Data Export Guide Android

How to Export Your Android Location Timeline – Complete 2026 Guide for TimeTrack Pro

TimeTrack Pro is designed to work exclusively with your phone's own location history exports. It never accesses live GPS, never runs in the background, never connects to the internet after installation, and never uploads or shares anything. All data processing happens locally on your device after you manually export files from Android's built-in systems (Google Location History). This comprehensive guide explains every current export method as of January 2026 (Android 14–16, One UI 7–8, HyperOS 2, OxygenOS 15–16, Nothing OS 3, stock Pixel, custom ROMs like GrapheneOS/CalyxOS/LineageOS), exact step-by-step instructions for every major manufacturer, file format differences (JSON vs KML), privacy implications at every step, common failure points with fixes, best practices for clean and reliable exports, how to handle very large histories, alternative sources when direct export fails, how to verify data before import, what to do with empty or corrupted files, and advanced techniques for power users. Whether you are exporting weekly for daily review, monthly for commute logs, yearly for tax mileage proof, or archiving years for personal memories, this guide covers everything you need.

1. Why Exporting Is Required – And Why TimeTrack Pro Uses This Approach

Since Android 10, Google has blocked third-party apps from directly reading live Location History for privacy reasons. The only official ways to access your data are:

  • Direct export from the device (fastest, most recent data, usually JSON format)
  • Google Takeout (full cloud archive, can include older or deleted entries, JSON or KML)

TimeTrack Pro respects this completely. It is a passive viewer: you export the file once (or periodically), import it manually, and the app parses and displays the data 100% offline. There are no background services, no network calls, no analytics, no crash reporting (unless you opt-in), and no permissions beyond temporary storage access during import. This design gives you total control: you decide exactly which periods to import, you can delete everything instantly (Settings → Delete all imported data), and you can encrypt stored files with AES-256 (Settings → Encryption → set your own password). Forgotten password means permanent loss — no backdoor, no recovery.

Exporting once every week or month keeps your view current without any ongoing battery or privacy cost from the app itself. All battery/privacy considerations in this guide relate only to the phone's location recording system before export.

2. Prerequisites – Quick 60-Second Check Before Exporting

Before attempting any export, verify these five points (most failures come from skipping them):

  1. Location History is enabled: Settings → Google → Manage your Google Account → Data & privacy → Location History → Turn on (must be on during the period you want to export)
  2. Data exists to export: Open Google Maps → tap profile picture → Your Timeline → check recent days. If empty, no export will work — move around for a few hours with location on
  3. Phone is charged and cool: Exports can take 1–5 minutes for large ranges; low battery or overheating can interrupt
  4. Enough free storage: 1 year of JSON ≈ 50–400 MB; 5 years can exceed 1 GB. Free at least 2× expected file size
  5. Android 10 or newer: Older versions have limited or no JSON export; Android 16 is current in 2026

If Location History was off during a period you care about, that data is permanently lost — Google does not retroactively backfill.

3. Method 1 – Direct Device Export (Fastest, Recommended for Most Users)

This method extracts recent data directly from your phone. It is the quickest (1–4 minutes), produces the richest metadata (accuracy radius, velocity, activity type, altitude when available), and usually gives smaller files than Takeout. Android 15/16 defaults to JSON.

Step-by-Step – Stock Android / Pixel / Nothing / Fairphone / GrapheneOS / CalyxOS (2026)

  1. Open Settings app
  2. Scroll to or search for "Location"
  3. Tap Location (or Privacy → Location)
  4. Tap Location services or Google Location Accuracy
  5. Tap See your timeline, Your timeline, or Timeline
  6. Tap the three-dot menu (top right) or Export / Download your data
  7. Select date range: custom range recommended (avoid "All time" for very large histories)
  8. Choose format: JSON if available (strongly preferred for TimeTrack Pro)
  9. Tap Export / Create export / Download
  10. Wait 10–90 seconds (progress bar may appear on newer Android)
  11. File saves automatically to Downloads folder (usually named Timeline.json, LocationHistory.json, or similar)
  12. Open Files app → Downloads → locate the file
  13. (Optional) Move to a safe folder (Documents or encrypted storage)
  14. Open TimeTrack Pro → tap Import → select the file → choose date range if needed → import

