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topicnews · October 12, 2024

Google Maps: This is how you can use location sharing – share live movements with other users (FAQ)

Google Maps: This is how you can use location sharing – share live movements with other users (FAQ)


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With widely used apps like Google Maps All users have the option to share their current location with other users both statically and live. Since these features are becoming increasingly popular, Google may soon integrate them into the Android operating system. Today we’ll show you in detail how you can share your own location live with other users and what you need to pay attention to when doing so.


Google Maps: This is how you can use location sharing – share live movements with other users (FAQ)

A few days ago it was announced that Google was working on a new way to share your location on Android. There is a new framework for sharing locations via Google Maps, which could also be used by other apps in the future. But such a function is not only available in Google Maps, but also in messenger apps such as WhatsApp. Fundamentally, the concept doesn’t differ much in most apps, but the implementation and accuracy can vary greatly – as can data protection.

Trust and data protection
If you want to be on the safe side, you should of course use a trustworthy app, such as the already mentioned services WhatsApp or Google Maps, which are very popular. Of course, the terms trust and data protection at Google and Meta are to be viewed as rather broad, but fundamentally the two companies have proven over the years that no data flows to other recipients in strange ways. And with these companies, which also live from their image and user trust, the data is in better hands overall than with the app XY, which is obtained outside the Play Store and has 150 users.

One advantage of Google Maps location sharing is that the app is pre-installed on practically every smartphone, constantly queries the location and sends it to the server and therefore reliably transmits the location even in the background. Something that doesn’t work smoothly for all apps due to the increasingly strict Android restrictions and could therefore probably be reorganized.

Google Maps location sharing, new design menu

This is Google Maps location sharing
Google Maps location sharing does exactly what the name suggests: sharing your location. As a user, you share the location of your smartphone so that other users can see relatively precisely where you are on the map. You can set both the duration of the release and the list of users with permission to view it. There is an important point to note here, because the release takes place via a URL through which any user could access the location. There is no account verification.

It is therefore not impossible that an invited user will pass on your live location. Here, too, you have to have trust, but you probably won’t share your location with untrustworthy people anyway. Especially not live.

This is how you can share the location on Google Maps
The location is shared directly via the Google Maps Android app and can be implemented quickly:

  1. Opens the Google Maps app for Android.
  2. Now tap on your profile picture at the top right of the search bar.
  3. Select “Location sharing” from the menu.
  4. So that you can read through the instructions and decide whether you want to continue.
  5. Now select the duration of the release (default is 1 hour), possible from 15 minutes to 3 days. Alternatively, select “Until deactivated” for permanent release.
  6. Now select the people or apps you want to share (such as Messenger).
  7. Done, all selected users can immediately see where they are.

View Google Maps location sharing

The observers have these options
The invited users see their location on the map, including the usual extensive map section. The location is displayed with the user’s profile picture and name and updated live. If the observed user moves, this is displayed on the map with a slight delay and a rough gradation. Of course not every step is visible, but larger movements can be seen more or less live. In addition, if Google Maps recognizes this, users may be able to see which means of transport the observed user is currently using – which can be clearly seen from the speed and rhythm of movement: on foot, by bike or by car.

Users also see the battery level and the time of the last GPS signal. This makes sense if the user doesn’t move for a long time, so you know that either the battery has died or there is simply no location or data connection available at the moment. If the observed user is in a previously determined and saved location, this is also displayed. See the following description.

Location sharing lets you share real-time location on your devices with selected people.

You’ll then see your name, photo, and real-time location across all Google products, including Google Maps.

This may include your current and previous location, your current activity (e.g. whether you are driving or walking), information about your device such as battery life or GPS connections, as well as locations you have specified such as “home”, “work” or Destination addresses are displayed.

Why do I need this?
Now the big question: Why do you need such a function? Of course, this depends heavily on the situation and the relationship with the other person to whom you would send such a sharing link. Do parents want to be sure their child takes the direct route to and from school or knows where they are? Does the person being observed have an uneasy feeling on the dark way home, which can at least be transformed into a feeling of safety through this tracking? Or would you simply like to show your dear relatives when you can expect your arrival?

As already mentioned several times, such a function is based on trust and each user can determine for themselves whether and for how long it is tracked. If you don’t need it, simply switch it off or don’t activate it at all. Of course, the user being monitored can pull the plug at any time and end the monitoring with the push of a button. In this respect, it’s a very practical function that doesn’t have to appeal to everyone, but it has an important raison d’être.

Last updated on October 10, 2024 / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API / Affiliate links, thank you for your support!

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