July 18, 2025, 4:01 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
For months, a trend has been circulating on TikTok where users virtually travel back in time by accessing old versions of their homes on Google Street View. Some of the videos have garnered millions of views and showcase a Google Maps feature that few are aware of.
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In many of the shared videos, users discover long-deceased family members on the porch, in front of local businesses, or at the hairdresser, and see younger versions of themselves by the roadside. They access old imagery from Google Street View, as reported by “ZDNet.”
This feature in Google Maps is not new, but TikTok has turned the search for forgotten moments into a real trend. TECHBOOK shows you how it works.
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Accessing Old Street View Imagery in Google Maps
Google provides the historical imagery not only in the Google Maps app for Android and iOS but also in the browser, where older Street View images can be accessed.
Note: For locations in Germany, the feature is currently unavailable. Street View was only available in a limited capacity in selected cities until a few years ago. It wasn’t until July 2023 that Google released a completely new coverage that now includes most of the country.
Google Maps App
Open the Google Maps app and search for the location you want to explore. You need to press and hold the exact spot on the map you wish to open in Street View. A small preview window will appear above the marked address if Street View data is available. Click on it to open the street view. The address and the age of the imagery will appear at the bottom of the screen. Right next to it, you’ll see the option “Show more time periods.” Click on it to view the available imagery from previous years.
Also read: Hidden Feature in Google Earth Shows Historical Maps
Google Maps for Browser
Search for a location in Google Maps and then click on a specific spot you want to see–Street View will appear directly as an option at the bottom of the screen (if available). A box with the date of the image and the option to display more data will appear in the top left. As in the app version, you can then select imagery from different years at the bottom of the screen.