Manufacturer-Specific Paths (2026 Skins)

  • Samsung One UI 7/8: Settings → Location → Location services → Google Location Accuracy → Timeline → Export timeline data
  • Xiaomi / Poco / Redmi HyperOS 2: Settings → Location → Google Location → Timeline → Export data
  • OnePlus OxygenOS 15/16: Same as stock Android – Settings → Location → Timeline
  • Realme UI 6 (ColorOS base): Settings → Location → Google services → Timeline export
  • Huawei HarmonyOS 4/5 (no Google services): Settings → Privacy → Location services → Timeline → Export (Huawei proprietary format, may need manual conversion to JSON)
  • Nothing Phone (2/2a) – Nothing OS 3: Identical to Pixel/stock path
  • Fairphone 5 (stock Android): Exact stock steps
  • GrapheneOS / CalyxOS / LineageOS: No Google Timeline by default. Use microG (if installed) or export device logs manually via ADB or logcat tools

4. Method 2 – Google Takeout (Full Archive, Older or Deleted Data)

Use Takeout when direct export misses old entries, deleted data, or you want everything in one go. It pulls from Google's cloud backup and can take longer (minutes to hours depending on history size).

Step-by-Step (Any Browser – Phone or Computer)

  1. Open browser (Chrome recommended) → go to https://takeout.google.com
  2. Sign in with the Google account that has your Location History
  3. Click Deselect all (top right)
  4. Scroll down the list → check only the box for Location History
  5. Click "All location history data included" → select date range if needed (or leave as all)
  6. Click Next step
  7. Delivery method: Send download link via email (default)
  8. File type: .zip
  9. Frequency: Export once
  10. Click Create export
  11. Wait for email (usually 5 minutes to 2 hours; check spam folder)
  12. Click the link in email → download the .zip file
  13. Unzip on phone or PC → find main file: Location History.json (or monthly splits like 2025-01.json)
  14. Transfer to phone Downloads or Documents folder if needed
  15. Open TimeTrack Pro → Import → select the JSON file(s) → import

Takeout-Specific Tips & Warnings

  • Use the main Location History.json file — ignore monthly splits unless you are combining manually
  • Large archives (>500 MB) → import one month/quarter at a time in TimeTrack Pro to avoid freezes
  • Takeout often includes older data not present on current phone (cloud-synced before deletion)
  • Older Takeout exports (pre-2022) may lack velocity, activity type, or accuracy radius
  • Privacy note: File downloads directly to your device — Google never sees TimeTrack Pro or what you do with the data
  • If email never arrives: Check spam, retry export, or use incognito browser

5. JSON vs KML – Detailed Comparison & Recommendation

Feature JSON (Direct export default 2025–2026) KML (Takeout or older exports)
Metadata included Timestamp, latitude, longitude, accuracy radius (m), altitude (m), velocity (m/s), heading, activity type (walking, in vehicle, on bicycle, etc.), sometimes inferred place name Timestamp, latitude, longitude, basic altitude, path lines
File size (1 year typical) 50–400 MB 20–150 MB
Import speed in TimeTrack Pro Fast parsing, excellent for search/copy-time Slower, less metadata
Best for TimeTrack Pro Everything: copy-time, search, future stats (distance, speed, mode detection), mileage proof, routine analysis Basic route visualization (Google Earth export)
Availability in 2026 Default in direct device export Takeout option or older direct exports

Strong recommendation: Always choose JSON from direct export when available. It unlocks the full power of TimeTrack Pro features (copy-time one-tap timestamps, future distance/altitude/speed calculations, activity filtering). Use KML only if you specifically want to view paths in Google Earth or other map tools.

