Google to End Earth Pro Desktop Downloads in 2027

The company will discontinue new downloads of the desktop application on June 25, 2027, as it pivots to web-based tools.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Geography

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a floating wireframe globe fragment and a digital marker pin, representing digital spatial software transition. — Google announced it will discontinue downloads of the Earth Pro desktop application in June 2027 as it migrates to web-based platforms. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you prefer using desktop applications over web-based tools for your professional work?

Google will stop offering new Google Earth Pro desktop downloads starting June 25, 2027. Existing installations of the software will continue to function after the deadline.

Why it matters

The transition is designed to move user workflows from legacy desktop applications to web-based platforms. These updates incorporate new editing tools and prepare for advanced AI-assisted spatial features.

The platform supports imports for KML, KMZ, GeoJSON, and shapefiles with a limit of 10,000 features per editable Map Features import. Automatic saving for local KML files remains exclusive to Chromium-based desktop browsers.

The players

Google

This multinational technology company specializes in internet-related services and products including search, cloud computing, and mapping software.

The details

Users must migrate data stored in legacy browser-based local systems by January 14, 2027. Workflows can be maintained by exporting My Places folders as KML or KMZ files, while a new local editor allows for modification of files directly from a computer without cloud upload.

January 14, 2027: Deadline to move legacy browser-stored KML data.
June 25, 2027: Deadline for new Google Earth Pro desktop downloads.

The Big Picture

The deprecation of the Google Earth Pro desktop application follows a broader industry trend of sunsetting legacy local software in favor of cloud-integrated web services. This shift confirms the transition toward centralized, web-accessible platforms for geospatial data analysis.

Users currently relying on the desktop version for offline KML file management will need to transition to web-based tools or export their data to preserve their work. These changes will impact how professionals organize, import, and save large datasets across web browsers.

The takeaway

Users should begin migrating their local data to web-friendly formats like KML or KMZ well before the upcoming deadlines. Preparing these files early ensures a seamless transition to the new browser-based editing environment.