To share your location on Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, New share, pick how long and who, and tap Share. To send a place instead, tap and hold to drop a pin, tap its address and tap Share. You can stop sharing any time.
There are three different things people mean by 'share my location', and Google Maps handles each one differently. You might want to send a place on the map, let a friend follow your journey for the next hour, or leave a live location running for a family member. Here's how to do each, the privacy detail worth knowing, and how to switch it off.
Share your live location with someone
- Open the Google Maps app and make sure you're signed in to your Google Account.
- Make sure the person's Gmail address is saved in your Google Contacts.
- Tap your profile picture or initial, then Location sharing, then New share.
- Choose how long you want to share your location.
- Tap the person's profile. If Google Maps asks about contacts, allow access.
- Tap Share.
Google says you need to use a mobile device to share your real-time location this way, and the person receiving it must have a Gmail account.
What the other person can see
Be clear about this before you press Share. Google says people you share with can always find your name and photo, your device's recent location even when Google apps aren't being used, and your battery level and whether it's charging. If they add a notification, they can also see your arrival and departure times. It's a lot more than a pin on a map, so share with people you trust and pick a sensible time limit.
Share with someone who doesn't use Gmail
Tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, then New share, and choose Copy to clipboard to copy a location sharing link. Paste that link into an email, a text or any messaging app. Google says the link lets people see your real-time location for up to 24 hours, so it's tidy for a one-off meet-up and not for a long-term arrangement.
Share your trip progress instead
If you only want someone to know when you'll arrive, there's a lighter option. When you're navigating by car, on foot or by bicycle, swipe up on the information card and tap Share trip progress. Choose the person and tap Share. They'll see your destination, your estimated arrival time and your current location. Sharing ends by itself when you reach your destination or stop navigating, or you can swipe up and tap Stop sharing.
Send a place or a dropped pin
Sending a place is not the same as sharing your own location. On your phone, search for a place or touch and hold the map to drop a pin, tap the place's name or address at the bottom and tap Share, then choose an app. On a computer, click Menu at the top left, then Share or embed map, then Send a link and Copy link. That works well for a venue or a meeting point.
| I want to... | Use |
|---|---|
| Let someone follow me for a while | Location sharing, then a new share |
| Someone without Gmail | Copy to clipboard link (up to 24 hours) |
| Let someone know when I'll arrive | Share trip progress while navigating |
| Send a meeting point | Drop a pin, tap the address, then send it |
Stop sharing your location
- Tap your profile picture or initial, then Location sharing.
- Tap the profile of the person you want to stop sharing with.
- Tap Stop.
Do this as a habit when a trip or event is over. A share set to run 'until you turn this off' will keep running until you do.
When sharing isn't working
- The person can't see you: check they have a Gmail account and that you added their address to your Google Contacts.
- Sharing stops after a day: Google's advice is to verify your age and, if that doesn't fix it, choose Until you turn this off when you set up the share.
- Your location looks old: the other person can tap More and Refresh on your icon to update it.
A note on privacy
Your location is personal data, and so is anybody else's. If you run a business and ask staff or customers to share a location, be upfront about it. My explainer on whether WhatsApp shows your location is a good companion if you also message with it, and the Google Maps ranking factors cheat sheet covers the business side of Maps.
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Set sensible time limits
The duration you choose matters more than most people think. For a night out, an hour or two is plenty. For a family member on a long drive, choose a longer period and stop it afterwards. Choosing 'until you turn this off' is convenient, and Google even suggests it as a troubleshooting step if sharing keeps dropping after 24 hours, but it means somebody can keep seeing where you are until you remember to switch it off. Set a reminder in your calendar if you do.
My verdict
Use Location sharing for people you trust, with a time limit you can live with. Use a link for people without Gmail, Share trip progress for 'on my way' and a dropped pin for meeting points. Then stop sharing when it's done.
Frequently asked questions
How do I share my location on Google Maps?
Tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, New share, choose how long and who to share with, and tap Share.
Can I share my location with someone who doesn't have a Google Account?
Yes. Copy the location sharing link and paste it into a message. Google says it can be used for up to 24 hours.
How do I stop sharing my location?
Tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, tap the person's profile and tap Stop.
What is Share trip progress?
While you navigate, it shares your destination, estimated arrival time and current location with someone until you arrive or stop sharing.
Can I share a place instead of my location?
Yes. Search for the place or drop a pin, tap its name or address and tap Share. On a computer use Menu, Share or embed map.
