Updating your home address in Google Maps is a straightforward process, but recent shifts in how Google handles location data mean the setting now carries different privacy implications than in previous years. Whether you are moving to a new residence or correcting an old pin, ensuring your “Home” label is accurate is necessary for commute predictions and location-based reminders across the Google ecosystem.
As of 2025, Google has largely completed its transition to local on-device storage for location history. This change means that while your home address still syncs across your Google Account to facilitate navigation, the detailed “Timeline” of your movements is no longer accessible via a web browser and is instead encrypted on your specific hardware.
How to Update Home Address on Mobile (Android and iOS)
The mobile application is the primary hub for managing labeled locations. The interface has evolved to prioritize the “Saved” tab for all personalized data.
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
- Tap the Saved icon located in the bottom navigation bar.
- Scroll down or select Labeled from the list of categories.
- Locate the Home entry. Tap the three dots (menu) next to the address.
- Select Edit home.
- Enter the new address or drag the pin on the map to the precise location, then tap Save.
Updating via Web Browser or Google Account
If you prefer using a desktop, you can still modify your address through the Google Maps website or your central account settings. Note that while you can change the address here, you can no longer view your travel history on the web due to the discontinuation of the web-based Timeline interface in late 2024.
To change the address on the Google Maps website, click inside the search box in the top-left corner. If you are signed in, “Home” will appear as a suggested destination with an “Edit” button next to it. Alternatively, you can manage this globally by visiting the Google Account ‘Personal info’ page and selecting “Addresses,” which updates the information for Maps, Assistant, and other Google services simultaneously.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Any backups of your Timeline data sent to Google’s servers are end-to-end encrypted. This ensures that even if you choose to back up your device’s Timeline data to the cloud to simplify a move to a new phone, Google cannot access that history without your device-level authentication.
For users seeking an additional layer of residential privacy, Google Maps offers a permanent “Blur” feature for Street View. This is independent of your “Home” label settings. To request this, you must navigate to your home in Street View on a desktop, click “Report a problem” in the bottom-right corner, and follow the prompts to request a permanent blur of your property. Once applied, this change cannot be reversed, providing a permanent shield for your home’s exterior from public view.
