Current imagery automatically displays in Google Earth. To discover how images
have changed over time or view past versions of a map on a timeline:

1. On your device, open [Google
   Earth](https://earth.google.com/).
2. [Search for places](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/earth/search-for-places.md.txt).
3. To view a map over time, you can either:

   - In the toolbar, click ![Globe with a circular arrow](https://developers.google.com/static/maps/documentation/earth/images/historical_imagery.svg) **Historical imagery**.
   - Click **View** ![Globe with a circular arrow](https://developers.google.com/static/maps/documentation/earth/images/historical_imagery.svg) **Historical imagery**.

   > [!NOTE]
   > **Note:** This feature isn't available if you're using the **Map** basemap. To enable this feature, change your basemap to **Satellite**.

4. Select how you want to view the map.

   - **To turn on historical imagery view**, at the top left, click Historical imagery.
   - **To turn on timelapse** , at the top left, click **Timelapse**.
5. A timeline appears. At the top right, click the timeline to explore the map
   over time.

   - **To find a specific time**, you can either:
   - Click the year you want to view in the timeline.
   - Click **Previous** or **Next**.
   - **To lock the latest imagery** , click **Last page**.
   - **To minimize the historical imagery toolbar** , at the top right, click collapse_content **Collapse**.
   - At the top left, the toolbar remains active as a floating chip.
6. To deactivate historical imagery, click ![Globe with a circular arrow](https://developers.google.com/static/maps/documentation/earth/images/historical_imagery.svg) **Historical imagery**.

**Tips:**

- To optimize your viewing experience, 3D buildings feature is turned off when historical imagery is turned on.
- Satellite image availability is represented on the slider.
- Image availability may change as you explore.
- Years are marked by dots. Smaller dots indicate additional months.
- If a previously selected year becomes unavailable, its dot on the slider turns gray.
- Global coverage varies.

## Related resources

- [Find and use location coordinates](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/earth/imagery-dates-alt-coord.md.txt)