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Google killed Maps Timeline, so I self-hosted a better one [OwnTracks]
(www.androidauthority.com)
this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2025
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How exactly does it work from your phone's perspective? Does it hook into Google Play Services location data? Do you need to install a different low-level application that replicates that functionality? (If so, what's the battery life impact like?) Does it need a foregrounded app?
I'm really interested in this, because like the author I'm really upset at Google killing yet another incredibly useful feature. But the article is a little light on details.
The article said there's a phone companion app
But not exactly how the app works. If it's a Strava-like app you have to remember to run in the foreground, the value is a lot lower to me than something that either uses or replicates GPS' automatic background behaviour.