from the top of the screen (mobile).

Viewing historical Street View images

Google updates Street View photographs periodically, and you can see how a location looked in previous years. On desktop, click the date button in the top left corner of the Street View window. A timeline will appear showing which dates have available photographs. Select an older date to see what that street looked like then.

This feature is useful for checking whether a building or landmark has changed, or for seeing a location as it appeared before recent construction. Not all locations have multiple dates available — newer areas may only have one or two snapshots in the system.

Using Street View on indoor locations

Street View is not limited to outdoor streets. Many businesses, museums, restaurants, and public buildings have indoor Street View coverage. When you search for a business on Google Maps, look for a blue "Street View available" label or a thumbnail showing an interior space. Tap or click it to explore inside.

Navigation works the same way as outdoor Street View — use arrows to move between rooms or areas, and drag or swipe to change your viewing direction. This is particularly helpful for previewing a restaurant's dining area, checking out a hotel lobby, or touring a museum before you visit.

Street View on different devices and browsers

Street View works on all major browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — as long as you have an internet connection. On desktop, performance is usually smooth, but very old computers may experience lag when loading high-resolution images.

Mobile Street View works on both iOS and Android through the Google Maps app. The experience is slightly different on each platform, but the core features are identical. If you are using an older phone with limited memory, Street View may load more slowly or show lower-resolution images.

You can also access Street View through Google Earth, which offers similar street-level photography alongside satellite imagery and 3D terrain views.

Troubleshooting when Street View will not load

If Street View is not loading or appears blank, first check your internet connection — Street View requires a stable connection to read high-resolution images. Refresh the page or close and reopen Google Maps.

If the problem persists, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. On mobile, force-close the Google Maps app and reopen it. If Street View still does not work, the location you are searching for may not have Street View coverage available yet.

In rare cases, a location may be intentionally blocked from Street View for privacy reasons. Government buildings, military installations, and some private properties do not appear in Street View.

Sharing Street View links and embedding views

You can share a specific Street View location with others by clicking the share button (usually a box with an arrow) in the top menu. This generates a link that opens Street View at exactly the spot you were viewing. The recipient does not need to search for the address themselves.

If you want to embed Street View on a website, Google provides embed code through the share menu. Select "Embed a map" and choose Street View from the options. This is useful for real estate listings, travel blogs, or business websites that want to show visitors what a location looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Street View to see my own house?

Yes, Street View covers most residential streets in cities and suburbs. If you want to blur or remove your house from Street View for privacy, you can request this through Google Maps by reporting the image. Google reviews these requests and may blur your property if you provide proof of ownership.

Why is Street View blurry or pixelated in some areas?

Google automatically blurs faces and license plates for privacy. If an entire building or area is blurred, it was likely requested by the property owner or is restricted for security reasons. Some older Street View images are also lower resolution than newer ones.

How often does Google update Street View photos?

Update frequency varies by location. Major cities may be photographed every few years, while rural areas might go a decade or more between updates. You can see the date of the current image in the top left corner of Street View.

Can I use Street View offline?

No, Street View requires an active internet connection to load images. You cannot read Street View photos for offline use, though you can take screenshots on your device.

Does Street View work in every country?

Street View is available in over 80 countries, but coverage varies significantly. Most of Europe, North America, and developed areas in Asia have good coverage. Some countries have limited or no Street View due to government restrictions or privacy laws.