How to see someone's location on iPhone and Android
To see someone's location on iPhone, they have to share it with you; then open Find My, tap People and tap their name, or tap their name at the top of your Messages chat. On Android, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, and tap the person. If they haven't shared yet, ask: Find My has Ask To Follow Location, Google Maps has Request. To see each other every day across iPhone and Android, the easiest way is Warden (top pick).
Competitor facts as of 7 November 2026, per each vendor's own pages (linked).
Every way to see someone's location starts with the same step: they share it with you. iPhone and Android are built so that a person decides, on their own phone, who can see them. Once they do, there are several places to look. Steps follow Apple's iPhone User Guide (iOS 27; iOS 26 reads the same) and Google's help pages, checked 7 November 2026.
Step 0: they share, or you ask
| You have | They have | They share with you via | You can ask with |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone | Find My or Messages | Ask To Follow Location in Find My, Request in Messages |
| Android | Android | Google Maps or Find Hub | Request in Google Maps, Request location in Find Hub |
| iPhone | Android (or reverse) | Google Maps, WhatsApp or Warden | Request in Google Maps, or an invite to Warden |
Full steps for asking: how to request someone's location.
See someone's location on iPhone: Find My
- Open Find My.
- Tap People, then the person's name (Apple).
Apple describes three results:
- "If your friend can be located: They appear on a map so you can see where they are."
- "If your friend can't be located: You see 'No location found' below their name." (what that means)
- "If you aren't following your friend: You see 'Can see your location' below their name." Then you can ask.
From their card you can tap Contact, tap Directions to open Maps, set a location label such as Home, or add a notification for when they arrive or leave (Find My notifications). Apple's tip: turn on Precise Location for Find My to see how far away friends are.
See someone's location on iPhone: Messages, Maps and Contacts
Apple says people who share their Live Location with you can be found "in Find My, Maps, your contact card in Contacts, and by tapping your name at the top of a Messages conversation" (Apple). In Messages, their general location appears under their name at the top of the chat; tap it for the map (Apple).
See someone nearby: Precision Finding
If you're close to each other and both have a supported iPhone (iPhone 15 or later, per Apple), tap Find on their card. An arrow points toward them with a distance. Apple notes this notifies your friend that you're trying to locate them (Apple).
See someone's location on Android: Google Maps
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile picture, then Location sharing.
- Tap the profile of the person you want to find.
- To update their location: tap their icon, then More > Refresh (Google).
Google says people who share with you show their device's recent location and battery power. The same steps work in Google Maps on iPhone, which is the simplest way for an iPhone user to see an Android friend.
See someone's location on Android: Find Hub
Google's Find Hub has a people tab for location sharing; people sharing with you there appear on its map. Google says recipients with Find Hub or Google Maps get a notification when someone shares (Google). Guide: Google Find Hub.
On Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy phones use Google Maps and Find Hub, so the Android steps above apply. More: share location on Samsung.
In WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram and Messenger
- WhatsApp: open the chat where they shared Live Location and tap the map (WhatsApp). See WhatsApp location.
- Snapchat: friends who share appear on Snap Map; see share location on Snapchat.
- Instagram: see share location on Instagram.
- Messenger: see share location on Messenger.
Does the other person know when I check their location?
- Find My: Apple's guides describe no notification for opening someone's card. Find (Precision Finding) does notify them.
- Google Maps: Google's help page lists what people you share with can see; it doesn't describe a notification for viewing.
- Life360 and Snapchat: their help pages we read don't say; check the app's own help center.
Either way, the person chose to share with you and can see that you're on their list. That's the point of consent-based sharing.
Can I see someone's location without them sharing it?
No. Find My, Google Maps, Find Hub and the messaging apps only show people who chose to share with you. Phone-number "trackers" and hidden apps aren't location sharing, and using them on someone else's phone can be illegal. If you're worried for someone's safety right now, call them, and if you believe they're in danger, call 911 (or your local emergency number).
Warden (top pick): see each other every day, on any phone
When the people you care about mix iPhone and Android, Find My can't show them all. Warden puts everyone on one private map, with their consent:
- Start a circle and share the invite code.
- Each person joins on their own iPhone or Android phone and switches sharing on themselves; nobody can turn it on for someone else.
- Open the map to see everyone who shares, with battery level.
- Add places like home or school, and get an alert when someone arrives or leaves instead of checking the map.
- Tap Locate now for a fresh position, or look back through 30 days of history.
Everyone can see who can see them, and pausing shows "Paused" to the circle.
Troubleshooting: why can't I see someone's location?
| What you see | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Can see your location" | They don't share with you | Ask: Ask To Follow Location |
| "No location found" | Their phone is off, offline or not sharing from the phone they carry | No location found |
| Old time under their name | Phone not reporting | Location not updating |
| They're not in People | You removed each other, or they never shared | Share your location and ask again |
| They have Android | Find My is for Apple devices | Google Maps, WhatsApp or Warden |
| Location looks wrong | Accuracy limits | How accurate Find My is |
FAQ
How do I see someone's location on my iPhone?
Once they share with you, open Find My, tap People and tap their name. You can also tap their name at the top of your Messages conversation.
How do I see someone's location on iPhone if they haven't shared it?
Ask them. In Find My, tap People, their name, then Ask To Follow Location (you need to be sharing with them first), or in Messages tap +, Location, Request.
How do I see someone's location on Google Maps?
Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, and tap the person who shares with you. To update it, tap their icon, More, then Refresh.
How do I see someone's location on Android?
In Google Maps, go to Location sharing and tap the person, or open the people tab in Find Hub. They must have shared with you first.
Can I see an Android user's location on my iPhone?
Yes, if they share with you through an app on both phones, such as Google Maps, WhatsApp or Warden. Find My on iPhone doesn't show Android phones.
Does someone know if I look at their location?
Apple's and Google's help pages don't describe a notification for viewing a shared location. Precision Finding's Find button in Find My does notify the other person.
Why can't I see someone's location on Find My?
They may not share with you ("Can see your location"), their phone may be off or offline ("No location found"), or they paused sharing.
Can I see someone's location history on iPhone?
Find My shows where someone is now, not where they've been. See our guide to seeing someone's location history for options with their consent.
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