How to Share Your Location on Google Maps (Live or Once)

Someone is waiting for you and keeps texting "where are you?". Or you are walking home late and want a friend to watch your dot until you get in. Google Maps does both, and the right option depends on whether they need to see where you are right now or where you are going.

The fastest way to share your live location on Android or iPhone:

1. Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture at the top right.
2. Tap Location sharing, then New share (or Share location the first time).
3. Pick how long: 1 hour (tap + or - to change it) or Until you turn this off.
4. Pick a contact, or send a link through Messages or WhatsApp, and tap Share.

Just need to send one spot, like where you parked? Skip to send your current location once.

Which kind of sharing do you need?

Share your live location

On Android

1. Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture (top right).
2. Tap Location sharing.
3. Tap New share.
4. Choose the duration: For 1 hour, adjust with + or -, or choose Until you turn this off.
5. Choose who to share with:
   • Tap a contact in the list. They need a Google Account (Gmail) to see you inside Google Maps.
   • Or tap Copy to clipboard or a messaging app to send a link to anyone, even without a Google Account.
6. Tap Share.

On iPhone

The steps are the same, with one difference in the sharing sheet: to send a link instead of picking a Google contact, tap Message or More options to use iMessage, WhatsApp or any other app.

What the other person sees

While you are sharing, the people you chose can see:

• Your name and photo
• Your current location, and recent location updates
• Your phone's battery level and whether it is charging
• Notifications of when you arrive at or leave a place, if you set them up

Links expire too. A shared link works for up to 24 hours at most, even if you picked a longer time. For a family member who should always see you, share with their Google Account instead of a link.

Stop sharing your location

1. In Google Maps, tap your profile picture > Location sharing.
2. Tap the person you are sharing with.
3. Tap Stop.

On Android, there is also a master switch for every share at once: Settings > Location > Location services > Google Location Sharing. Turn off Use Location Sharing to stop everything. The name of the first menu varies a little: on Samsung it is Settings > Location > Location services.

Send your current location once

Sometimes you do not want anyone tracking you. You just want to send a spot. This sends a fixed pin that does not move.

1. Open Google Maps. Tap the compass/target button to centre on your location.
2. Tap the blue dot that shows where you are. A card opens.
3. Tap Share location (or Share), then pick an app.

If tapping the blue dot does not show a share option on your version of Maps, press and hold on the map exactly where you are to drop a red pin. Swipe up on the card at the bottom and tap Share. The other person gets a Google Maps link that opens at that spot.

Share your trip progress while driving

This is the best option when someone just wants to know when you will arrive. It shares your live position and ETA only for this trip, then stops on its own.

1. Start navigation to your destination in Google Maps.
2. Swipe up on the trip card at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap Share trip progress.
4. Pick a contact or an app.

Sharing ends automatically when you arrive. If you are using Google Maps on Android Auto, you can start it from the phone before you set off.

Can I share my location from a computer?

Not live. On a desktop browser, Google Maps can show people who are already sharing with you, and you can share a place (search for it, click Share and copy the link). But live location sharing only starts from the Google Maps app on a phone, because it needs the phone's GPS.

Location sharing not working?

• Their view says your location is unavailable: your phone may be off, offline, or in battery saver. Battery saver and Low Power Mode can pause location updates.
• Your dot is stuck in one place (iPhone): set Google Maps' location permission to Always, as explained above.
• They cannot see you at all: check that you shared with the right Google Account. If they use more than one, send a link instead.
• The share stopped early: links last a maximum of 24 hours. Use Until you turn this off with a Google contact for longer shares.

Related

FAQs

How do I share my current location on Google Maps?

Tap the blue dot showing where you are, then tap Share location. Or press and hold the map to drop a pin and tap Share. For a live location that updates as you move, tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, then New share.

Does the other person need Google Maps to see my location?

Not if you share a link. They can open the link in any browser. If you share with a Google contact, they need a Google Account to see your location inside the Google Maps app.

How long does Google Maps location sharing last?

As long as you choose, from 15 minutes up to "Until you turn this off" for a Google contact. Shared links stop working after 24 hours at most.

Can someone tell if I stop sharing my location?

Yes. Once you stop, you disappear from their Location sharing list in Google Maps. Google Maps does not send a notification when you stop, but they will see that you are no longer sharing.

Does sharing my location drain my battery?

A little more than usual, because your phone sends location updates in the background. On most phones the difference is small for an hour or two. For all-day sharing, keep a charger nearby.

Can I share my location on Google Maps without a Google Account?

You need to be signed in to Google Maps to start live location sharing. Sharing a one-time pin works without signing in.