How To Send Location On iMessage: Easy Step-By-Step Guide

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If you’re an iPhone user, you’ve probably used the Messages app to communicate with your friends and family. Did you know that you can also send your location to them using Messages?

It may come useful when you want your child to report their location and you do not want to use any spy apps because you have a good relationship with your kid.

One of my friends wanted to do this and she asked me how her daughter could report her location. I show her a few ways and then, I decided to write this article.

Let’s see how to send your location on iMessage – as well as without iMessage.

Sending Your Location On iMessage: Step-By-Step

Before I proceed with the step-by-step guide on how you can send your location on iMessage, you need to enable location sharing in the first place.

You won’t be able to send your location if this setting isn’t enabled. Your phone needs your GPS enabled in order to tell where you are at the moment. If you don’t turn on location services on your phone, it won’t be able to access the built-in GPS.

First: Enable Location Sharing

To do this, just follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app and tap “Privacy.”
Privacy option located in Settings app of an iPhone device
  1. Next, tap “Location Services”.
Location services inside Privacy options
  1. You’ll see an option called Location Services. Make sure that it is turned on.
Toggle button for Location Services to turn it on

Once location sharing is enabled, you can now send your location on iMessage.

Next: Send Your Location With iMessage

With iMessage, you can send bubble screen effects, create handwritten messages, and even share your location using the Messages app.

  1. In the Messages app, find the conversation in which you want to share your location.
  2. Check the apps list below the text and look for Google Maps.
Google Maps icon to send location inside Messages app
  1. Tap on the “Send your current location” button.
Send your current location option to preferred apps inside Messages app
  1. Once you’re done, click the blue top-facing arrow button at the side to send it.
Add some text before tapping the blue top-facing arrow to send the location
  1. Your location will now be sent as an iMessage.
Location has been sent on iMessage app

The receiver will see your current location on a map. They can also tap on the “Directions” button to get directions to your location using the Maps app.

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Want to learn more about your iPhone’s Message app? Here’s how you can remove apps from the Message app on iPhone and iPad, here’s how to turn off read receipts, and here’s how you can log out of iMessage!

Sending Your Location Without iMessage

If you’re sending your location to someone who is not an iPhone user or who doesn’t have the iMessage app, there are still plenty of free ways that you can send your current location to someone else.

Using Apple Maps

Even if you can’t use iMessage to message the other person, you can still use the default Maps app on your iOS device to send your location.

  1. Open the Maps app on your iPhone and find the location you want to share.
  2. Swipe up to bring up the menu.
Swiping up from the bottom of the screen to bring up more options
  1. Tap on the “Share My Location” button found in the lower part of the screen.
Share My Location option located in the bottom of the screen
  1. Select the “Messages” option from the share sheet.
One of the options that you can send location is the Messages app
  1. Find the conversation in which you want to share your location.
Locating the conversation you want to send the location in Messages app
  1. You can add some text before you tap on the green top-facing arrow button.
Add some text before tapping the green top-facing arrow button to send the location
  1. Your location will be sent as a regular text message.
Location sent as a regular text in the Messages app

Using Google Maps

Another way that you can still share your location with somebody else is the Google Maps app. This app is available for both Android and iPhone users.

Even if you’re an Android user who wants to send your location to an iPhone user and vice versa, Google Maps can help you.

  1. Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
  2. Find the location you want to share.
  3. Tap on your profile button in the upper-right corner.
Tapping profile button on the upper-right corner of the Google Maps app on an iPhone device
  1. Click “Location Sharing.”
Location sharing option appear after tapping your profile button in Google Maps app
  1. Tap “New Share” at the lower right side of the screen.
Tap New Share option to share location
  1. Google Maps will confirm if you’re okay to share your location with a link.
  2. Tap Share.
Permission being asked by Google Maps app to Share your current location
  1. Click “More Options.”
More options button to select additional choices to choose from
  1. Find the conversation in which you want to share your location on Google Maps.
Locating the conversation to where your current location can be sent
  1. Tap the “Send” button.
    Your location will be sent as a clickable message.
Location being sent as a regular message

Using Live Location Sharing Services

There are also live location-sharing services available that allow you to share your location in real time. Some of the best live location-sharing services include:

To share location using these services, simply open the app and share your location with the people you want to share it with. They’ll be able to see your location on a map in real-time as long as they have the app open.

Keep in mind that providing location access to apps will use your battery life more quickly.

Video With Steps

Watch our video to see the steps in action:

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FAQs

Why Won't My iPhone Let Me Share My Location?

There are many reasons why your iPhone won’t let you share your location. The most common reason is that you don’t have the feature turned on in your Settings app. It’s also possible that the other person doesn’t have iMessage, so you need to try another method listed above.

Send Location On iMessage Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of ways that you can send your location to somebody else using your iPhone or Android device. Whether you use iMessage, the Maps app, or a live location-sharing service, sending your location is quick and easy.

Did you enjoy this article? If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us in the comments below!

About The Authors

  • Hemant Mendiratta

    Hemant Mendiratta is a co-founder of TechUntold and a passionate tech blogger, avid gamer, and social media guru who keenly monitors useful apps and gadgets. He is the ideator of our Instagram tool StoryHoot which allows watching Instagram stories anonymously. You can connect with him on: Facebook, Twitter.

  • Jenn Peters

    Jenn Peters is an experienced content manager and editor who holds a degree in English and certifications in Social Media Marketing and Copywriting from the College of Media and Publishing. She has been working for TechUntold since 2018. In addition, Jenn works as a content editor for Valnet across 7 company sites, publishing numerous articles weekly. Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn.

Photo of author

Hemant Mendiratta

Hemant Mendiratta is a co-founder of TechUntold and a passionate tech blogger, avid gamer, and social media guru who keenly monitors useful apps and gadgets. He is the ideator of our Instagram tool StoryHoot which allows watching Instagram stories anonymously. You can connect with him on: Facebook, Twitter.

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