Google Earth web vs Earth Pro
The web simulator is the quickest version to try. Earth Pro offers the fuller classic experience, including aircraft and starting-location choices. Google announced the web feature on June 11, 2026; both versions remain available as separate experiences.
| Feature | Web simulator | Earth Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Google Earth on the web, on a computer | Installed Earth Pro on Windows, macOS, or Linux |
| How to open it | Explore Earth → Tools → Flight simulator | Tools → Enter Flight Simulator, or the keyboard shortcut below |
| Aircraft and starting point | Choose Earth Pro for aircraft and airport starts | SR22 or F-16; Current View or an Airport |
| Controls | Page Up/Down, arrow keys, on-screen thrust, mouse toggle | Joystick or mouse and keyboard |
| View | Map has no terrain; Satellite shows photorealistic imagery, with detail loading as you fly | Desktop globe imagery with a head-up display (HUD) for flight information |
| Best for | Casual exploration with simplified physics | Choosing an aircraft, airport, and controller before flying |
| Good to know | Experimental | Keyboard behavior can vary by operating system and keyboard layout |
How to open the web flight simulator
- On a computer, open Google Earth on the web.
- Enter Explore Earth.
- Open Tools, then choose Flight simulator.
Before flying, choose your view. The default Map basemap is an abstract map without terrain. Switch to Satellite to explore photorealistic imagery and 3D detail.
Google still labels the web simulator experimental, so its availability, menu position, and controls may change. If Flight simulator is missing, confirm that you are using Google Earth on a computer and check Google’s current flight-simulator page.
Web flight simulator controls
The web simulator uses a small set of controls. Clicking inside the simulator switches between mouse and keyboard control. Once keyboard control is active, make small inputs while the scenery loads.
| Action | Control | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Increase thrust | Page Up or the on-screen thrust indicator | Use a small change first |
| Decrease thrust | Page Down or the on-screen thrust indicator | Use the screen control if your keyboard lacks dedicated keys |
| Pitch up | Up arrow | Raise the nose with a small input |
| Pitch down | Down arrow | Lower the nose with a small input |
| Roll left or right | Left or right arrow | Roll changes the aircraft’s bank |
| Change input mode | Click inside the simulation | Switch between mouse and keyboard control |
| Recover after a crash | You crashed! Restart | Return to a safe playable altitude and location |
| Exit | Back arrow in the upper left | Leave the simulation |
Take off in the web simulator
- Open the simulator from Explore Earth’s Tools menu.
- Choose Satellite for terrain and photorealistic imagery.
- Increase thrust with Page Up or the on-screen indicator.
- Use a small pitch input, then small left or right roll corrections. Avoid holding a key while the scene is still loading.
- Give the imagery time to sharpen. High speed or limited bandwidth can delay high-resolution imagery and 3D buildings.
- If a crash pauses the flight, choose Restart to fly again.
The simulator is designed for exploring Google Earth, not for real-world flight training.
How to open the flight simulator in Earth Pro
Google Earth Pro is the installed desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Choose Tools → Enter Flight Simulator, or press Ctrl+Alt+A on Windows/Linux or Command+Option+A on Mac.
In the start dialog, choose an SR22 or F-16, a Current View or Airport start, and joystick or mouse-and-keyboard input. If a recognized joystick is connected, select it in the dialog. For mouse control, click the center of the screen after the simulator begins.
The head-up display, or HUD, shows flight information over the Earth view.
To take off with the mouse and keyboard:
- Choose the aircraft, starting view, and controller in the start dialog.
- Press Page Up to increase thrust and begin taxiing.
- Move the mouse slightly down when it is time to lift off, then center it as the aircraft stabilizes.
- Use small arrow-key corrections. Combine arrows with Alt for a slower look and Ctrl for a faster look.
- Press Space to pause or resume.
- Use Exit Flight Simulator or the launch shortcut again to leave.
What about older Earth Pro shortcuts?
Older Earth Pro guides list keys for landing gear, flaps, brakes, trim, the HUD, and camera views. Keys can vary by app version, operating system, and keyboard layout; check your installation’s in-app help.
Start with the controls above. When an older shortcut does not work, check Earth Pro’s in-app help rather than assuming that the same key also works in the web simulator.
Fix Page Up and keyboard problems
No dedicated Page Up or Page Down key. Use the web simulator’s on-screen thrust indicator when available. On a laptop, inspect the actual key labels and check the manufacturer’s or operating system’s keyboard instructions. Fn combinations differ between keyboards.
Arrow keys do nothing. Confirm which simulator you opened. In the web version, click inside the simulation to switch input modes, then try a small input. In Pro, check the selected controller in the start dialog.
Arrow keys scroll the page. Click inside the simulator to restore focus. If the page still scrolls, check that the simulator has started and that a text field, menu, or browser control is no longer selected.
Google Earth flight simulator troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Simulator is missing | Explore Earth on a computer, or installed Earth Pro? | Follow the opening steps for your version above; use Google’s Help or feedback option if it stays missing |
| No Page Up/Page Down key | Your keyboard’s key labels | Use the web on-screen thrust control; for Pro, check your device’s keyboard instructions |
| Arrow keys do nothing | Input mode and controller choice | In web, click to switch mouse/keyboard mode; in Pro, check the start-dialog controller |
| Arrow keys scroll the page | A text field, menu, or browser control has focus | Confirm the simulator started, then click inside it and try a small input |
| Mouse control feels stuck | Which simulator is open | In web, click to toggle input modes; in Pro, click the center of the screen to begin mouse control |
| Map has no terrain | The web basemap is set to Map | Switch to Satellite |
| Imagery is blurry or slow | Flight speed and network delivery | Slow down and allow imagery and 3D detail to load |
| Crash message | The web flight has paused after impact | Choose Restart to continue from a playable location |
| Need another aircraft, airport, or joystick | These choices are in Earth Pro | Exit and use Earth Pro’s start dialog |
| Old gear or flap shortcut fails | An older key list may differ from your Pro setup | Check Earth Pro’s in-app help for your installation |
| Using a phone or tablet | Google’s web simulator instructions are for a computer | Use Google Earth on a computer to follow this guide |
In the web simulator, terrain below sea level can flash or clip. Some standard Earth shortcuts, including historical imagery, are disabled during flight because their keys overlap with flight controls. These are known issues in the web simulator.
Which version should you use?
Use the web simulator for a quick exploration of Earth with simple controls. Choose Earth Pro when you want aircraft and airport choices, joystick support, and a HUD.
For a broader classroom assignment, the Google mapping product comparison helps you choose between exploring the globe and building a layered map with research and citations.
Classroom idea
Ask students to choose a ridge, shoreline, or urban edge and record a short observation route. What did they expect to see? What appeared in Map view, what changed in Satellite, and which details loaded late?
Have them separate observation from inference: a visible building shape tells them about the image, not who occupies the building today. Compare the flight with a still view, a contour map, or a student-created map with sources. Use mapping lesson ideas to frame the question and student map projects to plan the finished work. Keep student home locations out of the activity.
Sources and update note
This guide was checked against Google Earth’s web flight-simulator documentation, Earth release notes, and Earth Pro Help on September 8, 2026.
Sources: web flight simulator, Earth release notes, experimental-feature terms, Earth Pro flight simulator Help, Earth versions, and Earth Pro release notes.
Our guides used
- The Maps Guide: Mapping lesson ideas you can teach without a GIS degree.
- The Maps Guide: Student map projects: from a question to a map you can assess.
- The Maps Guide context: View older imagery outside the flight simulator.
