Sending your location to friends and family is easy with most smartphones. All you need to do is open your messaging or map app, drop a pin at your current location, and share it. Here’s a step-by-step guide to sending a location pin on iPhone and Android.
On iPhone
There are a few different ways to share your location from an iPhone. Here are the steps for each method:
Using Messages
- Open the Messages app and select the conversation you want to share your location with.
- Tap the information icon (i) in the top right corner.
- Select Send My Current Location or Share My Location.
- Choose how long you want to share your location – either for 1 hour, until the end of the day, or indefinitely.
- Tap Send.
The person you shared your location with will see a map pin dropped at your current location which they can tap to see your location name and address. As you move, the pin will update in real-time (until the sharing expires).
Using Maps
- Open the Maps app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select Share My Location.
- Choose the sharing duration.
- Select the sharing method – either Messages, Mail, or third-party apps.
- Choose the recipient(s).
- Tap Send.
The recipient will receive a map showing your real-time location. They can tap on it to see the address.
Using Find My
- Open the Find My app.
- Tap the Me tab at the bottom.
- Tap Share My Location.
- Choose how long to share it and select Share for 1 Hour, Share Until End of Day, or Share Indefinitely.
- Choose the sharing method and recipient(s).
- Tap Send.
The person will receive your shared location in Find My and can track your location on a map during the sharing period.
On Android
Android also gives you a few ways to easily drop a pin and share your location. Here’s how on some popular Android messaging apps.
Using Messages
- Open the Messages app and select a conversation.
- Tap the + icon.
- Select Location.
- Choose Get current location to share your real-time location or drop a pin anywhere on the map.
- Tap Send.
The recipient will see an interactive map showing the shared location. They can tap on it to see the address.
Using WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp and select a chat.
- Tap Attach.
- Select Location.
- Choose My Location to share your real-time location or pick a location on the map.
- Select how long you want to share the location.
- Tap Send.
WhatsApp will send an interactive map pin that the recipient can tap for your address and directions.
Using Google Maps
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile icon.
- Select Location sharing.
- Choose Share with and pick a contact.
- Tap Share location.
Your real-time location will be shared with the contact via Google Maps. They’ll see your location updating live on the map.
Setting Default Share Duration
Rather than choosing the sharing time limit every time, you can set a default duration in your device settings:
On iPhone
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Share My Location.
- Select a default sharing duration under Share My Location.
On Android
- Open Settings > Location.
- Tap Location sharing.
- Choose a default sharing duration.
Now when you share your location, it will automatically use the default sharing time you set.
Sharing Your Location on Facebook
Facebook also gives you the option to share your real-time location or a pinned location with friends. Here’s how:
- In the Facebook app, tap the What’s on your mind box.
- Tap Check in or Share Location.
- Choose Share Live Location or Drop Pin.
- Search for a place or allow access to your current location.
- Customize who can see the post.
- Tap Share or Check In.
Friends you allow will be able to see your shared location on the map for the duration you set. You can stop sharing at any time.
Sharing Location Via Email
You can also share your location or a pinned drop via email with the phone’s email app or third-party email services:
On iPhone
- Open the Mail app and compose a new email.
- Tap the More button.
- Select Location.
- Choose My Current Location or a custom dropped pin.
- Compose your email and send.
On Android
- Open your email app and start a new email.
- Tap attach file/image.
- Select Location.
- Allow access to your current location or search/pin a custom spot.
- Finish and send the email.
The recipient will be able to view the location you shared on a map inside the email.
Sharing Location From Ride Sharing Apps
When using ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft, sharing your location provides an easy way for the driver to find you:
On iPhone
- Open the ride sharing app and request a ride.
- Tap the notification that says “Share Your Location.”
- Select Share While Using App.
This will automatically share your location with the driver until you complete your ride.
On Android
- Open the ride sharing app and request a ride.
- Tap to allow location access when prompted.
Granting location permission will let the app share your location with your driver for pickup.
Sharing Location Via Text Message
Rather than using a map pin, you can also just text your current address to someone quickly using your assistant’s share functionality:
On iPhone
- Say “Hey Siri, share my location with [contact name].”
