Guide · 4 November 2026
Google Timeline alternative on iPhone
Google Maps can save visits and routes on an iPhone when Timeline is on. PathPal is a separate app with its own automatic activity timeline.
What Google Timeline does on iPhone
Google describes Timeline as a Google Account setting. On devices where you are signed in and Timeline is on, it keeps a personal map of places, routes, and trips. Google's help pages say Timeline stays off until you opt in.
When Timeline is on, Google says the phone's precise location is saved to the Timeline on that device, including while Google apps are not open. An encrypted backup on Google's servers is optional. Google says that backup is how you can import the history onto another device if you lose or replace the phone.
On iPhone, Google's steps say Timeline can work properly when Location for the Google app is set to Always and Background App Refresh is on. You can edit Timeline, delete Timeline data, and export a file named location-history.json from the Google Maps app.
Why people look for another timeline
Timeline answers “where did I go?” inside Google Maps, for a Google Account. That is enough for many people. Others want the day as its own activity log: stops, routes, and a timeline they can correct, in an app that is separate from Google Maps.
Google also ties the on-device history to each signed-in phone. Moving that history to a new iPhone is the job of the optional backup. People who want a dedicated record of the day, or who would rather leave Google Timeline off, end up looking at other apps.
How PathPal differs
PathPal is an iPhone app for an automatic activity timeline. It is separate from Google Maps and from Google Timeline. You can leave Timeline off and still use PathPal, and you can also use both. The PathPal website does not describe a way to import or export a Google location-history.json file.
PathPal records activities, routes, and visited places without asking you to start and stop each activity. You can edit the timeline, see historical locations and routes on a map, and use automatic recognition of transport modes. It can share an image of a route, open navigation to a saved location, and show activity charts.
With location access set to Always, PathPal uses approximately 3–5% of battery per day. Actual battery use may vary depending on your device and usage conditions.
Arc Timeline and Replay are other automatic timeline apps for iPhone. The Moves guide compares the features those publishers state with the features stated for PathPal. This page does not rank them.
PathPal
If you want the day recorded as a timeline on your iPhone, PathPal is one app built for that. It does not replace Google Maps for search and directions. Confirm the current device requirements on the App Store before you install.
Download on the App StoreQuestions
Does PathPal use my Google Timeline?
No. PathPal is a separate app. Turning Google Timeline on or off is a Google Account choice, and it is not required to use PathPal. The PathPal website does not describe a way to copy Timeline data in or out.
Do I need to start and stop recording?
No. PathPal supports automatic activity recording, so you do not need to manually start and stop each activity.
How much battery does Always location use in PathPal?
With location access set to Always, PathPal uses approximately 3–5% of your battery per day. Actual battery use may vary depending on your device and usage conditions.
Can I edit the PathPal timeline?
Yes. You can manually edit your activity timeline and view historical locations and routes on a map.