Nowadays, it is very easy to send your exact location using your smartphone’s GPS to someone instead of explaining where you are. It is so much more efficient – that even food delivery apps and taxi services utilize it to get to their destination faster.
Of course, it is not rocket science. But, you do have to know how to send your location while you are using a social media messaging app or an instant messenger or Google Maps or something similar.
For every different app you use – the location sharing works in a slightly different way. Some apps allow you to send your live location and some support pinning one location. So, in this article, we will highlight a variety of ways by which you can send your location to someone no matter what smartphone (and OS/app) you are using.
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How to Send Your Location to Someone?
Most smartphones come with inbuilt GPS these days, and this is the reason why you don’t need any additional tools to share your location online. You can utilise your smartphone’s GPS to send your location to anyone on the internet. But do you know, how GPS works?
How does GPS work?
Before we get to know how to share your location, we should also know how it actually works.
Every smartphone has a GPS receiver built in. And, the GPS receiver communicates with the satellites without needing an Internet connection or mobile network.
It actually points to the longitude and the latitude of your location (also called as the coordinates of your location which looks like – 41.40338, 2.17403 ). The value is pretty much useless for you unless you know how to read it on a real physical map.
But, in this case, we have our smartphone and the apps – which uses the data and displays the location visually on a map (generally Google Maps).
Now that you know how GPS works – how do you actually send this data to someone?
Well, you have got a lot of options, we are mentioning a few important applications here:
1. Sharing location on WhatsApp
Even though we know that it’s not the most secure messaging app – it is the favorite instant messaging service for almost every smartphone user.
So, if you want to send your location to someone who also utilizes WhatsApp, follow the steps below:
Note: In order to allow apps to collect your location, you need to ensure that you have given them permission and enabled the location services. Follow the official guides for Android and iOS if you do not know about it.
Step 1: Head to the target conversation or group (to whom you want to send) or start a new chat.
Step 2: After you enter the conversation screen, tap on the “+” sign and then select to send your location (as shown in the image above).
Step 3: Now, you can choose to send a specific location by typing an address or simply send your current location (accurate) or your live location. Most of the time your current location should be correct but if you are moving and you want someone to see your location, you should go with “Live Location“.
It will be the same for Android as well.
2. Sharing location on Facebook Messenger
Considering that now Facebook owns WhatsApp as well – the procedure is the same. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Head to the conversation or the group screen.
Step 2: Tap on the 4 dots menu to get an option to send your location (as shown in the image above).
Step 3: Pin the location required or share the live location for the next 60 minutes.
3. Send location using Google Maps (Android/iOS)
You can share your location across multiple apps (SMS, Facebook, etc.) using Google Maps.
In addition to the functionality of sharing your location, you get a lot of features which helps you identify/ping the location in an efficient manner.
Here’s how to share your location using Google Maps:
Step 1: Launch Google Map and your current location will be displayed soon after.
Step 2: Just tap on your location to find an option to “Share your location” (As shown in the image above).
Step 3: You can now share it via SMS. If you want to share via other apps installed on your device, tap on “Other“. Now, you might be asked to turn on location sharing. Proceed doing that and you will be displayed the apps through which you can share your location.
4. Send your location while using Uber
Did you know that you can send your live location to your dear ones to keep track of your travel while you are going in Uber or Ola?
To do that, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Request a ride on Uber.
Step 2: Once the ride has been confirmed, swipe up the screen and you will find an option “Send Status” or “Share trip status” or similar. You can select upto 5 people to share your trip status with.
That’s it! Happy travel!
5. Send your location via Messages (iOS)
When you try to send your location using the Message app on your iPhone, you get to use Google Maps as well – so it becomes easier. If you do not use Gmaps, Apple Maps could come in handy as well – if not the best solution.
When you compose a new message (or SMS) just swipe up to find the iMessage apps listed.
Just tap on Google maps and share your location.
Wrapping Up
Using Google Maps is the best option for you to share your location via any app or simply copy it to your clipboard. If you happen to use an iOS device, Apple Maps comes pre-installed, but it isn’t the best for all locations – so keep Google Maps installed as well.
What do you use to send your location to someone? Is it Google Maps or is it something new that we missed in this article?
Let us know in the comments below.
