Changing the year on Google Maps shows you what a location looked like in the past
Google Maps has a built-in time machine called Street View that stores photographs of streets and addresses going back to 2007 in some places. You can flip through different years to see how a neighborhood has changed, watch a building get constructed, or check what a property looked like before you visited. The feature works on both desktop and mobile, though the steps differ slightly between them.
The year-changing tool lives in Street View, not in the regular map view. You enter Street View first, then use the clock icon to jump between the years Google has photographed that location. Not every address has multiple years available — some places have only one or two snapshots, while busy city blocks might have images from ten or more different years.
Key Takeaways
- Street View is a separate mode within Google Maps where you can see ground-level photographs of streets and addresses from different years.
- To change the year, you must first enter Street View by clicking on a location, then look for the clock icon that shows available dates.
- Desktop and mobile have different interfaces for accessing the year selector, but both show the same historical photographs.
- Not all locations have multiple years of imagery — rural areas and less-traveled roads may have only one or two snapshots available.
How to change the year on desktop
Open Google Maps in your web browser and search for the address or location you want to view. Click directly on the street or building in the map view. A panel will open on the left side showing a preview image of that location. Click the preview image or the "Street View" button to enter the full Street View mode.
Once you are in Street View, look at the top left corner of the screen. You will see a small clock icon next to the address. Click that clock icon and a dropdown menu will appear showing all the years Google has photographed that location. Select the year you want to see. The street view will update to show the photograph from that year.
If the clock icon does not appear, that location has only one year of imagery available. You can still navigate Street View by clicking and dragging to look around, or using the arrow buttons to move down the street.
How to change the year on mobile
Open the Google Maps app on your phone and search for the address you want to view. Tap the preview card that appears at the bottom of the screen. This opens a larger preview of the location. Tap the preview image itself to enter Street View.
In Street View on mobile, look at the top of the screen. You will see the address and below it a date. Tap on that date to open the year selector. A list of available years will appear. Tap the year you want to view, and the image will change to show that year's photograph.
On some phones, the date appears in a small bar at the bottom of the screen instead of the top. If you do not see a date anywhere, that location has imagery from only one year. You can still look around by moving your phone or swiping on the screen.
What to do if a location has no historical imagery
Many rural areas, private roads, and less-traveled streets do not have multiple years of Street View coverage. If you search for an address and Street View shows only one year, or if Street View is not available at all, Google straightforward has not photographed that location multiple times.
You can still try searching nearby streets or the main road closest to your location. Google tends to photograph major roads and city centers more frequently than side streets. If you are looking for how a property has changed over time, try zooming out and viewing the surrounding area from different years — that may show you development or changes in the neighborhood even if the exact address has limited coverage.
Why the year you see might not match when the photo was taken
Google updates Street View on a rolling schedule, not all at once. A location might show "2023" but the actual photograph could have been taken in late 2022 or early 2023. Google does not always publish the exact date, only the year. If you need to know precisely when a photograph was taken — for legal or insurance reasons, for example — contact Google directly through the Street View feedback tool rather than relying on the year label alone.
Seasonal changes can also make years look closer together than they are. A street photographed in winter 2021 and summer 2022 might look dramatically different even though only a few months passed. This is normal and does not mean the year label is wrong.
Using historical Street View to check property changes
If you are considering buying or renting a property, viewing multiple years of Street View can show you whether the building or street has been maintained, whether nearby construction has happened, or whether trees and landscaping have grown. This is not a substitute for an in-person visit or a professional inspection, but it can answer quick questions before you schedule a tour.
For renters, checking Street View from a year or two ago can show you whether the landlord has made improvements or whether the building has stayed the same. For property owners, you can document how your own property looked before renovations by saving screenshots from different years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back does Google Street View go?
Street View started in 2007, so the oldest imagery available is from that year. However, most locations do not have coverage going back that far. Major cities typically have images from 2010 or later, while rural areas may have only one or two years of coverage total. The oldest available year for your location will appear first in the year dropdown.
Can I see Street View from inside buildings?
Yes, Google has photographed the interiors of some museums, restaurants, stores, and public buildings. Search for the location and enter Street View the same way. If interior imagery is available, you will be able to navigate inside. The year selector works the same way for interior views as it does for street views.
Why does the same address show different years on desktop and mobile?
This usually means the app and the website have not synced yet, or you are looking at slightly different locations. Try closing the app completely and reopening it, or clearing your browser cache. If the problem continues, the location may genuinely have different imagery available through different devices due to how Google's servers distribute data.
Can I read or save Street View images from different years?
You can take screenshots on your device, but you cannot read the full-resolution images directly from Google Maps. Screenshots are the standard way people save Street View images for personal records or comparisons. For legal or official documentation, contact Google directly about image licensing.
What if I want to report an incorrect year label?
Open Street View and look for the feedback icon, usually a question mark or info symbol at the bottom of the screen. Tap or click it and select the option to report an issue. Describe what year you believe the photo is actually from and why. Google reviews these reports, though they may not respond individually.