How to share your location on Facebook Messenger
To share your location on Messenger, open the chat, tap the Location icon (or More, then Location) and tap the blue bar to share your Live Location; Meta says friends can see you on a map for the next 60 minutes, and you can tap Stop Sharing anytime. To send one fixed place instead, tap the red pin, choose a spot and tap Send. Messenger is fine for meeting up; for everyday sharing with family or a partner, with arrival alerts, the easiest way is Warden (top pick).
Competitor facts as of 7 November 2026, per each vendor's own pages (linked).
Facebook Messenger has had location sharing since 2017: a 60-minute Live Location and a static place pin. Here's how both work on iPhone and Android, what your friends see, and how to stop. Source: Meta's own announcement "Introducing Live Location in Messenger" (27 March 2017, updated 7 November 2019), checked 7 November 2026. Messenger's design changes often, so if a label differs, look for the location option in the chat's attachment or More menu.
What Messenger Live Location does
From Meta's announcement (Meta):
- "You can share your Live Location with a group of friends in Messenger or just with one person."
- "The person or people you share it with will be able to see where you are on a map for the next 60 minutes."
- "You'll be able to see an estimate of how long it would take to get to others' locations by car."
- "You can stop sharing your Live Location at any time; just tap Stop Sharing."
- "A small clock in the lower right hand corner of the map will also let you know how much longer you're sharing your location for."
- It's "available on both iOS and Android", and sharing "is completely optional. You are always in control."
Share your live location on Messenger (iPhone)
- Open the conversation in Messenger.
- Tap the Location icon, or tap More and select Location.
- You'll see a map of your current location. Tap the blue bar to share your Live Location.
- Allow Messenger to use your location if iOS asks (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Messenger).
Share your live location on Messenger (Android)
- Open the conversation.
- Tap the Location icon, or More > Location.
- Tap the blue bar to share your Live Location for 60 minutes.
- Grant location permission when asked.
Send a place instead of your live location
"If you want to tell a friend which coffee shop to meet you at, tap the location pin or the More icon, and then instead of choosing Share Live Location, tap the red pin in the upper right hand corner. From there, you can search for a place to share, or you can drag and drop the pin on the map. Then, tap Send" (Meta).
How to stop sharing your location on Messenger
Tap Stop Sharing on the live location map in the chat. Otherwise it ends by itself when the 60 minutes are up; the countdown clock shows how long is left.
How to see someone's location on Messenger
Open the chat where they shared Live Location and tap the map. You'll see where they are and an estimated drive time to them. When their 60 minutes end, the share stops updating.
Can you see someone's location on Facebook without them sharing?
No. In Messenger, a location appears only when someone chooses to share it in a chat. A location tag on a Facebook post shows the place the person picked for that post, not where they are now.
Messenger vs other apps
| Messenger Live Location | WhatsApp Live Location | Google Maps | Warden | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes (Meta, 2017) | A time you choose | Set time or until off | Until you pause |
| iPhone + Android | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Groups | Yes | Yes, all on one map | Per person | One circle |
| Arrival alerts | Not stated | Not stated | Viewer can add | Yes |
WhatsApp details: share location on WhatsApp. Instagram's newer map: share location on Instagram.
Warden (top pick): beyond the 60-minute share
An hour of live location works for meeting up. For a partner who drives home late, or a parent who lives alone, you want something that stays on quietly and tells you when they've arrived:
- One private circle on iPhone and Android, by invite code.
- Each person switches sharing on themselves; sharing starts off.
- Place alerts when someone arrives at or leaves home, work or school.
- Quick messages like "On my way" and "Got home safe".
- Pause anytime; the circle sees "Paused".
No ads, no data selling, data stored in the EU.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No Location option | Update Messenger; check the More menu; allow location permission |
| Location is wrong | Turn on precise location for Messenger; go outside |
| Live location stopped | The 60 minutes ran out, or the sharer tapped Stop Sharing |
| Friend sees an old position | Your phone is offline; see location not updating |
FAQ
How do I share my location on Messenger?
Open the chat, tap the Location icon or More then Location, and tap the blue bar to share your Live Location.
How long does Messenger share live location?
Meta's announcement says people can see where you are for the next 60 minutes, with a countdown clock on the map.
How do I stop sharing my location on Messenger?
Tap Stop Sharing on the live location map in the chat, or let the 60 minutes run out.
Can I share my location with a group on Messenger?
Yes. Meta says you can share your Live Location with a group of friends or with one person.
How do I send a location without sharing my live location on Messenger?
Open Location, tap the red pin in the upper right corner, search for a place or drag the pin, then tap Send.
Can you see someone's location on Facebook?
Only if they share it with you, for example as Live Location in a Messenger chat. A location tag on a post shows only the place they chose for that post.
Does Messenger location work between iPhone and Android?
Yes. Meta says Live Location is available on both iOS and Android.
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