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How to share your location on Android: 5 quick and easy ways - including by text
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- You can share your current or live location on Android for free.
- Live location lets others follow you in real time.
- Google Maps is the most flexible and widely compatible option.
Maybe I'm getting old, but I find that I share my location more often than I used to with friends and family. It started with simple things, like letting someone know I made it to where I was going, especially when I'd be in Montreal for work, but then I also started using it for everything from coordinating meetups to sharing my ETA on road trips. It's genuinely useful.
Also: How to turn your old Android phone into a Wi-Fi extender
If you use Android, there are several different ways to share a location with someone you love, and they're not all the same. You can send a one-time current location that shows a static snapshot of where you're at that moment, or you can share your live location so someone can follow you in real time. You can even share your trip progress with route updates until you arrive.
The good news is you can do each of these for free and easily.
How to share your location on Android with friends or family
What you'll need: An Android phone with location services turned on, a data or Wi-Fi connection, and one of the apps below.
1. Google Maps
Share your live location, current location, or trip progress
Maps is the best method because it offers several location-sharing options, even if they're a bit buried. You can share from any device, not just Android, and with any contact, even if neither of you has a Google account.
In Google Maps, tap your profile picture, go to Location sharing, and select New share. You can choose a set time or keep it on until you turn it off, then send it to a contact who uses Maps or generate a link and send via Messages. This shares your live location in real time, including movement and battery.
Google Maps gives you two other useful options, as well.
If you're navigating somewhere, tap the remaining time and select Share trip progress to send your route and ETA, which will automatically stop when you arrive. If you only need to send where you are now, long-press on the map to drop a pin (or tap your live blue dot), select Share, and send a location link.
Also: 41 hidden Google Maps settings every power user should know
2. Google Messages
Text your current or live location to anyone
Google's own messaging app is the fastest way to send your location. It works on any phone by generating a Google Maps link that opens in a browser, but on Android, it also shows a Maps preview directly in the chat.
Open a text conversation in Google Messages, tap the plus icon, and select One-time Location. Choose your current location (or tap a nearby place), and then send. The recipient will receive a Google Maps link that shows exactly where you're located, but it's static and won't update as you move.
Messages also recently added support for real-time location sharing, letting you send a live, updating view of where you are directly in a text. To use it, open a chat, tap the plus icon, and select Real-time Location. You can choose how long it stays active or turn it off at any time.
Also: How to schedule a text on Android - it's quick and easy
3. Google Personal Safety
Show your live location to a trusted contact
Ever notice the Personal Safety app on your phone? It's Google's built-in safety tool for emergencies and check-ins. It's designed for situations like late-night walks, especially when you're alone, and it can automatically send updates if you don't respond. To set it up, open the app, go to Home tab, and tap Safety Check.
If it's your first time using Safety Check, tap the Set up button, choose your trusted contacts who you'd like to share with, and grant location permissions. You can also choose to share optional details, like your battery level.
Going forward, when you want to use Safety Check, just tap it, select an activity like walking or create a custom one, set a duration timer, confirm which contacts should be notified (make sure the option to notify them is selected), and tap Start. If you don't check in before the timer ends, your selected contacts will be alerted.
If you want them to see your location in real time, tap Emergency sharing during your active Safety Check or from the Feature tab, and then Start. Your trusted contacts will be notified by text or email and receive a Maps link with your live location. If you stop sharing at any point, you'll be asked to confirm you're safe.
Also: How to enable Advanced Protection on Android - and why
4. WhatsApp
Send your current or live location to another user
Are you a WhatsApp user? Then you can easily share your current or live location with another user.
Simply open a chat, tap the paperclip icon, and select Location. From there, you can choose Send your current location or Share live location. If you choose live, you can set how long it stays active (15 minutes to 8 hours). The recipient can watch your movement in real time directly in the chat, and you can stop sharing at any time.
5. Facebook Messenger
Send your current or live location to another user
Messenger also supports both current and live location sharing. Open a chat, tap the four dots or location icon, and select Location. From there, you can choose to send your current location or share your live location.
Note that live sharing is limited to 1 hour, so you may prefer the other options above for longer tracking.
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FAQs
I'm confused. How do all these location options differ?
They mainly differ in how long they update for and what they show.
- Current location: A static snapshot of where you're located. You can do this in Maps, Messages, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
- Live location: Updates in real time so someone can follow you as you move, until you stop sharing. You can do this in Maps, Messages, Personal Safety, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
- Trip progress: In Google Maps, you can share your ETA, including your route and arrival time. It updates automatically as you drive, but only for that trip, and it stops when you arrive.
Also: How to turn your old Android or iPhone into a security camera
One more thing: If using Maps, Messages, or Personal Safety, you can share your location with anyone on any platform, as it works via a Google Maps link. If using WhatsApp or Messenger, you can only share with other users of those apps.
What's the best or easiest way to share your location on Android?
Google Maps is the best overall option. It supports current, live location, and trip progress sharing, and it works across platforms. For quick one-time current location sharing, Google Messages is the easiest. It lets you text a Maps link to whomever you want.
Can I share my location between Android and iPhone?
Yes. All of the above options work across Android and iOS, though WhatsApp and Messenger require you to be a user of those apps. Google Maps, Google Messages, and Personal Safety all use Google Maps data to share your location.
Does location sharing drain my battery?
Yes. Live location sharing uses GPS and cellular data, so it can drain your battery quickly.