Google Takeout Export Guide

Google Takeout Export Guide – Get Your Full Location History for TimeTrack Pro (2026 Edition)

Google Takeout is the official way to download a complete archive of your Location History from Google's cloud servers. It includes data that may no longer be on your current phone (older entries, deleted points if backed up, multi-device sync). This makes Takeout essential for long-term archives, recovering missing periods, or getting everything in one file when direct device export is limited. TimeTrack Pro imports Takeout JSON files perfectly — giving you rich metadata (accuracy, velocity, activity type) for commute logs, travel journals, fitness mapping, mileage proof, productivity audits, family safety review, or personal reflection. This step-by-step guide covers the entire Takeout process in 2026: creating the export, choosing options, downloading & unzipping, handling large archives, privacy during download, combining with direct exports, troubleshooting common issues (empty files, slow exports, errors), device tips, and best practices for clean imports into TimeTrack Pro. All steps tested on current takeout.google.com interface (January 2026).

1. When to Use Google Takeout (vs Direct Device Export)

Situation Direct Device Export Google Takeout Recommendation
Recent data (last few months) Fast, JSON default, rich metadata Slower, same data Direct preferred
Old data (>6–12 months) May be missing (device storage limit) Full cloud archive Takeout required
Large/multi-year history Limited by device Complete backup Takeout
Deleted points (if backed up) Gone May include Takeout
Multi-device sync Current device only All synced data Takeout

Use direct export for quick recent data; Takeout for archives or recovery.

2. Step-by-Step: Creating a Google Takeout Location History Export

  1. Open browser (Chrome recommended, incognito for extra privacy)
  2. Go to takeout.google.com
  3. Sign in with the Google account used for Location History
  4. Click "Deselect all" (top right) — unchecks everything
  5. Scroll to "Location History" → check the box
  6. Click "All location history data included" → choose date range (custom or all time)
  7. Optional: exclude semantic data if concerned (but keeps timestamps/locations)
  8. Click OK → back to main page
  9. Click "Next step"
  10. Delivery method: "Send download link via email" (default)
  11. File type & frequency: .zip, Export once
  12. File size: 2 GB (default) — larger if history big (up to 50 GB)
  13. Click "Create export"
  14. Wait: progress shown — 5 minutes to hours/days for large histories
  15. Email arrives: "Your Google data archive is ready"
  16. Click link → download .zip files (multiple if >2 GB)

Privacy tip: use incognito, download on secure network, delete email/link after.

3. Downloading, Unzipping & Preparing Files for TimeTrack Pro

  1. Download all .zip parts (if multiple)
  2. Unzip: right-click → Extract all (Windows) or double-click (Mac/Android)
  3. Folder structure: Takeout → Location History → Location History.json (main file) or monthly splits
  4. Use main Location History.json — richest data
  5. Move JSON to phone Downloads/Documents folder
  6. Open TimeTrack Pro → Import → select file

Large archive tip: import one monthly file at a time → avoids freezes.

4. JSON vs KML in Takeout – Choose JSON

Takeout offers both:

  • JSON: full metadata (accuracy, velocity, activity) — preferred
  • KML: basic routes — for Google Earth only

Always download JSON for TimeTrack Pro.

5. Troubleshooting Common Takeout Issues

  • No email/link: check spam, retry export
  • Empty file: Location History off during period — no data
  • Slow export: large history — wait or narrow date range
  • Multiple .zip files: download all → unzip together
  • Corrupted unzip: re-download
  • Wrong account: sign out/in correct Google account

6. Privacy & Security During Takeout

  • Download temporary — Google deletes archive after 7 days
  • Use incognito browser
  • Secure network (home Wi-Fi)
  • Delete .zip after unzip & import
  • Encrypt in TimeTrack Pro

7. Best Practices Checklist

  • Use incognito
  • Select only Location History
  • Choose JSON
  • Narrow date range for faster export
  • Download all parts
  • Unzip → use main JSON
  • Import to TimeTrack Pro
  • Encrypt sensitive archives
  • Backup offline encrypted
  • Delete download/email

8. Summary

Google Takeout gives complete Location History archives — perfect for long-term TimeTrack Pro use. Follow steps for JSON download, import directly, and encrypt for privacy. Combine with direct exports for best results.

Stuck on Takeout download or empty archive? Email [email protected] with details — direct help available.