If you are looking at someone's Location History and notice missing data or incorrect movement, the issue is almost always due to a loss of internet connection or power on their device.
Why is Location History Incomplete (Gaps in the Timeline)?
The app can only record data when the device is fully functional.
- No Internet, No Record: Location history is only recorded when the device is on and has an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data). If the user travelled through an area with no signal, the record will have a gap.
- Device Off or Dead: If the device was switched off or ran out of battery, tracking stopped. The timeline will resume once the device is turned back on.
- App Uninstalled/Logged Out: If the app is logged out or deleted from the phone, the tracking stops, and we cannot get the locations back from this period.
- History Before Install: There is no way for us to receive any location data from before the app was installed onto the device and permissions were accepted.
Why Does the Location Seem Inaccurate or "Stuck"?
- Poor Signal: Sometimes, a location may appear "stuck" if the device is in an area with a poor GPS signal (like a basement, tunnel, or large building).
- Will Update: The location will update automatically once the device moves into an area with a better signal.
- Restart: Simply restarting the phone can often solve minor glitches that cause the location data to hang.