Earth

How to

What is Google Earth?

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How often is the imagery in Google Earth updated?
    Google Earth displays the best available imagery, most of which is one to three years old. The information in Google Earth is collected over time and is not in real time. It is not possible to see live changes in images. You can read more about Understanding Google Earth imagery within the Help center.

    We add data to our Primary Database on a regular basis. Each month we highlight the newest additions to Google Earth content and news. If you haven't subscribed to The Sightseer, check the Google Earth Community forum for previous editions.

  2. Why do I see blurry imagery in Google Earth?
    Google Earth combines data of different resolution to offer a seamless viewing experience, so some locations look a bit blurry. We offer high resolution imagery (greater than 1-meter) for thousands of cities and more are on the way. If you are experiencing extremely blurry imagery in various places within Google Earth, try visiting the Connection Issues Troubleshooter.

  3. Will my computer, phone or tablet be able to run Google Earth?
    Google Earth takes advantage of the 3D graphics capabilities standard on newer desktops and laptops. In general, the performance of Google Earth largely depends on the 3D graphics capabilities of your computer. To learn more, check out the System Requirements.

  4. Earth just crashed. What do I do?
    Google Earth requires the use of a graphics card or an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with 3D capabilities to run. These devices enable a computer to process and deliver graphics, animation, and videos. There are several reasons why Google Earth might display strange graphics behavior or suddenly crash, but the most common reasons are:
    • An outdated graphics card
    • A corrupt myplaces.kml file that is crashing your system upon launch
    • An issue with DirectX or OpenGL (Windows only)

    In most cases, you should be able to resolve your issue by following the steps outlined in the Crashing and graphics issue section.

  5. Where can I get more help?
    For the Google Earth free client, check out various support options. If you have questions related to Google Earth Pro, you can visit the Pro Support site.

  6. Can I access Flight Simulator on Google Earth for mobile?
    At this time there is no way to access Flight Simulator on Google Earth for mobile.
     
  7. Can I access Street View on Google Earth for mobile?
    On Android, Street View can be accessed with Google Earth versions 7.1 and above. Simply zoom into an area you'd like to explore and Pegman will appear in the right hand corner. Drag and drop the Pegman into the street and you'll be greeted by familiar Street View interface. On iOS, currently you can access Street view from Google Maps application.