Use Timelapse in Google Earth

Tour the world and see how our planet has changed over time through a global time-lapse video of the planet from 1984 to today.

When you open Timelapse in Google Earth, the animation begins.

Important: Timelapse in Google Earth displays time-lapse videos on the 3D globe, which means it uses a lot of bandwidth. For low bandwidth environments, or on older devices, it might take longer for imagery to come into focus as you pan and zoom. The feature is available on both web and mobile, and we recommend that you connect to WiFi.

Open Timelapse in Google Earth

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Earth app .
2. At the top, tap Voyager .
3. Tap Layers Timelapse in Google Earth.

Explore the world with Timelapse in Google Earth

There are 3 ways to explore Timelapse in Google Earth:

Discover Stories

Choose from thematic stories that show global changes and explain their causes.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Earth app .
2. At the top, tap Voyager .
3. Tap Layers  Timelapse in Google Earth.
4. In the "Timelapse in Google Earth window," swipe up.
5. Tap Stories and choose a story.
   • To move between locations: At the bottom, tap the arrows.
   • To end the story and return to Timelapse: At the bottom left, tap Timelapse in Google Earth.

Tour Featured Locations

Explore interesting imagery through curated lists of locations around the planet.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Earth app .
2. At the top, tap Voyager .
3. Tap Layers  Timelapse in Google Earth.
4. Tap Featured Locations.
5. Select a category. Then, select a place that interests you.
   • To navigate to another location: On the list below select a place.
   • To view all of the featured location categories: On the bottom left, tap Back.
   • To share a Featured Location story: Tap the location name. Then, tap Share  and follow the on-screen instructions.

Search for any location

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Earth app .
2. At the top, tap Voyager .
3. Tap Layers Timelapse in Google Earth.
4. In the “Search the planet...” field, enter the location.

Control time animations

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Earth app .
2. At the top, tap Voyager .
3. Tap Layers Timelapse in Google Earth.
4. You can control animations:
   • To control the animations: Use Pause and Play .
   • To navigate to a specific date: Touch and hold the timeline. Then, slide to a date of your choice.

Exit Timelapse in Google Earth

At the top left, tap Back .