How to Share Your Location With Family Members

Sharing your location with family gives loved ones peace of mind and helps you find each other quickly. Here is how to set it up on iPhone and Android.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Share location on iPhone using Find My
2.Share location on iPhone or Android using Google Maps
3.Understand what the other person sees
4.Adjust location privacy settings if you change your mind

Share location on iPhone using Find My

~39s

Open the Find My app on your iPhone (it comes pre-installed — search for it if you don't see it). Tap "People" at the bottom. Tap "Share My Location" or the "+" button. Type in the name or phone number of the family member you want to share with — they need to have an iPhone and an Apple ID. Choose whether to share "For One Hour," "Until End of Day," or "Share Indefinitely." They will receive a notification and can accept your location sharing request.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Both people can share with each other — so you can also see where your family member is, not just the other way around. Each person has to agree to sharing.

Share location on iPhone or Android using Google Maps

~36s

Open Google Maps on your phone. Tap your profile picture at the top right → "Location sharing" → "Share location." Choose how long to share (1 hour, until you turn it off, etc.). Select the contact you want to share with — they can see your location in Google Maps or receive a link by text or email. Your location shows as a dot on their map. To stop sharing, go back to Location sharing and tap your nameStop.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Google Maps location sharing works across iPhone and Android — great for mixed-device families where some members have iPhones and others have Android phones.

Understand what the other person sees

~38s

When you share your location, the other person sees: a dot on a map showing where you are, updated in real time approximately every few minutes. They can see your battery percentage (so they know if your phone is about to die). They do NOT see your call history, messages, photos, or any other data — only your location. You can turn off location sharing at any time and the other person will see "Location unavailable."

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Some families use location sharing for practical reasons: coordinating meeting at a busy location, checking a family member arrived home after a drive in bad weather, or verifying a delivery person's arrival. It doesn't have to be about safety alone.

Adjust location privacy settings if you change your mind

~27s

To stop sharing your location: in Find My, go to "People," tap the person's name, and tap "Stop Sharing My Location." In Google Maps, tap your profile picture → Location sharing → tap your active share → "Stop." You can also pause location sharing temporarily: on iPhone, go to SettingsPrivacy & SecurityLocation Services and toggle Location Services off (this stops all location features including Maps navigation, so turn it back on when done).

You Did It!

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Sharing your location with family members — a spouse, adult child, or sibling — can provide real comfort for everyone involved. If you go out and are later than expected, a family member can check where you are without a phone call. If you are in an unfamiliar area, someone else can see you arrived safely. Many older adults share their location with adult children as a way to maintain independence while providing reassurance.

Location sharing is optional, private, and controlled entirely by you — you choose who sees your location, and you can stop sharing at any time. The location is only shared with the specific people you approve. No one else can see it.

This guide covers the two most common ways to share your location: using Apple's Find My (for iPhones) and Google Maps (available on both iPhone and Android).

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