Hidden Google Maps feature lets users revisit the past

A hidden feature in Google Maps has gone viral on TikTok, as users discover they can view street-level images of their homes from previous years. For many, it has become an unexpectedly emotional experience — spotting late family members on porches, seeing childhood moments frozen in time, or noticing once-familiar objects now long gone.

Though the feature is not new, it has recently resurfaced in the public eye. As reported by zdnet.com, users around the world have been exploring older versions of their neighborhoods through Google Street View’s archive, using it as a digital time machine to reconnect with the past.

To try it, users must:

1. Open Google Maps via desktop or mobile app  
2. Enter any address — a current home, childhood home, or other familiar place  
3. Drag the yellow Pegman icon to the street to access Street View  
4. Look for the clock icon or the option “See more dates”  
5. Select a date to view historical imagery captured by Google’s Street View cars

Some locations have archived views going as far back as 2007, allowing users to track changes over the years. Depending on when the mapping vehicles passed by, it’s possible to see people, pets, or details that bring back powerful memories.

The function has gained popularity not just for its nostalgic value, but for the deeply personal moments it can unexpectedly reveal. With just a few clicks, users find themselves face to face with snapshots of the past they didn’t know were preserved — making this digital archive a surprisingly moving feature of a widely used app.