How to track friends and family using Google Maps

TRACKING someone on Google Maps is a great trick – whether you're meeting somewhere or trying to make sure someone gets home safe.

If you want to track someone, you'll need to use Google's live location sharing feature.

Tracking someone without their permission using Google Maps would involve some kind of breach of privacy.

So we wouldn't recommend that.

But if you're trying to real-time track a friend who has shared their location like you would on WhatsApp, Google Maps definitely allows that.

To track a friend, they'll need to do one of the following...

How to share Google Maps location on iPhone and iPad

If you want to share your Google Maps location on an iPhone or iPad, you first need to open the app up.

Once Google Maps is open, you need to search for a place and then touch and hold it down.

After it's secured, you can drop a pin in it and tap the place or the address at the bottom.

You can then share and choose the app you wish to send it through to someone.

A link to the map will then be sent and the person receiving it can view the exact location.

Now you can decide how long you want to share your location and who to.

You can tick as many contact names as you like.

When you're ready, tap the Share button on your iPhone.

The people you selected will now receive an alert to track you.

How to share Google Maps location on Android

If you have an Android phone and want to share your location, it works in a similar way to Apple products.

All you have to do is open the Google Maps app and click on the profile picture.

Then search for your location or the place you want to send to someone.

Dropping a pin works the same way as it does on an iPhone or iPad.

Tap the area and hold to make the pin appear.

Then simply confirm the place at the bottom of the app and share.

Now you can select how long you want to share your location and select each person you want to see it.

How to share Google Maps location on PC

On your computer, open Google Maps.

Go to the directions, map or Street View image you would like to share.

Then in the top left you can click the menu button.

PC users can select the share button or embed the map.

To share, simply copy and paste the link and sent it to whoever you need to.

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