Web vs app

Web app or APK? What to use to visualize your Timeline.

When this idea started spreading, most walkthroughs pointed people to an Android APK or to an open-source desktop project you build yourself. Both work, and the open-source project is a genuinely good tool. But installing an APK from outside an app store is a real hurdle, and neither option helps iPhone owners. There is a simpler path that needs no install and runs on any phone. Here is an honest comparison so you can pick what fits.

How the options compare

What matters	Web app (this site)	Android APK	Open-source desktop
No install needed	Yes	No	No
Works on iPhone	Yes	No	Varies
Works on Android	Yes	Yes	Varies
Runs in the browser	Yes	No	No
File stays on your device	Yes	Varies	Yes
Free to use	Yes	Varies	Yes

Which should you pick?

Choose the web app if

you just want to open your file and get a video, on any phone or computer, without installing anything. This is the fastest path for most people, and the only one that works the same on iPhone and Android.

Consider an APK if

you are on Android and specifically want a native app. Only install one you trust, from a source you can verify, since APKs sit outside the Play Store review.

Choose the open-source project if

you are comfortable running code yourself and want full control over the tool. It is a great option for developers who prefer to self-host.

Questions people ask

Are APKs safe to install?

An APK installs a full app on your phone from outside the Play Store, so only use one from a source you trust. If you would rather not take that step, the web app does the same job in your browser.

Do I need to install anything for the web app?

No. It opens like any web page. There is nothing to download, and it works on iPhone and Android alike.

Does the web app upload my data?

No. Your Timeline file is read and turned into a video on your device; it is never sent to a server.

Is the web app free?

Yes. You can make and download your video for free, without an account.

Credit where it is due

The open-source Google Timeline visualizer project helped make this idea popular, and it is a great choice if you prefer to run things yourself. This web app exists for everyone who just wants to open a file and get a video, on any device, without installing anything.

Try the web app

Open your Timeline file in the browser, nothing to install.

Open Timeline Visualizer