How to share your location on Snapchat (Snap Map)

Snapchat's Snap Map is how many friend groups share location, and searches for "how to share location on Snapchat" and "Ghost Mode" have roughly doubled in a year. Here is exactly how it works, with Snapchat's own labels from its Support pages (checked 7 November 2026): turning it on, choosing friends, Ghost Mode, what friends can see, and how to turn it off.

The basics, per Snapchat

• "Location sharing on Snap Map is off by default. Only the people you choose can see your location" (Snapchat).
• You share only with mutual friends: "If you and a friend have both added one another on Snapchat, you can choose to share your locations with each other on Snap Map."
• To open Snap Map: "Swipe right twice from the Camera screen" (Snapchat).

How to share your location on Snapchat

1. Open Snap Map (swipe right twice from the Camera).
2. Tap the gear icon to open Map Settings. (If you linked Spotify, the page is called "Who Can See My Location and Music.")
3. Choose who can see your location:
   • My Friends: all friends you've added back, including future ones.
   • My Friends, Except...: everyone except a few.
   • Only These Friends...: just the friends you pick.
   • Ghost Mode: nobody (Snapchat).

Or from Settings: My Account > gear icon > My Privacy & Data > Who Can See > See My Location (Snapchat).

Snapchat notes about My Friends: "This option doesn't include people who've added you as a friend, but who you haven't added back. If you choose this option, we'll check in from time to time to make sure you still want to share your location with all of your friends." And about Only These Friends: "Friends you select aren't notified when you choose them" (Snapchat).

"Only while using" vs "Always" location

Snapchat explains two types (Snapchat):

• Only while using: your location updates only while you use Snapchat. "If you close Snapchat, Snap Map will show the last location you were at while you were using Snapchat." And "if your permissions are set to 'Only while using,' your location on the map will expire after 24 hours."
• Always (background): "Snap Map will continue to show your selected friends and family members your real-time location even after you close the app."

You set this in your phone's location permission for Snapchat (iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Snapchat; Android: the app's location permission). Snapchat recommends sharing background location only with people you trust and "for as long as you need."

How to turn on Ghost Mode

1. Open the Map and tap the gear icon.
2. Turn on Ghost Mode.
3. Pick a timer: 3 hours, 24 hours or Until Turned Off (Snapchat).

Snapchat: "When you enable Ghost Mode, your location will still be shared with Snap, but it won't be visible to anyone else on the Map." In Ghost Mode, "your Bitmoji will hold up a blue sign with a ghost icon, unless you are sharing your live location." And a warning: "Snaps you submit to Snap Map can still show up on the Map, no matter what location setting you choose!"

How to turn off Snap Map completely

• Hide from friends: Ghost Mode, Until Turned Off.
• Stop background sharing: set Snapchat's location permission to "Only while using" in your phone settings (Snapchat's own advice).
• Stop Snapchat using location at all: set Snapchat's location permission to Never (iPhone) or deny location (Android). Snap Map then can't place you.

What friends can see and know

• Your Bitmoji on the map where you are (if you share with them), and "how long it's been since their location was last updated" when they tap you (Snapchat).
• Tapping isn't announced: "Friends will not be notified if you tap on their Bitmoji."
• Location in chat: "If your friend is sharing their location on Snap Map, you will be able to see where they are" while chatting (Snapchat).
• Screenshots: "Your location may appear in screenshots and Map Snaps that your friends take" (Snapchat).

How to see a friend's location on Snapchat

Open Snap Map and look for their Bitmoji, or tap their name in chat. You'll only see friends who share with you. If someone doesn't show, they may be in Ghost Mode, sharing with select friends only, or their location expired after 24 hours of "Only while using".

Snap Map alternatives

Snap Map mixes location with a public map of Snaps, places and friends' activity. If what you want is quieter, everyday sharing:

Zenly, the app many Snap Map users came from, was shut down by Snap on 3 February 2023 (TechCrunch). Our comparison: Zenly alternatives.

Warden (top pick): private sharing without the social map

Snap Map is fun for friend groups. For the people you check on every day, Warden is calmer and more private:

1. A private circle: only people you invite, approved by the circle owner, see you. No public map, no Snaps.
2. Each person switches sharing on themselves; sharing starts off.
3. Place alerts tell the circle when someone arrives at or leaves home, work or campus.
4. Pausing shows "Paused" to the circle, instead of a ghost sign or an expired dot.
5. No ads and no data selling; data stored in the EU.

Works on iPhone and Android in one circle.

Troubleshooting Snap Map

FAQ

How do I share my location on Snapchat?

Open Snap Map by swiping right twice from the Camera, tap the gear icon and choose My Friends, My Friends Except..., or Only These Friends.

How do I turn on Ghost Mode on Snapchat?

Open the Map, tap the gear icon, turn on Ghost Mode and pick 3 hours, 24 hours or Until Turned Off. Snapchat says your location is still shared with Snap but not visible to anyone on the Map.

How do I turn off Snap Map?

Turn on Ghost Mode until turned off. To stop Snapchat using your location at all, change its location permission in your phone's settings.

Does Snapchat notify when you look at someone's location?

Snapchat says friends will not be notified if you tap on their Bitmoji.

Are friends notified when I share my location with them?

For Only These Friends, Snapchat says friends you select aren't notified when you choose them.

Why does my Snapchat location not update?

If Snapchat's location permission is "Only while using", your location updates only while you use the app and expires after 24 hours.

How do I share my location with only one friend on Snapchat?

In Map Settings, choose Only These Friends and select that friend. They must have added you back.

Can people who aren't my friends see me on Snap Map?

Snapchat says only friends you've chosen can see your location, but your location may appear in screenshots and in Snaps you submit to the Map.