Today, It is one of the most used Google services worldwide. Well, in a novel way, it emerges as a solution for provide maps via the web in order to guide its users to their destination, regardless of location. In addition to that, It has also expanded its functions and these are constantly updated.
In this way, they can get scrollable map images, satellite photos, a route calculator for walking, driving, public transport or cycling, a GPS navigator, details about real-time traffic conditions, etc. With this, it stands out for being an open and flexible application, it’s easy to useallows both sending and printing as well as linking the maps and is a platform optimized for mobile devices.
Now, one of its best updates refers to the fact that it offers the possibility of share your location in real time through the main instant messaging apps with the objective that your contacts know how to reach you in a specific way. Given its importance, below, we will show you how to do it on WhatsApp, Messenger and Telegram.
Learn step by step how to share your Google Maps location in real time with your closest friends
While it is true, currently Google Maps is a service that manages to link up with instant messaging applications in order to provide greater functionality and facilitate people’s connections. Now, once you decide to share your location in real time with other contacts, you must take into account that these users can see your name, profile picture and location in real time across all Google services.
In this sense, this location function has the power to show where you have just been, if you are walking or driving, and even some data about your sites and your mobile phone. However, in most instant messaging apps, it is a feature that is kept end-to-end encrypted and apart, it allows you decide how long you will share your location in real time (in most cases).
Thus, having clarified all of the above, we proceed to detail the different steps to follow to be able to share your location, correctly, through WhatsApp, using Facebook Messenger or through Telegram:
on whatsapp
for some time, WhatsApp together with google maps allows you to send your location in real time so that other users can track your location and thus, find you faster.
However, there are still many people who do not know how they can do it and that is why, below, we explain the step by step to follow:
- To start, Access the WhatsApp mobile appfrom your smartphone or tablet and look for the chat of the person with whom you want to share the location. It is even possible to share the location in a group and if this is your case, of course, you will have to open the group chat in question.
- After that, next to “Write a message”press the icon “To attach” and with it, a menu containing several options will be displayed.
- Next, it is time to select the option that says “Location”.
- Having done the above, if the GPS of your device is deactivated, the system will indicate it and from there, you will have to enable it to be able to use this function.
- Then, in the panel, you have to press the option “Send location in real time”.
- Once you choose the mentioned option, they will automatically show you your location on the screen and right there, you must select for how long you want to share it on WhatsApp (15 minutes, 1 hour or 8 hours). Also, at that point, you can add whatever comment you want.
- To conclude, just press the send icon and thus, you will have already shared your location. In case you want to stop sharing it before the established time, you simply have to enter the chat in question and press the button that indicates “Stop sharing”.
On Facebook Messenger
With more than 1.3 billion users, Facebook Messenger ranks as another of the most relevant instant messaging apps of all in the digital world. This, as well as WhatsApp, too is able to integrate with Google Maps to offer better location-based features to its users. Thanks to this, today, there is the possibility of share your location in real time with your contacts and group chats.
Luckily, it is also very easy to do and to clear up any doubt, here we show you the process that must be carried out:
- As in the previous case, start with enter the Messenger mobile app and through the search bar at the top, locate individual or group chat in which you want to show your location in real time.
- Now it’s time to press the attach button that you find in the lower left corner of the screen. Done that, you have to Click on the “Location” option.
- Then, if the app requests it, it is necessary accept the permissions required to be able to use this function.
- Following that, they will show you a map where they show your specific location and there, you must select the button that indicates “Start sharing your location”. In this way, it will automatically remain active for 60 minutes (it is not possible to choose the time as in WhatsApp).
- If you prefer stop sharing it before the 60 minutes are uponly access the chat in question and click on “Stop sharing”.
on Telegram
It is no secret to anyone that another of the most used applications in terms of instant messaging, both in Android like in iOS, it’s Telegram. Which also has integration with google maps and thanks to this, it offers the possibility of send the location in real time to share it with other users of the service.
So, if you want them to know where to find you easily, while you communicate with your friends via Telegram; It is important that you know each of the steps to follow to share your location live or in real time with the help of Google service.
Therefore, here are the steps to complete:
- Initially, from your smartphone, go to Telegram and proceeds to search for the chat where you want to share your location. Either with one person or with a group.
- Next, make sure you have enabled the function of Location or GPS of your mobile and after that, choose the “Attach” icon in the Message section (it is located on the right side).
- When they show you the options menu, it’s time to Click on “Location” from the bottom.
- Now if necessary accept all the permissions that Telegram requires in order to enable this feature in your account.
- After that, they will show you a small map along with two available options. In this case, you have to choose the option “Location in real time…”.
- Later, in the corresponding box, the system offers you the possibility to select for how long the contact in question will be able to observe your exact location. So, you must choose between 15 minutes, 1 hour or 8 hours (just like WhatsApp).
- To confirm the action, just subtract Click on “Share” and ready.
What is the difference between my “Current” location and my “Real Time” location?
Usually, there are many people who they often confuse the real-time location with the current location or vice versa, when sharing your location through an instant messaging app. However, this is a big mistake, since both types of locations they work differently.
In this sense, we specify that the location in real time refers to a type of location that allows you to know where a certain user is moving right at the moment they do so or, live and direct.
Therefore, if this function is active for an hour, for example, the other person will be able to see exactly what are the movements of the user in that time interval. On the other hand, unlike real-time location, current location operates in a much more secretive manner. Since, this only focuses on display the location of the user at a given time and, if the person goes to another area, you will not be able to know it in any way (unless you share your location again).
Consequently, the difference between both types of locations that can be share on WhatsApp and Telegramis that the current location only shows the point where the user is located just when you send said location. While, the real-time location is responsible for presenting all the places where the person is going during the time that you have established to share it. Allowing so, your tracking live and direct to track in a specific period (with limited time).
List of the best apps to share my location alternatives to Google Maps
Despite Google map service guarantees notable advantages and has optimal performance, certainly, there are various people looking for other similar alternativesfor pleasure or for any reason.
That is why it is worth knowing some solutions similar to Google Maps that allow easy location sharing and here, we present three of them:
Waze
One of the main alternatives is this service designed by Google. Basically, Waze was created as a social network for drivers in order to facilitate their necessary tasks and be aware of everything that happens on the road (accidents, traffic jams or any incident). Whereby, its value lies in navigation and in its own community which is in charge of keeping the map information updated in real time.
However, one of its best features refers to the possibility it offers to share the location live and direct or in real time. This can be done through panel where said location can be sent to another user of the application or through other means using a unique link. Taking into account that, without limitation, Waze can be used from the web browser.
In addition to all this, the alternative app to Google Maps, helps you get anywhere faster, since it handles instant route changes with the goal of saving you as much time as possible by avoiding traffic. Added to this, it allows you get the cheapest gasoline on your route to spend less money on fuel and even It has a functionality called “Waze Audio Player” that allows you to listen to music or podcasts in your car.
Glympse
Consists in a free app compatible with Android and iOS that offers you the possibility of sharing your location in real time with any contact. Even with someone who does not have this same application installed, thanks to the fact that Glympse provides a link…
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