Google Messages Rolls Out Live Location Sharing on Android

Google Messages is finally letting Android users share their real-time location right inside a text conversation. The long-awaited feature, powered by Google’s Find Hub and Maps, is now reaching devices worldwide and puts Google’s default messaging app on equal footing with rivals like WhatsApp and Telegram.

What the New Feature Does and How It Works

Google has started rolling out real-time location sharing to Google Messages users.1 Google announced this feature as part of its March 2026 Android updates.1

To use it, tap the plus icon in a chat and then choose Real-time location.1 Unlike other icons, the real-time location sharing option appears in green to immediately attract your attention.2

Once activated, a continuously updating map card drops directly into your conversation thread. The map updates continuously as you move, so friends can watch your approach in real time.3

Here are the duration options available:

• For 1 hour (default setting)
• Today only (shares until the end of the current day)
• Until you turn this off (stays active indefinitely)
• Custom duration (set a specific window using a clock picker)

Choose the custom option, and you can specify a time period up to 23 hours and 59 minutes.1 You can select the custom duration option to set a time as short as one minute or as long as 24 hours.2

Google Messages real-time location sharing feature on Android phones

Privacy Controls Keep Users in Charge

Google clearly thought about safety before launching this feature. Once real-time location sharing is active, a persistent banner appears at the top of the chat, clearly indicating that live location sharing is on and showing how much time is left.4

Location sharing in Messages is permission-based, time-bound, and clearly indicated in the conversation, which helps prevent accidental oversharing.5 You can stop sharing at any moment with a single tap.

Android presents ongoing notifications when location is being shared, and you can end it at any time from the chat, the notification shade, or system-level location settings.6

One thing worth noting on the privacy front: Google clarifies that while messages in Google Messages may be protected with end-to-end encryption, live location sharing operates differently. The feature is powered by its mapping infrastructure and processes location data to deliver the service. As a result, it is governed by Google’s broader Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.7

Key Takeaway: Your live location data is processed through Google’s servers, not through the end-to-end encrypted message pipeline. Only share with people you trust.

It Works Even if the Other Person Does Not Have the Update

One of the smartest decisions Google made here is making this feature cross-compatible. The feature works even if the other person does not have the real-time location feature on their end. The recipient will receive a link to the live location. If they have the Google Find Hub app installed, the link opens directly in the app. If they don’t, the link opens in a web browser, displaying the sender’s live location in real time.4

The feature works in one-to-one and group threads.6 That makes it useful for coordinating family trips, group meetups, or even work errands without forcing everyone to install a separate app.

The feature is part of RCS, the modern messaging standard Google has championed for years. This only works in RCS chats. If you are texting someone using regular SMS, you will not see this feature.3

How Google Messages Compares to WhatsApp

The big question on everyone’s mind is obvious. How does this stack up against WhatsApp, the global leader in live location sharing?

Google Messages actually offers more flexibility with its custom duration picker and the ability to share for a full day. WhatsApp lets you share your live location for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours.8 Google’s maximum of 24 hours gives it a clear edge for longer trips and travel days.

However, WhatsApp still holds an advantage on the privacy side. WhatsApp uses encryption, so only the recipient can see your location.8 Google’s approach routes location data through its mapping servers, which may concern privacy-focused users.

Why This Update Matters for Android Users

Live location sharing is a long-overdue addition to Google Messages. It also comes after rival apps like WhatsApp have offered similar features for years now.1

The timing is significant. In 2025, RCS had over one and a half billion monthly active users, and its reach is still growing.9 Google reported that more than a billion person-to-person RCS messages are sent every day in the U.S. alone.10 With that kind of scale, adding live location sharing directly into the default Android texting app eliminates friction for millions of people.

Expect some battery impact, as continuous location updates use GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular signals. In practice, the hit is similar to turn-by-turn navigation.5

Reports from users and testers indicate the rollout is server-side, so availability can vary by device and region.6 Both beta and stable users are getting the feature.1 If you do not see it yet, make sure your Google Messages app is updated from the Play Store.

Google added a dot to the plus icon to quietly alert users to the presence of live location sharing.1 A few Redditors have complained about this persistent dot, suggesting that it could be a bug.1

For years, Android users had to juggle between Google Maps and their texting app just to tell a friend where they were. That workaround is finally over. Whether you are getting picked up at the airport, meeting someone at a crowded concert, or just want a loved one to know you made it home safe, this feature delivers peace of mind in a single tap. If you have already tried it, drop a comment below and let us know how it worked for you.