Google brings live locations sharing feature to Android, here’s how it works and what it means for users

Sharing your location with friends or family is about to get easier on Android devices. Google is reportedly rolling out a new live ‘location sharing’ feature that will allow Android users to share their live location directly from system settings, without the need for third-party apps such as WhatsApp or Google Maps.

With this feature, new Location Sharing controls are expected to be baked into Google Play Services, to easily manage and even switch off location-sharing with a quick tap. According to X tipster @AssembleDebug, the latest version of Google Play Services offers a new page in Settings > Google >All Services called ‘Google Location Sharing’.

Here, you will find a toggle with ‘Use Location Sharing,’ which provides a more convenient and centralised way to manage live location sharing. With a custom shareable link, you can allow your known ones to track your whereabouts on Google Maps. Additionally, the integration with system settings suggests potential future enhancements, such as location-sharing options within notifications or through voice commands.

Currently, Google is rolling out this live location feature in phases, so it might take some weeks before everyone gets access to it. When location sharing is activated, Android OS will send a notification to inform the user that their location is currently being shared. This feature will also display a list of users who have access to the user’s location, enhancing transparency.