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  • Timeline changes

    From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to comp.mobile.android on Sun May 24 09:33:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

    I got a new tablet this week. I configured this and that, then I noticed
    an email that said:

    +++--------------------
    Subject: A new device is saving visits in Timeline

    You previously turned on Timeline for your Google Account. You also
    recently signed into a new smartphone, which is now adding to your
    Timeline for that device.
    --------------------++-

    Uh oh.

    Two devices adding data to the timeline, one sitting at home, and the
    other going around with me, will be confusing.

    So I tried to disable timeline contribution for the tablet. Could not
    find it. I asked ChatGPT, we tried this and that. Impossible. Found
    somewhere in the tablet that lists all the devices in the timeline, but doesn't take taps. Also found the same place on the web (https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols). Can not click on the list.


    Then I actually looked at the timeline in the tablet, and noticed it
    showed a different timeline than the phone. Only three days, and all at
    home.

    ChatGPT said then that Google has changed all this recently, each device
    has a different and isolated timeline (which can be backed up or not),
    but the email was sent by Google with old format in mind.

    Well, I can live with that.
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Frank Slootweg@this@ddress.is.invalid to comp.mobile.android on Sun May 24 10:04:38 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

    Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
    [...]
    Then I actually looked at the timeline in the tablet, and noticed it
    showed a different timeline than the phone. Only three days, and all at home.

    ChatGPT said then that Google has changed all this recently, each device
    has a different and isolated timeline (which can be backed up or not),
    but the email was sent by Google with old format in mind.

    Well, I can live with that.

    Yes, when Google Timeline changed from 'in the cloud' (i.e. the data
    was kept in your Google Account) to 'on-device', the Timeline became device-specific, i.e. a device only keeps the Timeline for that device.

    So your tablet keeps *its* Timeline data and your phone keeps its.

    So once in a while, you have to take your tablet out for a walk, so it
    can get some fresh air/data! :-)

    BTW, the change was not "recently", but a year ago, May 18, 2025 to be precise.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to comp.mobile.android on Sun May 24 21:47:10 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

    On 2026-05-24 12:04, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
    [...]
    Then I actually looked at the timeline in the tablet, and noticed it
    showed a different timeline than the phone. Only three days, and all at
    home.

    ChatGPT said then that Google has changed all this recently, each device
    has a different and isolated timeline (which can be backed up or not),
    but the email was sent by Google with old format in mind.

    Well, I can live with that.

    Yes, when Google Timeline changed from 'in the cloud' (i.e. the data
    was kept in your Google Account) to 'on-device', the Timeline became device-specific, i.e. a device only keeps the Timeline for that device.

    So your tablet keeps *its* Timeline data and your phone keeps its.

    So once in a while, you have to take your tablet out for a walk, so it
    can get some fresh air/data! :-)

    It will go with me when I travel somewhere :-)


    BTW, the change was not "recently", but a year ago, May 18, 2025 to be precise.

    Oh. Did not notice. I have two phones, and on "the other one" timeline
    was simply disabled. No reason to look at it in years.
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2