A locator globe is a small map inset that shows you exactly where the main 3D view is centered, like a "You Are Here" marker for digital globes.
What’s going on here?
You’re looking at a tiny globe in the corner that gives you the big picture—literally. It shows your current position on Earth so you don’t waste time spinning the globe aimlessly.
How do I turn it on in Google Earth (2026 version)?
- Fire up Google Earth on your desktop or open the web version. Just make sure you’ve got version 11.3 or newer.
- Head to View → Navigation → Show Navigation. A wee globe and compass should pop up in the top-right corner.
- If you only see the compass, click the gear icon next to it and flip on “Show Global Overview”.
- Spin the globe around. The shaded section matches your main view—like a breadcrumb trail showing where you are.
That didn’t work. Now what?
- Mobile users (Android or iPhone): Tap the side menu → Settings → Navigation and switch on “Mini Globe.” Close and reopen the app to see it in action.
- CesiumJS developers: Drop this line into your viewer config:
scene.globe.depthTestAgainstTerrain = true;. The locator globe will magically appear in the bottom-right corner. - ArcGIS Earth fans: Hit the “Home” globe icon in the toolbar—it’s a toggle for the locator panel.
How can I keep this from breaking in the future?
| Action | How often? | What happens? |
|---|---|---|
| Update your globe app | Every month or so | Keeps the locator globe from disappearing |
| Check “Navigation” settings after reinstalling | Just once | Stops the locator from getting turned off accidentally |
| Use the “Reset View” shortcut (Ctrl+0 / Cmd+0) | Right before you share your screen | Puts the locator back in the right spot |
(Here’s a sneaky trick: slap a sticky note on your monitor pointing to the locator during presentations. Your coworkers will stop asking, “Wait… is this Africa or South America?”)
Why does the locator globe sometimes disappear?
Usually it’s because you’ve zoomed in too close or switched to a 2D map view—most apps hide the locator when it’s not useful.
Can I resize or move the locator globe?
Not in most consumer apps, but some developer tools (like CesiumJS) let you tweak its position and size with a bit of code.
Does the locator work in all map projections?
Nope—it typically shows up in 3D globes but not in flat projections like Mercator or Gall-Peters.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to toggle the locator?
Not usually, but you can often toggle it through the View or Navigation menu instead.
Why does my locator globe look stretched or squished?
That usually happens when the app window isn’t square—resize your window to fix it.
Can I customize the locator globe’s appearance?
In most apps, no—but some developer frameworks let you change colors or opacity with extra code.
Does the locator globe work offline?
Yes, generally. Once you’ve loaded the map data, the locator should still appear even without an internet connection.
Is the locator globe available in Google Earth VR?
Not at the moment—VR mode focuses on immersion, so the locator gets turned off to avoid breaking the experience.
Can I use the locator globe in my own web app?
Absolutely. Libraries like CesiumJS and Deck.gl support locator globes with just a few lines of code.
Why does the locator sometimes lag behind the main view?
That usually means your device is struggling with rendering—try closing other apps to free up some power.
Are there alternatives to a locator globe?
Sure—some apps use a minimap, a compass ring, or even a simple arrow to show your position.
Can I disable the locator globe permanently?
Yep. Just go into your app’s Navigation or Settings menu and turn it off—no harm done.