6. Common Export Problems & Real Fixes (2026 Troubleshooting)

Problem 1: Export button missing, grayed out, or no Timeline option

  • Cause: Location History never enabled, or no data recorded yet
  • Fix: Settings → Google → Location History → Turn on → move around for 2–24 hours → retry

Problem 2: Exported file is empty or "No locations found" after import

  • Cause: Wrong Google account, paused history, or date range with no movement
  • Fix: Verify account in Google Maps → Your Timeline → re-export with known active days

Problem 3: Export very slow, times out, or crashes

  • Cause: "All time" range too large (>1–2 years)
  • Fix: Export 1–3 months at a time → import sequentially in TimeTrack Pro

Problem 4: Permission denied or file not visible/selectable

  • Cause: Scoped storage restrictions (Android 11+)
  • Fix: Export directly to Downloads folder → use built-in Files app to locate

Problem 5: Timestamps shifted by hours or wrong timezone

  • Cause: Phone timezone changed during export or import
  • Fix: Ensure phone timezone correct → re-export

Problem 6: File too large to import (freeze or crash in TimeTrack Pro)

  • Cause: >200–500 MB on low-RAM devices
  • Fix: Export smaller ranges → close other apps → charge phone >50% → set TimeTrack Pro to Unrestricted battery

7. Best Practices for Reliable, Clean Exports Every Time

  1. Export frequently in small batches (weekly or monthly) — avoids massive files (>500 MB) that load slowly or crash parsers
  2. Always prefer JSON from direct device export — richer metadata (accuracy, velocity, activity)
  3. Verify data exists first — open Google Maps → Your Timeline → check recent days
  4. Use Battery saving mode for ongoing collection — good enough accuracy, minimal drain
  5. Export to Downloads or Documents folder — easiest to find in Files app
  6. Move exports to safe/encrypted folder after download — avoid losing them
  7. Backup exports to USB drive, SD card, or encrypted cloud (your choice)
  8. After successful import to TimeTrack Pro — delete old exports if space is low
  9. Enable TimeTrack Pro encryption (Settings → Encryption) for sensitive periods
  10. Test import with a small 1-week range first when dealing with large histories
  11. Keep phone software updated — export bugs and format improvements happen regularly
  12. Document export dates — helps track which periods are covered

8. Advanced Export Scenarios & Workarounds

Exporting very large multi-year histories

  • Never export "All time" in one go — split into 3–6 month ranges
  • Import one chunk → review → import next → TimeTrack Pro accumulates data
  • Future update may add multi-file combine/merge

No Google services (de-Googled ROMs)

  • GrapheneOS / CalyxOS: Use microG for partial Timeline, or export device logs via ADB/logcat
  • Huawei HarmonyOS: Built-in Huawei timeline export (may need format conversion)

Export from old or lost phone

  • Sign into same Google account on new phone → Takeout pulls all synced cloud history
  • Direct export only shows data stored locally on current device

Exporting activity type / velocity data

  • Only available in recent JSON exports (2023+)
  • Helps future TimeTrack Pro features (transport mode detection, speed analysis)

9. Privacy & Security During the Export Process

  • Direct export: File never leaves your device until you move/share it
  • Takeout: Temporary download from Google servers — delete after transfer
  • Use incognito/private browser tab for Takeout if extra paranoid
  • After import to TimeTrack Pro — enable encryption immediately for sensitive periods
  • Delete exports from Downloads folder when done — reduce clutter/risk
  • TimeTrack Pro makes zero network calls — no data ever leaves your phone
  • Optional: Use airplane mode during import/review — maximum isolation

10. After Export – Immediate Next Steps in TimeTrack Pro

  1. Open TimeTrack Pro
  2. Tap Import button
  3. Grant storage permission (one-time)
  4. Select JSON/KML file from Downloads or Documents
  5. Choose date range if file contains multiple periods
  6. Wait for parsing (seconds for small files, 1–5 minutes for large)
  7. View in calendar/list → tap any timestamp to copy instantly
  8. Use search, filter, or future stats features
  9. Backup processed data via app export (future feature planned)
  10. Delete original export if space needed (keep encrypted copy if sensitive)

11. Summary & Expected Results

Exporting is the single bridge between Android/Google's location log and TimeTrack Pro's private viewer. Use direct device export for recent, rich data (JSON preferred), and Google Takeout for full archives or older entries. Follow the best practices (small ranges, Battery saving collection mode, regular exports, encryption) and you will have clean, detailed history with minimal effort. All processing remains 100% on your device — full control, zero network risk, no subscriptions, no tracking.

Stuck on your specific device (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, custom ROM)? Export empty or corrupted? Email [email protected] with model, Android version, exact error message, and screenshot — direct, personal support available.