Places watches for the spots where you stop and spend time, then works out what they are. Most of the time it gets the name right on its own. This guide covers how that works, and what to do when it does not.
How a visit becomes a place
When you settle somewhere for a while, the app records a visit. It then matches the location against places you have confirmed before, and against a global venue database, to suggest a name. The first time you visit somewhere new, you may see it asking to be identified.
Confirming and fixing places
Tap any visit on your timeline to confirm or change its place. Your confirmations are the strongest signal the app has: once you tell it a spot is your home, your gym or your favorite cafe, every future visit there is recognized automatically.
Custom places
Not everywhere is a public venue. You can create your own custom places, like Home, Work, or a friend's house, and they stay yours: custom places are private to your account.
When it gets it wrong
Dense neighborhoods and tall buildings can confuse any location system. If a visit lands on the wrong venue, correct it once and the app learns. The more you confirm, the sharper your history gets.