How to share your location on Google Maps

Google Maps location sharing is the most widely available cross-platform option: it runs on Android and iPhone, and anyone with a Google account can see you. This guide covers every way to share from it, what the other person sees, how to ask, stop and hide, and fixes for when it doesn't work. Source: Google's help page "Share your real-time location with others in Google Maps" (Android and iPhone versions), checked 7 November 2026.

What people can see when you share

Google: people you share with "can always find your":

• "Name and photo."
• "Device's recent location even when Google apps aren't being used."
• "Device's battery power and if it's charging."
• "Arrival and departure time if they add a Location Sharing notification."

Google also notes "Location Sharing works even when Timeline is turned off" (Google), and that shared info "may also include where you've recently been" (Google).

Share your location on Android

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Make sure you're signed in to your Google Account and the person's Gmail address is in your Google Contacts.
3. Tap your profile picture or initial > Location sharing > New share.
4. Choose how long you want to share.
5. Tap the person's profile; allow contacts access if asked.
6. Tap Share (Google).

Share your location on iPhone

The same steps, in the Google Maps app on iPhone or iPad: profile picture > Location sharing > New share > how long > the person > Share (Google). This is the easiest way for an iPhone user to share with an Android user, since Apple's Live Location needs an iPhone on both ends (Apple).

Through iMessage, with the Google Maps iMessage app

1. In a Messages conversation, tap Apps, then the app drawer > Add > Manage, and turn on Google Maps.
2. Tap Apps > Google Maps.
3. Tap Share your real time location for 1 hour (extendable "up to 3 days"), or Send your current location.
4. Tap Send, then the up arrow. To stop, tap Stop on the thumbnail (Google).

Share with someone who has no Google account (a link)

1. Profile picture > Location sharing > New share.
2. On Android, tap Copy to clipboard and paste the link into any chat. On iPhone, tap Message or More options and pick an app.

Google: "Your real-time location can be shared with people who have this link for up to 24 hours."

Share until you turn it off

When you choose how long, pick Until you turn this off to share without an end time. Google says that when its systems indicate you may be under 18, "you can no longer share your location for more than 24 hours."

Share your ETA (trip progress)

1. Set a destination and start navigation.
2. Swipe up on the information card and tap Share trip progress.
3. Pick the person and tap Share.

"When you reach your destination or stop navigation, you stop sharing your location." To stop earlier, swipe up and tap Stop sharing. More: how to share your ETA.

Send a place (not your live location)

Search or drop a pin, tap the place's name or address, tap Share and choose an app (Google). See how to send your location.

See someone and ask for their location

• See: profile picture > Location sharing > tap the person. To update: tap their icon > More > Refresh.
• Ask: tap a contact who shared with you before > Request > Request. Google says they get your email address and a notification and can share, ignore or block you.

Guides: see someone's location, request someone's location.

Arrival and departure notifications

People you share with can add a Location Sharing notification and see your "arrival and departure time". When you share, you can choose whether each person may create notifications about you (Google).

Stop, hide, block

• Stop: profile picture > Location sharing > the person > Stop.
• Hide someone from your map: tap their icon > More > Hide from map; unhide from their profile.
• Deny or block a request: tap No or Block.
• Stop all Google sharing on Android: Settings > Location > Location Services > Google Location Sharing (Google).

Google Maps and Find Hub use the same account-wide sharing, so you can manage it in either (Find Hub guide).

Google Maps location sharing not working? Fixes

Google lists reasons sharing may be blocked: you're "in a country or region where you can't share your location", sharing "isn't available for your Google Workspace domain", you're "too young to share your location", or a parent manages your account with Family Link (Google).

Warden (top pick): everyday sharing beyond Google Maps

Google Maps sharing is a strong free tool for trips and evenings. For the people you check on every day, it leaves gaps: the Gmail requirement, no shared circle view, and a stopped share looks like any other. Warden fills them:

1. Start a circle and send the invite code; no Gmail needed.
2. Each person joins on their own iPhone or Android phone and switches sharing on themselves.
3. Add places (home, work, school): the circle gets an alert when someone arrives or leaves.
4. Battery level and low-battery alerts, 30 days of history, and Locate now for a fresh position.
5. Pausing shows "Paused" to the circle, so nobody wonders.

Data is stored in the EU, with no ads and no data selling.

FAQ

How do I share my location on Google Maps?

Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Location sharing and New share. Choose how long, tap the person and tap Share.

Can I share my location on Google Maps with an iPhone user?

Yes. Google Maps runs on iPhone. The person needs a Gmail account, or you can send a link that works for up to 24 hours.

How do I share my location on Google Maps indefinitely?

When you choose how long, select Until you turn this off. Google limits accounts it believes are under 18 to 24 hours.

Does the other person need a Google account?

To get a direct share, yes: Google says the recipient must have a Gmail account. Without one, send a link, which works for up to 24 hours.

What can people see when I share my location on Google Maps?

Your name and photo, your device's recent location, battery level and charging status, and your arrival and departure times if they add a notification.

How do I stop sharing my location on Google Maps?

Tap your profile picture, then Location sharing, tap the person and tap Stop.

Why is Google Maps location sharing not working?

Common reasons are a recipient without Gmail, age limits, a Workspace admin setting, a region where sharing isn't offered, or a phone that's offline. Google lists these on its help page.

Does Google Maps location sharing need Timeline on?

No. Google says Location Sharing works even when Timeline is turned off.