What's new in Google Earth for Android is a time travel to feature

An experimental feature of Google Earth allows you to view satellite or aerial images from previous years. You need to enable it manually.

A developer has discovered a feature in Google Earth for Android that lets you view past satellite images and thus go back in time. A rooted phone is required to test it, but it is expected to be available to all users in the future.

When we talk about maps, the first thing that comes to mind is Google Maps. However, Google Earth - released in 2001 - provides a 3D representation of the Earth based on millions of images.

Our planet is constantly changing. Some areas are not what they used to be years ago. A practical way to visualize, for example, humanity's ability to populate the planet or climate change is to explore it with Google Earth.

The program added in 2016 a function called "Timelapse", which allows you to move forward or backward in time in certain areas of the globe. However, this feature is not available on Android, but Google is already testing it experimentally on mobile phones.

How 'Timelapse' works in Google Earth for Android

As you can see in the video, the user interface changes significantly compared to the web version. A slider allows you to jump in time very easily, although it is also possible to go to a specific date.

One of the most interesting features of this Google Earth feature is the ability to "travel" to very remote decades. For example, you can see San Francisco from the 1930s and 1950s. If you wonder how this is possible, the answer is simple: it is not satellite images, but aerial captures that have been digitized.

The feature also allows you to go back in time in other areas outside the United States, although the experience, according to Wccftech, may not be as good. Jumps in time may be limited or some images may not be available.

Kyler Jeffrey, the developer who discovered the experimental function, told Reddit that to activate the map history in Android it is necessary to have a rooted phone, that is, free and unrestricted access to all Android functions, something that can be dangerous.

The process to activate the Google Earth history is somewhat complex and requires manually modifying the system preferences file. If you want to try it at your own risk, here you can find a detailed explanation.