Google Messages Adds Real-Time Location Sharing, Closing the Gap with WhatsApp
Long awaited by Android users, the real-time location sharing feature is now available in Google Messages. This new feature, initially spotted in beta testing, allows users to share their live GPS location with contacts directly within the app. Here’s how it works and why it enhances the messaging experience.
Real-Time Location Sharing: A Feature Gaining Momentum
WhatsApp and Messenger have offered real-time location sharing for some time. Now, in March 2026, Google’s messaging application provides a comparable feature, addressing a key gap in functionality. The feature was first identified last month before its wider rollout to users.
This update enables users to send their live GPS location to a contact, eliminating the need for third-party applications to indicate their whereabouts. Sharing is initiated directly from within the conversation with a few simple steps.
With this addition, Google Messages is catching up to its competitors, offering a user-friendly tool even for those unfamiliar with location-sharing features.
How to Share Your Real-Time Location
To begin, open a conversation in the Google Messages app. Tap the plus icon (“+”) to the left of the text input field, then select “Real-time location” from the options. A map will then appear, displaying your current address and GPS location. You can adjust the zoom level as needed.
- Open a conversation in the messaging app
- Tap the “+” button to the left of the input field
- Select the “Real-time location” button
- Choose the desired sharing duration
- Press “Send” to transmit your location
Controlling the Duration of Location Sharing
By default, Google Messages offers a sharing duration of 1 hour. This setting is suitable for many everyday situations. However, you can customize this duration to fit your specific needs.
Pressing the duration button reveals two additional options: “Today only,” which keeps sharing active until the end of the day, and “Custom duration.” The “Custom duration” option allows for precise control, with a maximum duration of 23 hours and 59 minutes. This flexibility accommodates various scenarios, such as tracking a commute or coordinating a group outing.
What Your Contact Sees
Once you send your location, the recipient can follow your movements for the specified duration. A banner appears at the top of the conversation to remind you that location sharing is active. The recipient views a continuously updated map without complex navigation.
Initial testing was conducted on a Pixel 10, and deployment may vary depending on the device.
Minor Bug Identified
A minor visual bug has been identified: the dot indicating the presence of the new feature on the “+” button does not disappear after utilize. Google is likely to address this in a future update, as such anomalies are common during initial deployment phases. This bug does not affect the functionality of real-time location sharing.
To access this feature, ensure your Google Messages application is updated to the latest version. The rollout of real-time location sharing began in March 2026, and distribution is ongoing.
This addition marks a significant milestone for Google Messages, providing a practical solution for reassuring loved ones, easily coordinating meetups, or sharing your location even as traveling.
As noted by Reddit users, Google Messages offers end-to-end encryption when texting other Android phone users, ensuring privacy. PhoneArena highlights that this feature further reduces the need to retain WhatsApp installed.