2022
Google Maps is an invaluable tool for navigating your way around an unknown environment. And now you're able to use the app to broadcast your location in real time - letting friends, relatives or even a spouse know where you are.
Those concerned about privacy might not be too quick to enable the feature. Thankfully, it's not a mandatory setting. In order to share your location, you have to have your phone's GPS-enabled location tracker switched on. From there, you can tap on the blue dot that represents you and choose "share location" - and set how long you want it shared for. Google Maps will then give you the option to share to contacts directly through the app or via a link through your normal messenger apps.
Here’s How It works:
In Google Maps, users will be able to tap into the app's side menu, choose "Share Location," and pick from a selection of approved contacts who will see their current location. Contacts are pulled from existing Google accounts, and users can also send links through Messages to friends who aren't on their contacts list when they need to share their location.
After a user's location is shared, their chosen contacts will see where they are within Google Maps, represented as a small face icon that moves in real-time according to where the sharer is located. A small icon above the compass in the app will remind users that their location is being shared for the period of time they requested, but they can also choose to end sharing early.
Google today posted a video to detail a real scenario where its location sharing feature could come in handy, focusing on the creation of a surprise birthday party. The video also shows off how users can share their car trips with friends, so they can see an ETA on when the sharer should be arriving.