- Siri will confirm, then send a text message with your current address.
On Android
- Say “Okay Google, share my location with [contact name].”
- The Google Assistant will confirm, then send a text with your address.
The recipient will get a simple text with your location address details.
Sharing Location From Google Maps
Google Maps also allows you to easily share your location or search results with contacts:
- Open Google Maps.
- Search for a place or tap the blue dot for your location.
- Tap the place card or search result.
- Select Share or the Share icon.
- Choose the sharing method and recipient(s).
This will share a link that opens the recipient’s Google Maps app to the location. They’ll be able to get directions or add it to their Google Account.
Conclusion
Being able to quickly share your real-time location or a pinned drop on a map makes meeting up with friends and family so much easier. Phones give you many convenient options to get your location to others right from text messages, email, ride sharing apps, and maps.
The simple steps above show you how to easily send that handy location pin from your iPhone or Android device. Whether you want to share for an hour or indefinitely, you can get your location to people across various apps with just a few taps. So next time you need to coordinate finding one another, just drop that pin.
Sharing your location does require allowing apps access to your location data, which can raise privacy concerns. Make sure you only share your location when necessary and disable it when finished. You can customize app permissions in your device settings to limit location access.
Being able to quickly share your real-time location or a pinned drop on a map makes meeting up with friends and family so much easier. Phones give you many convenient options to get your location to others right from text messages, email, ride sharing apps, and maps.
The simple steps above show you how to easily send that handy location pin from your iPhone or Android device. Whether you want to share for an hour or indefinitely, you can get your location to people across various apps with just a few taps. So next time you need to coordinate finding one another, just drop that pin.
Sharing your location does require allowing apps access to your location data, which can raise privacy concerns. Make sure you only share your location when necessary and disable it when finished. You can customize app permissions in your device settings to limit location access.
Being able to quickly share your real-time location or a pinned drop on a map makes meeting up with friends and family so much easier. Phones give you many convenient options to get your location to others right from text messages, email, ride sharing apps, and maps.
The simple steps above show you how to easily send that handy location pin from your iPhone or Android device. Whether you want to share for an hour or indefinitely, you can get your location to people across various apps with just a few taps. So next time you need to coordinate finding one another, just drop that pin.
Sharing your location does require allowing apps access to your location data, which can raise privacy concerns. Make sure you only share your location when necessary and disable it when finished. You can customize app permissions in your device settings to limit location access.
Being able to quickly share your real-time location or a pinned drop on a map makes meeting up with friends and family so much easier. Phones give you many convenient options to get your location to others right from text messages, email, ride sharing apps, and maps.
The simple steps above show you how to easily send that handy location pin from your iPhone or Android device. Whether you want to share for an hour or indefinitely, you can get your location to people across various apps with just a few taps. So next time you need to coordinate finding one another, just drop that pin.
Sharing your location does require allowing apps access to your location data, which can raise privacy concerns. Make sure you only share your location when necessary and disable it when finished. You can customize app permissions in your device settings to limit location access.
Being able to quickly share your real-time location or a pinned drop on a map makes meeting up with friends and family so much easier. Phones give you many convenient options to get your location to others right from text messages, email, ride sharing apps, and maps.
The simple steps above show you how to easily send that handy location pin from your iPhone or Android device. Whether you want to share for an hour or indefinitely, you can get your location to people across various apps with just a few taps. So next time you need to coordinate finding one another, just drop that pin.
Sharing your location does require allowing apps access to your location data, which can raise privacy concerns. Make sure you only share your location when necessary and disable it when finished. You can customize app permissions in your device settings to limit location access.
Being able to quickly share your real-time location or a pinned drop on a map makes meeting up with friends and family so much easier. Phones give you many convenient options to get your location to others right from text messages, email, ride sharing apps, and maps.
The simple steps above show you how to easily send that handy location pin from your iPhone or Android device. Whether you want to share for an hour or indefinitely, you can get your location to people across various apps with just a few taps. So next time you need to coordinate finding one another, just drop that pin.
Sharing your location does require allowing apps access to your location data, which can raise privacy concerns. Make sure you only share your location when necessary and disable it when finished. You can customize app permissions in your device settings to limit location access.