To share your live location in WhatsApp, open a chat, tap the paper clip (Android) or the + button (iPhone), choose Location, then Share live location, and pick how long. The other person sees you move on a map until the timer ends or you stop it. Google Maps and the Find My app on iPhone do the same job, each with its own time limits and its own idea of who can see you.
Pick the app based on who is waiting for you. WhatsApp works if you already chat there. Google Maps lets you send a link that works on Android, iPhone and a computer. Apple’s built-in sharing works between Apple devices.
WhatsApp on Android and iPhone
Live location differs from sending a pin: the map keeps updating as you move. WhatsApp says live location is end-to-end encrypted, and you control who gets it and for how long.
On Android:
- Open the individual or group chat.
- Tap the paper clip, then Location > Share live location. Tap Continue if the app asks.
- Choose how long to share: 15 minutes, 1 hour or 8 hours.
- Add a comment if you like, then tap the send arrow.
On iPhone the steps match, but the attachment menu opens with the + button next to the message box.
If the location does not show up, check the phone’s permission. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions > Location and allow access.
Sharing in a group
Everyone in the group sees your position on the map. If several people share at once, all of them appear on the same map, which helps when friends arrive from different directions.
Stopping in WhatsApp
- One chat: open the chat, tap Stop sharing, then confirm with Stop.
- All chats on Android: on the Chats tab, tap the three dots, then Settings > Privacy > Live location, and tap Stop sharing.
Menu names shift slightly between app versions.
Google Maps
According to Google, the person you share with can watch your location on Android, iPhone, a phone browser or a computer. You need a Google Account, an internet connection and location turned on for the device.
- Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture.
- Open Location sharing and choose to share your location.
- Set the duration and the person: a Google contact, or a link you can send through any messaging app.
Google’s help page says a link can show your real-time location for as long as you choose, up to 24 hours. The recipient sees your name, profile picture, real-time location and battery level. In busy areas the dot can land on a nearby business or address, so don’t expect street-level precision.
One caution: anyone holding the link can see where you are. Send it in a private message, not a large group chat.
Stop or pause on Android
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to Location > Location services > Google Location Sharing.
- Tap the list of people you share with, then tap Stop next to a name.
To pause everything, turn off Use Location Sharing on that screen. Google notes that changing Maps permissions or using Incognito mode does not stop or pause sharing.
iPhone: Find My and Messages
iPhone has two routes, Find My and Messages, and they work together: stopping in one stops sharing everywhere. Apple says live location needs iOS 15 or later on both iPhones, and some options need iOS 17. If an option is missing, update iOS.
In Find My:
- Open Find My, go to the Me tab and turn on Share My Location.
- On the People tab, tap the add button and choose Share My Location.
- Pick the contact and a duration: one hour, until the end of the day, or indefinitely.
In Messages you have two options. Tap the + in a conversation to send your Live Location, and the recipient can tap it to see you on a map and get directions. Or tap the contact’s name at the top and choose Share My Location. The same screen has Request Location, which asks the other person to share theirs.
To stop sharing with everyone, open Find My, go to Me and turn off Share My Location. For one person, open People, pick the name and tap Stop Sharing My Location. They are not notified. Deleting the Find My app does not end sharing; you have to reinstall it and switch it off.
Which one to use
| Situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Meeting a friend in the next hour | WhatsApp, 15 minutes or 1 hour |
| The other person doesn’t use WhatsApp | Google Maps link |
| Family on iPhones | Find My, indefinitely |
| Long road trip | WhatsApp, 8 hours |
If you are setting up a new phone, our guide to transferring data to a new phone covers the rest, and the WhatsApp backup guide keeps your chats safe.
When it doesn’t work
- The other person doesn’t see you move: make sure GPS is on and the app has location permission.
- The option is missing on iPhone: update iOS and check that both phones run iOS 15 or later.
- The dot is far off: signal gets worse in buildings and garages. Step outside and wait a few seconds.
- You forgot you were sharing: check WhatsApp, Maps and Find My for lists of people who can see you. In WhatsApp, it is under Settings > Privacy > Live location.
Frequently asked questions
Does the person know when I stop sharing?
On iPhone, Apple says they are not notified. In WhatsApp and Google Maps, the map simply stops updating for them.
Can I share from an iPhone to an Android phone?
Yes, through WhatsApp or a Google Maps link. Find My and Messages sharing is built for Apple devices.
How long can I share?
WhatsApp offers 15 minutes, 1 hour or 8 hours. iPhone offers one hour, until the end of the day, or indefinitely. A Google Maps link lasts up to 24 hours.
Does it drain the battery?
Continuous location sharing uses GPS and data, so the battery drops faster. On a long trip, keep the phone plugged in.
