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When are you getting here?
Are you running late?
Should we wait for you?
A new update to Google Maps contains a handy tool that you may use often. This tool lets you share your location with your friends. No more need to let someone know that you’re running late, stuck in an annoying traffic jam, and leave everyone guessing when you’ll get there.
Using the new Google Maps update Share Your Location, friends can track your journey and know when you’ll arrive.
What Share Your Location Does
When you share your location using Google Maps, your friends can follow where you are in real time. Your location will update as you move.
You can share your location for a limited period of time that you choose. Or you can set it to share your location until you turn it off. The app will let you know when you’re sharing your location so you don’t forget to turn it off.
This tool works across platforms so you can use it with iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android and even on computers. If you have an iPhone and your friends have Android phones, they can still track your location using this tool on Google Maps.
You can even send your location to people who don’t have a smart phone. So long as they have access to a computer, they can see where you are using the Google Maps website.
[note] Google offered a similar feature previously on its Latitudes app. The problem was, few people used that app. Many people use Google Maps so sending your location is much easier. [/note]
You can send your location to anyone in your list of Google contacts and/or send a link to someone who isn’t in your contact list. You can share your location with multiple people or just one person.
Sharing Your Route
If you’re using Google Maps to navigate, you can send your route in addition to your location. That way your friends will know the way you’re headed and when you’re expected to arrive.
Share Your Location Video
This video from Google shows how this location sharing tool can be used to plan a surprise party.
The host and guests can follow each other to know when everyone has arrived at the party. The person who is bringing the guest of honor can share his location so others will know when to prepare for the surprise.
How to Use Share Your Location in Google Maps
After the update you can begin to share your location with others using Google Maps.
Share Your Location Using Google Maps on Your Phone
You must have the Google Maps app to use this feature. This app comes standard on Android phones. If you have an iPhone, you can download the Google Maps app free at the iTunes App Store: Google Maps app for iPhone.
After you have downloaded the app, log into your Google account.
Open the app and tap the blue dot that shows where you are. A menu will show. Tap “Share Location” then choose which of your contacts you would like to share your location with and for how long.
Then tap “Share” to begin sharing your location. An icon will appear as long as your location is being shared.
How to Share Your Route
When you’re using Google Maps as a GPS on your phone to navigate, tap the “More” button at the bottom of the screen. Then tap “Share trip” and choose which people to share your trip with and for how long.
You can choose to share your journey for a specific time period or until you arrive at your destination.
What Else You Need to Know
You can turn off sharing your location at any time. Even if you have set a time period for sharing your location, you can cancel sharing whenever you want.
Your Thoughts
Are you interested in sharing your location with your friends using Google Maps? When would you use this new feature? Will you be planning a surprise party using Google Maps Share Your Location?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn,
Happy Monday 🙂
Interesting indeed, and this is something I had recently read in our newspapers, though didn’t know all the details, which I got to know now. I guess it would depend on how much of your location you’d like to share with people, which would be helpful for large get-togethers, yet not as good if you are planning a family getaway. But it’s good that you can turn it off, as that would give you some privacy! Worth trying it out for sure!
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, I am going to be going on a university tour with my twins and a friend of mine whose son was admitted to the same university. A tool like this would be very useful so we could keep track of everyone during the day as we go in separate directions. And we could set it to turn off at the end of the day when we’re done with the tours.
You’re right, turning it off is very important. No need to be sharing your location if you don’t intend to do that.
This would be an awesome update. We wont need third party apps like Whatsapp to share our location. Google is bit delayed but sharing route is an awesome idea alongwith just the location.
Hi Pankaj, Yes, this is a very useful update. People can share their locations with anyone, not just people who use the same kind of phone as they do.
Sharing the route is useful too. People can see ahead the route and know when you should arrive.
Absolutely.
We dont need third party app. I was waiting for such update 🙂
Hi Pankaj, Excellent. I hope you enjoy using this new feature of Google Maps!
Hi Carolyn,
That’s a great new. I am going to try it now.
Thanks for sharing.
have a good day ahead.
Hi Robin, I hope you enjoy sharing your location with your friends using Google Maps.
Finally, Google Maps updated with a useful feature. Now, we don’t need to tell the directions to our friends or relatives. We can directly share the location. Whatsapp can also do that but Google provided that and it is a good update.
Thanks for updating us.
Hi Jayant, Yes, this new feature can be very useful to let our friends know where we are and where we’re going. It’s especially handy because you don’t need to have a specific phone or app, you can even use it on your computer using the Google Maps website.
Oh yes. Freedom to use Google Maps on any device is really good. We don’t need to switch to Smartphone for sharing location. PC/Laptop can do that for us.
Thank You for reply 😀
Hi Jayant, Good point. This new feature gives us flexibility we never had before. Plenty of people use Google Maps and you can use it on your phone or computer. Very handy!
Hi Carolyn,
This sure comes in handy for me when I’m visiting my daughter. It is an eight hour drive and she always calls me to ask “are you here yet?”
I do like the idea of having several cars of people going to the same place using this so everyone can keep track with each other. Hmmm I may give it a whirl.
Thanks!
-Donna
Hi Donna, Excellent point. You’re right, it’s especially useful when you’re traveling and want to keep loved ones posted on your progress. Placing calls or sending texts while you’re driving can be unsafe. Using Share Your Location, you can update friends on your arrival time without interrupting your trip.
That’s cool. I’ll be able to get rid of the Glympse app soon then. Thanks
Hi Anita, Yes, the good thing about this feature on Google Maps is that so many people use Google Maps. You don’t need to ask anyone to download a new app. They probably already have Google Maps on their phone. If they don’t, well they can just use the website.
Easy way to check where is your husband 😀
Hi Catia, Good point, but only if he shares his location with you. He may want to if, for example, you are meeting him at a restaurant and he is stuck in traffic. Google Maps could keep you posted of his expected arrival time so you aren’t kept waiting there for him.