Google Earth shows you satellite imagery from a specific date, and you can move backward and forward through time using the time slider

Not all locations have historical imagery available, but where it exists, Google Earth stores multiple satellite photos taken on different dates. To see an older or newer image of a place, you use the time slider — a control that appears at the top of the screen when historical imagery is present. The slider shows you which dates have photos available and lets you jump between them in seconds.

The process differs slightly between Google Earth on the web and the desktop app, but both follow the same basic principle: find the time slider, then drag it to the date you want to see.

Key Takeaways

  • The time slider appears at the top of the screen only when historical imagery exists for that location.
  • On Google Earth web, click the clock icon in the left panel to reveal the time slider if it is not visible.
  • On Google Earth desktop, the time slider is usually visible at the top; if not, check the View menu for display options.
  • Not every location has historical imagery — rural areas and developing regions often have only one or two dates available.
  • Dragging the slider to the left shows older images; dragging right shows newer ones.

Using the time slider on Google Earth web

Open Google Earth in your web browser and navigate to the location you want to examine. Once you have zoomed in on a place, look at the left panel. If historical imagery is available, you will see a clock icon near the top of the panel. Click that clock icon to open the time slider.

The slider will appear as a horizontal bar at the top of the map, showing a range of dates. Each tick mark or label represents a date when a satellite photo was taken. Drag the slider left to see older images or right to see newer ones. As you move the slider, the map updates to show the imagery from that date. You can also click directly on a specific date label to jump to it instantly.

If you do not see the clock icon, it means Google Earth does not have historical imagery for that location. This is common in remote areas, developing regions, and some urban neighborhoods where satellite coverage is limited or infrequent.

Using the time slider on Google Earth desktop

Launch Google Earth on your computer and search for or navigate to your location. The time slider typically appears at the top of the 3D viewer window as a horizontal bar with dates. If you do not see it, open the View menu at the top and look for an option related to the time slider or historical imagery — the exact label varies by version.

Once the time slider is visible, use it the same way as the web version: drag left for older dates or right for newer ones. The map will refresh to show satellite imagery from the date you select. Some versions of the desktop app let you play through dates automatically by clicking a play button on the slider, which cycles through available images in sequence.

What to do when historical imagery is not available

If you navigate to a location and see no time slider at all, Google Earth simply does not have multiple dates of satellite imagery for that area. This happens frequently in less-developed regions, rural areas, and some smaller cities. The satellite imagery you see is the most recent available, but there is no historical data to browse.

In these cases, you have limited options within Google Earth itself. You can try zooming out to a larger region — sometimes the surrounding area has more historical coverage. You can also try searching for the same location on Google Maps Street View, which occasionally has dated photos from different years, though this is not a reliable substitute for satellite imagery.

Understanding what dates are actually available

The time slider shows you only the dates when Google Earth has satellite imagery on file. These dates are not evenly spaced — you might have photos from 2005, 2008, 2012, 2015, and 2023, with nothing in between. Major cities and areas of interest tend to have more frequent updates, while remote locations may have only one or two dates spanning many years.

The most recent imagery is usually several months to a year old, depending on the location. Google Earth does not update all areas simultaneously, so some places receive new satellite photos regularly while others remain unchanged for years. The dates shown on the slider reflect this uneven coverage.

Comparing imagery from different dates side by side

Google Earth does not have a built-in split-screen tool to compare two dates directly. However, you can take screenshots of the same location at different dates and compare them in an image editor, or open Google Earth in two browser windows side by side and set each to a different date. This manual approach is slower but works if you need to see specific changes clearly.

Some third-party tools and websites offer before-and-after comparisons using Google Earth imagery, but these are not part of Google Earth itself and may not have the most current data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the time slider not appear for my location?

Google Earth has historical imagery only for certain areas. Rural regions, developing countries, and some smaller cities often have only current satellite photos with no historical data. If the slider does not appear, that location simply does not have multiple dates available in Google Earth's database.

Can I see real-time satellite imagery on Google Earth?

No. Google Earth imagery is always delayed by several months to over a year, depending on the location. The most recent date on the time slider is the newest available, but it is not live. For real-time satellite data, you would need to use specialized services outside Google Earth.

How far back does Google Earth imagery go?

It varies by location. Major cities may have imagery dating back to the early 2000s, while other areas have only a few years of history. The oldest available date depends on when Google Earth began collecting satellite photos for that specific region and how often it has been updated since.

Can I download historical imagery from Google Earth?

Google Earth's terms of service restrict downloading and storing imagery for most uses. You can take screenshots for personal reference, but bulk downloading or commercial use of satellite photos requires permission from Google or the original imagery provider.

Does the time slider work the same way on mobile Google Earth?

The mobile version of Google Earth has limited historical imagery support. On phones and tablets, the time slider may not appear at all, or it may show fewer dates than the web or desktop versions. For full access to historical imagery, use Google Earth on a computer.