What is location history?¶
Location history is a stored record of places or movements associated with a device or account over time.
What this means¶
It may be created by the operating system, a cloud account, a map service, a fitness app, a photograph library or another application.
The record can include coordinates, place names, routes, timestamps, visits and movement estimates.
But location history is not always complete.
It depends on settings, permissions, connectivity, battery state, device use and provider design.
Some periods may be missing.
Other points may be inferred or grouped into visits.
The history may also combine data from several linked devices using the same account.
This can create a misleading impression that one phone generated every point.
Corroborate with CCTV, travel, transactions, communications, device use and witnesses.
Where lawful and appropriate, preserve the account records early because history can be edited, disabled or deleted.
The operational takeaway is: location history is an account or device-based movement record, not a perfect diary of a person. Establish the source, linked devices and gaps before relying on it.
What to check or do next¶
- Investigators should identify the account, source device, data type, time zone and accuracy.
- Ask whether the record represents raw coordinates, estimated visits, route calculations or synchronised account history.
Evidential limits¶
Do not assume that the person associated with the account carried the device throughout.