You would expect someone to find that latest pub using Google Maps, but sometimes it doesn’t just work, especially when the place is new, or the person isn’t familiar with the environment. That’s were sharing your real-time location with them becomes important to help them locate you.
With the latest advancements in Mobile Apps, you might think there are many ways you can share your real-time location with someone, but that’s not the case. When you consider the risks of your location data falling into the wrong hands and the dangers it poses, you will stick with apps that are proven safe.
Of course, the purpose of this post is to help you narrow down your searches on apps you can use to share real-time locations with someone. Interestingly, it doesn’t matter which phone you are using: Android or iPhone, you will use this method to share your location with someone for free.
Sharing your location with Google Maps
The first and most advanced means of sending your location to someone is using Google Maps. With the app, you can decide how long you want to share your location. In addition, you can share your current trip, letting the other person know how much time is left and your precise location. However, while you can do both using Google Maps, the processes are different, and you can find how below.
Sharing your real-time location on Google Maps
Google Maps gives you the option to share your location for an hour or until you turn it off. You can share your location with your friends, helping them know where you are. Interestingly, they can get directions to your location using Maps.
However, people you are sharing a location with can set up notifications to get alerts when you enter or exit a location they have marked on the maps.
- Launch the Google Maps on your device.
- On the upper right corner, tap your profile picture.
- Click on Location Sharing.
- If you are using the feature for the first time, tap on Location Sharing.
- Select the duration you wish to share your location for.
- From the list of contacts, you can select who to share the location with.
- Of course, you can use other options on the screen to send the link.
- When they accept your request, you will see the list of everyone you are sharing a location within the Location Sharing section.
- You can always click on stop to terminate the sharing location.
How to share trip progress on Google Maps
Google Maps allows you to share your trip progress instead of live location. It is the best way to update your friends on your ETA, so you don’t frequently have to update them. You won’t need to stop sharing your location when you arrive at your destination.
- Launch Google Maps on your phone.
- Select your destination and start the driving guidance.
- Tap the Remaining driving time.
- Tap share trip progress.
- Again, Google Maps suggests your frequent contact, but you can use other options on the screen to select who you want to share your trip progress with.
How to share your location with WhatsApp
Another convenient way to share your live location is using WhatsApp. The texting app has features that allow you to share your location and live location. The latter updates as you move while the former only shows your current location. We have covered it in detail here.
- Launch WhatsApp and open the conversation with the person you wish to share your location with.,
- Click the paperclip icon on the message bar at the lower left
- Select location
- You can choose your current or live location. There’s an option to pick from nearby points of interest.
- Decide how long to share your location, but you can stop it anytime.
Share your location using Google Messages
Most Android phones, including Samsung and Pixels, come pre-installed with Google Messages. It uses your data, that is why when you send an SMS to someone, it doesn’t charge your money. You can only share your current location this way, meaning your location will not be updated as you move around.
- Open the Messages app on your Android phone and open the conversation with the person you want to share your location with.
- Click on the + button at the lower-left corner and select location.
- You can choose nearby points or your current location and send it to the person.
- The recipient will get a Google Maps link with your current location. If they have Google Maps, the message forces it to open while they can also use the browser on their device.
Conclusion
Sharing your location is one of the safety measures, especially when you are going on a trip. It’s really something you should already be doing with your loved ones, so they know your exact location at every point. You feel safe knowing someone can say where you are if there becomes a need. We recommend using any app on this post but remember to check again before sending your live location to avoid it entering the wrong hands.
