How to share your ETA on iPhone and Android

Sharing your estimated time of arrival (ETA) is the most polite form of location sharing: it says "here's where I am and when I'll be there", and it ends by itself when you arrive. Both Apple Maps and Google Maps do it. Steps from Apple's iPhone User Guide (iOS 27; iOS 26 reads the same) and Google's help page, checked 7 November 2026.

Share ETA in Apple Maps (iPhone)

1. Open Maps and search for the place you're going.
2. Tap Go.
3. Tap the route card at the bottom of the screen, then tap Share ETA.
4. Choose one or more suggested contacts, or tap Open Contacts (Apple).

Hands-free: ask Siri "Share my ETA." Apple says Share ETA works "while following driving, cycling, and walking directions", and your ETA "updates automatically if there are major delays, so you don't have to send follow-up messages."

To add more people mid-trip: tap "Sharing with" at the bottom, then Open Contacts.

What the other person sees

Apple: "People using iOS 13.1, iPadOS 13.1, or later receive a Maps notification with your ETA, and they can track your progress in Maps. People using earlier versions receive the notification through iMessage. People using other mobile devices receive an SMS message" (Apple). Apple's support article adds that sharing your ETA shares your Live Location, so the person "can follow your movements in real time, including all the stops along your route while navigating" (Apple).

Auto-share your ETA to a place

For trips you make often (home, a parent's house):

1. In Maps, tap Places, then Pinned.
2. Tap the edit button on the pin, then Add Person, search and add the contact, and confirm.
3. When you start turn-by-turn navigation to that pin, the contact automatically receives your ETA.

Apple: "Your location, route, and ETA are viewable until you arrive."

Stop sharing your ETA

Open the route card for the trip, tap "Sharing with" at the bottom, then Stop Sharing ETA below each contact's name.

Share ETA missing?

Apple: "If you don't see Share ETA, make sure you turned it on in Settings > Apps > Maps." To turn it off entirely: Settings > Apps > Maps > turn off Share ETA. Apple also notes "not all features are available in all countries or regions" and "standard carrier data and text rates may apply."

Share trip progress in Google Maps (Android and iPhone)

1. Open Google Maps and set a destination.
2. Start navigation (car, foot or bicycle).
3. Swipe up on the information card and tap Share trip progress.
4. Pick the person and tap Share (Google).

Google: you share "your destination, estimated arrival time, and current location", and "when you reach your destination or stop navigation, you stop sharing your location." To stop early: swipe up on the information card, tap Stop sharing. The same steps are on Google's iPhone page (Google).

Apple Maps vs Google Maps ETA

Other ways to say "I'm on my way"

• Messages Live Location for an hour (guide).
• WhatsApp Live Location for a set time (guide).
• Check In on iPhone, which tells someone when you arrive and only shares location if you don't (guide).
• A pin, if you just want to say where you're headed (guide).

Warden (top pick): arrival alerts without starting navigation

ETA sharing only works when you navigate. For the trips you make every day without directions (work, school, the gym, home), Warden does the job automatically:

1. Add places like home and work to your circle.
2. When someone arrives at or leaves a place, the circle gets an alert. No navigation, no tapping Share.
3. Quick messages such as "On my way" and "Got home safe" are one tap.
4. Everyone switches sharing on themselves, and anyone can pause; the circle sees "Paused".

It works across iPhone and Android in one circle.

Troubleshooting

FAQ

How do I share my ETA on iPhone?

In Apple Maps, search for the place, tap Go, tap the route card at the bottom, tap Share ETA and pick contacts. Or ask Siri to share your ETA.

How do I share my ETA in Google Maps?

Start navigation, swipe up on the information card, tap Share trip progress, pick the person and tap Share.

Can I share my ETA with an Android user from my iPhone?

Yes. Apple says people using other mobile devices receive your ETA as an SMS message.

Why can't I see Share ETA in Apple Maps?

Apple says to check that Share ETA is turned on in Settings > Apps > Maps. Some features aren't available in all countries or regions.

Does sharing ETA share my live location?

Yes, while you navigate. Apple says the person can follow your movements in real time until you arrive.

How do I stop sharing my ETA?

In Apple Maps, tap Sharing with on the route card, then Stop Sharing ETA. In Google Maps, swipe up on the card and tap Stop sharing.

Can my ETA be shared automatically?

In Apple Maps, add a person to a pinned place; they receive your ETA whenever you navigate there. Warden sends arrival alerts for places without navigation.