How to Share Your Location on iPhone or iPad

From group texts to multiperson phone calls, the iPhone and iPad make getting together with friends and family super easy. When you share your location, there's no confusion about where you are or where to meet. Instead of telling people where you are, send your exact location using your device's GPS features. That way, they get turn-by-turn directions that lead right to you. There are several ways to send your location on iPhone and iPad.

How to Share Your Location Using iCloud or Family Sharing

Sharing your location is built into the iCloud and Family Sharing features of the iPhone and iPad. To use these features, turn on Location services and set up a Family Sharing or an iCloud account. With that done, send your location using the iPhone or iPad by following these steps:

1. Tap Settings.

2. Tap your name. In earlier versions of the iOS, skip this step.

3. Tap Find My.

4. Move the Share My Location slider to the On (green) position.

   

5. To stop location sharing, move the slider to the Off (white) position.

How to Share Your Location Using the Messages App

​Messages, the texting app that comes pre-installed with the iOS, lets you share your location, too. This makes it easy to send a simple "meet me here" message for a meetup. Here's what to do:

1. Tap Messages.

2. Tap the conversation with the person who you want to share your location.

3. Tap the name of the person, then tap the Info icon.

   

4. Tap Send My Current Location to share your location at the moment you send it. A map with your location on it is sent by text.

5. Tap Share My Location to send your location as you move over a defined period of time. Then, choose the duration for sharing your location: Share for One Hour, Share Until End of Day, or Share Indefinitely.

   

6. Send the message.

How to Share Your Location Using the Apple Maps App

You can also the Maps app that comes with the iPhone and iPad to share your location. This makes it easy for the people meeting you to get turn-by-turn directions. Here's how:

1. Tap the Maps app.

2. Tap the location arrow in the upper-right corner to make sure your location is precise.

3. Tap the blue dot that represents your current location.

4. Tap Share My Location.

5. In the sharing sheet, select how to share your location. Options include Messages, Mail, and others.

6. In the To text box, enter the recipient or address information.

   

7. Send your location.

How to Send Your Location Using Facebook Messenger

Lots of third-party apps support sending your location. When using those, it makes sense to use popular apps that a lot of people you want to share with also use. Tons of people have Facebook Messenger on their phones and use it to coordinate getting together. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Messenger app and tap the person you want to share your location with.

2. Tap the four-dot icon at the bottom of the screen.

3. Tap Location.

4. Tap Share Live Location for 60 Minutes.

   

How to Send Your Location Using Google Maps

If you prefer Google Maps over Apple Maps, sharing your location with that is an option if you follow these steps:

1. Tap Google Maps to open it.

2. Tap the person icon in the upper-right corner.

3. Tap Location sharing.

4. Tap Share Location (you must be signed into your Google account).

5. To control how long to share your location, tap duration and then tap the + and - icons. Or, set location sharing to run Until you turn this off to share indefinitely.

   

6. Choose how to share your location using the icons at the bottom of the screen. Tap the names of your contacts to share with them or tap More Options to choose from other apps for sharing.

How to Send Your Location Using WhatsApp

WhatsApp is another hugely popular chat app, used by tens of millions of people worldwide​. Here's how to use it to share your location:

1. Tap WhatsApp to open it.

2. Tap the conversation with the person or people on your contacts list you want to share your location with or enter a phone number in the field provided.

3. Tap the + icon next to the message field.

4. Tap Location.

5. Tap Share Live Location to share your location as you move. Or, tap Send Your Current Location to share only your present location, which won't update if you move.