How to Share Location on Android

While there are third-party location-sharing apps that also share your location, this article will focus on three ways to share your location using Google Maps.

Send Your Location With Automatic Updates

The first and arguably the best method, depending on your situation, is to use the Location sharing feature built-in to Google Maps. This lets the other person keep tabs on your location for as long as you let them—you can pick a specific duration or provide your real-time location indefinitely, so it never expires. The person will need a Google account for this method of location sharing.

Send Your Real-Time Location to Non-Google Users

Use this method if you’re sending your location to someone who doesn’t use a Google account, or you don’t want them to have to bother logging in. This is also a great way to quickly send your location to several people at once, like in a group message or email. The steps to take for this method are very similar to the ones shown above. A big difference is you can’t send your permanent, auto-updating location; the link to your location will expire, depending on the duration you choose.

Send Your Current Location Only

The Messages app includes a Location option that will send your current location to whoever is in the conversation. This is your current location only, meaning it just sends the address you’re at right now, and it won’t update for the recipient when you move. They do not need a Google account for this.