- How to share your location on Messenger: live location steps
- Switch on location access first, especially on iPhone
- How long a live location on Messenger lasts
- Stop sharing your location on Messenger
- Pinned location versus live location on Messenger
- Who can see your location on Messenger?
- Safety when you share your location on Messenger
- Can't find the Location option on Messenger?
- Frequently asked questions
To share location on Messenger, open a chat, tap Options in the bottom left, tap Location, then tap Start sharing live location. Messenger's help pages say your live location switches off after one hour, or you can stop it yourself by tapping View location, then Stop sharing location.
Sharing your position is one of those small features that saves a lot of typing. A friend is lost outside the station, a supplier can't find your unit, or you're meeting a client at a venue with three entrances. Messenger lets you drop your location into a chat, and it has two versions that behave quite differently: a live location that follows you, and a pinned location that stays put. Here's how it works, based on Messenger's help pages.
How to share your location on Messenger: live location steps
Messenger's help pages say that when you share your live location in a chat, only the people in that chat can see your position. The steps on both Android and iPhone are the same:
- Open Messenger and, from Chats, tap the chat you want to send your location in.
- Tap Options in the bottom left.
- Tap Location.
- Tap Start sharing live location.
That's all it takes. Menus vary a little by app version, so if the wording on your phone differs, look for the Options button at the bottom left of the chat and go from there.
Switch on location access first, especially on iPhone
Messenger can only show your position if your phone lets it. The help page for iPhone says you need to give Messenger location access before you can use location sharing. To keep your shared location up to date, it recommends selecting the Always location option.
If you pick a setting that only allows access while the app is open, your location may stop updating when you switch to another app. Messenger also has a short help article on changing your location settings for Messenger on iOS, which is the one to read if your phone keeps asking.
How long a live location on Messenger lasts
This is the part people forget. According to Messenger's help pages, your live location turns off automatically after one hour. You can also choose to stop sharing at any time. So you don't need to remember to switch it off if you're only sharing for a quick meet-up, but you'll need to start again if the meeting runs long.
It's a sensible limit. Letting someone follow you indefinitely is the sort of thing you'd want to choose on purpose. If you're ever unsure whether a chat can still see you, stop sharing and check the chat.
Stop sharing your location on Messenger
If you want to end it sooner, the help pages give these steps for both phones:
- From Chats, open the chat where you're sharing your location.
- Scroll to the message where you sent your live location.
- Tap View location.
- Tap Stop sharing location.
Do it as soon as you've arrived. It takes a few seconds and means nobody keeps watching your position after you've met.
Pinned location versus live location on Messenger
Not every situation needs a moving dot. Messenger's help pages say that if you want to share a location other than where you currently are, you can send a pinned location instead. The Location sharing section of the Help Centre has a separate article called Send a pinned location on Messenger, so use that one for a venue, a car park or your shop.
| Type | What it's for, per Messenger's help pages | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Live location | Letting people in the chat see your position | Turns off automatically after one hour, or stop it yourself |
| Pinned location | Sharing a place other than where you currently are | Has its own help article |
I'd use a pinned location for a meeting point you've agreed in advance, and a live location when someone needs to find you in the crowd. If you're also arranging a get-together, Messenger's options row includes polls as well as location, and I've written about making a poll on Messenger if you need to settle the venue first.
Who can see your location on Messenger?
The help pages are clear that when you share your live location in a chat, only the people in that chat can see your position. In a group chat that means everyone in the group, so think about who's in it before you tap Start sharing. If you're not sure, send the location in a one-to-one chat instead.
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The help article also says that Meta uses limited information, like your location and IP address, to display your live location on Messenger. That's worth knowing if privacy matters to you.
Safety when you share your location on Messenger
- Only share with people you know and trust.
- Stop sharing when you've arrived.
- Check who's in a group chat before you share to it.
- If someone pressures you to share your location, say no and report the chat to Messenger. If you feel you're in danger, contact the police.
If you're meeting a customer or a stranger for business, tell someone you trust where you're going and use a public place. A location message is helpful, but it's not a safety plan on its own. For anyone new, finding the right person on Messenger first means you know who's on the other end.
Can't find the Location option on Messenger?
Start with the basics: update Messenger, then open the Options button at the bottom left of a chat. Messenger's help pages list Location among the extra options alongside Polls. If it's still missing, the feature may not be available in your app version or region, and I wouldn't guess further than that. You can report the problem to Messenger through its Help Centre.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I share my location on Messenger?
Open a chat, tap Options in the bottom left, tap Location, then tap Start sharing live location.
How long does my live location last on Messenger?
Messenger's help pages say your live location turns off automatically after one hour, or you can stop sharing at any time.
How do I stop sharing my location on Messenger?
Open the chat, scroll to the message where you sent your live location, tap View location, then tap Stop sharing location.
Can I send a location other than my own?
Yes. Messenger's help pages say you can send a pinned location instead of a live one.
Who can see my live location on Messenger?
Only the people in that chat, according to Messenger's help pages.
Why won't Messenger share my location on iPhone?
Messenger's help pages say you need to give it location access first, and that the Always option keeps your shared location up to date.
