Warden

How to send your location on iPhone and Android

To send your location on iPhone, open the Messages chat, tap +, then Location, and either tap Share for a live location or the pin button and Send Pin for a fixed spot. On Android, open Google Messages, tap the attachment button and Real-time location, or in Google Maps drop a pin and tap Share. A pin shows one place; a live share moves with you. When you'd rather not send anything and still have your people know you got home, use Warden (top pick).

By Eduard Bruch, founder of Warden · Updated

Competitor facts as of 7 November 2026, per each vendor's own pages (linked).

"Send me your location" can mean two different things, and picking the right one saves a lot of "where are you now?" texts:

  • A pin (one-time location): a single point on a map. Apple says pinned locations "don't update as you move" (Apple). Good for "the car is parked here" or "meet me at this entrance".
  • A live location (real-time location): your position keeps updating for the time you choose. Good for "I'm walking over" or "find us in the park".

Below are both, for every common app, with the labels Apple and Google use (checked 7 November 2026; iPhone User Guide for iOS 27, which reads the same as iOS 26).

Quick answer: which button to press

You're on To send a pin To send a live location
iPhone, Messages + > Location > pin button > Send Pin + > Location > Share
iPhone, Maps Share My Location in the bottom card Share ETA while navigating
Android, Google Messages via Google Maps Share Attachment > Real-time location
Android or iPhone, Google Maps Drop a pin > place name > Share Profile > Location sharing
WhatsApp (both) Location > send current location Location > live location

On iPhone: send a pin in Messages

  1. Open the conversation in Messages.
  2. Tap +, then Location.
  3. Tap the map pin button in the top left of the map, then drag the map until the pin sits where you want it.
  4. Tap Send Pin, then tap the send arrow (Apple).

A pin also works in green-bubble SMS chats, which is why Apple suggests it there: "When you want to share your location in an SMS conversation, send a pinned location instead." The other person sees a map preview and can open it in their map app.

On iPhone: send your live location in Messages

  1. Open the conversation and tap + > Location.
  2. Tap Share.
  3. Choose how long: for an hour, until the end of the day, or Indefinitely ("until you manually stop sharing it").
  4. Tap the send arrow.

Fastest way when someone asks: tap Current Location above the keyboard. Live Location in Messages needs an iPhone with iOS 15 or later on both ends (Apple). For everything Messages can do with location, including groups: share location through iMessage.

On iPhone: send a location from Maps

Apple: "In the Maps app, scroll down to Share My Location. Tap Share My Location. Choose how to share your pin, for example, with a contact in Messages" (Apple). This sends a snapshot. If you're on your way somewhere, Share ETA on the route card sends your live progress until you arrive instead (how to share your ETA).

On Android: send your real-time location in Google Messages

  1. Open Google Messages and the conversation.
  2. Tap the attachment button, then Real-time location.
  3. The first time, tap I accept to confirm the Google Location Sharing settings.
  4. Choose For 1 hour, Today only, Until you turn this off, or Custom duration (custom "can't last more than 24 hours").
  5. Tap Send (Google).

You need to be signed in to your Google Account. Google notes the sharing "is powered by Maps" and subject to Google's terms. To stop, tap the message with your location and tap Stop next to your name.

On Android (and iPhone): send a place from Google Maps

  1. Open Google Maps.
  2. Search for a place, or touch and hold the map to drop a pin.
  3. At the bottom, tap the place's name or address.
  4. Tap Share and choose an app (Google).

To send your live position from Google Maps instead, tap your profile picture > Location sharing > New share. Google says the recipient needs a Gmail account, or you can send a link that works for up to 24 hours (Google). Full guide: how to share location on Google Maps.

On Samsung Galaxy

Galaxy phones use the same Google Maps steps as above. If your texting app doesn't offer a location option, send a pin from Google Maps with Share, which works in any chat app. Samsung's own paths: share location on Samsung.

In WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and Snapchat

Sending a location to someone with a different phone

A pin works everywhere, because it's just a map link. Live location doesn't: Apple's Live Location stays between iPhones. For a live share between iPhone and Android, Google Maps, WhatsApp or Warden work on both (iPhone to Android guide).

Warden (top pick): stop sending, start knowing

Sending your location is perfect for a one-off. When the same people ask every day ("home yet?", "where are you?"), sending gets old. Warden replaces the sending:

  1. Start a circle and invite your partner, family, friends or roommates with a code.
  2. Each person joins on their own iPhone or Android phone and switches sharing on themselves.
  3. Add places like home or work. The circle gets an alert when someone arrives or leaves, so nobody has to send anything.
  4. Need a fresh position right now? Tap Locate now.
  5. Quick messages like "On my way" and "Got home safe" are one tap.

Anyone can pause anytime, and the circle sees "Paused" instead of an old pin. Warden runs on iOS 17 or later and Android 8.0 or later.

When the location you send is wrong or won't send

Problem What to check
The pin lands blocks away Turn on Precise Location for Messages, Maps or Google Maps; step outside; see how accurate Find My is
Location option missing in Messages Location Services off for Messages or Find My (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services)
Live share sent but the other person sees "No location found" Your phone is offline or another device shares for you; see No location found
"Share location unavailable" See share location unavailable
Google Messages asks to sign in Real-time location needs a Google Account

Safety tips for sending your location

  • Send a live location to people you know, for a set time, and stop it when you arrive.
  • A pin of your home is permanent in that chat. In group chats, everyone in the group sees it.
  • If you send your location because you feel unsafe, also tell someone to call you. In an emergency, call 911 (or your local number) first.

FAQ

How do I send my location on iPhone?

In Messages, open the chat, tap +, then Location. Tap Share for a live location and choose how long, or tap the pin button and Send Pin for a fixed spot.

How do I send my current location in a text?

On iPhone, tap Current Location above the keyboard when someone asks, or use + > Location. In a green-bubble SMS chat, send a pin. On Android, use the attachment button and Real-time location in Google Messages, or share a pin from Google Maps.

How do I send my location on Android?

In Google Messages, tap the attachment button, then Real-time location, choose a duration and tap Send. Or in Google Maps, drop a pin, tap the place name and tap Share.

What's the difference between sending a pin and sharing my location?

A pin is one fixed point that doesn't move. A shared live location keeps updating for the time you chose, until it ends or you stop it.

Can I send my location from iPhone to Android?

Yes. A pin from Messages or Maps opens on any phone. For a live location across iPhone and Android, use Google Maps, WhatsApp or Warden.

How do I send my location on WhatsApp?

Open the chat, tap the attachment button, choose Location, then send your current location or start Live Location and pick how long.

Does the other person see my location after I send a pin?

They see only the place in the pin, not where you go afterwards.

How do I stop sending my live location?

On iPhone, tap the contact at the top of the chat and tap Stop Sharing My Location. In Google Messages, tap your location message and tap Stop next to your name.

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