In today’s world, knowing how to use a location tracker with Google Map can come in handy for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re keeping tabs on your kids, making sure your elderly parents are safe, or just wanting to share your location with friends, Google Map’s location sharing feature is easy to use and incredibly useful. Here’s a quick overview of how to accomplish this task: simply open Google Maps, navigate to the menu, select ‘Location sharing’, choose who to share with and for how long, and you’re set!
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Use a Location Tracker with Google Map
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s make sure we’re clear on what we’ll accomplish here. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know exactly how to share your real-time location with someone using Google Map, and you’ll also know how to view someone else’s shared location.
Step 1: Open Google Maps
Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
When you open Google Maps, make sure you’re signed in with your Google account. You’ll need to be signed in to share your location.
Step 2: Navigate to the Menu
Click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the screen.
The menu is where you’ll find various options for Google Maps, including ‘Your timeline’, ‘Offline maps’, and our point of interest, ‘Location sharing’.
Step 3: Select ‘Location sharing’
Tap on ‘Location sharing’ in the menu.
After you tap ‘Location sharing’, you’ll be brought to a screen that shows you who you’re currently sharing your location with, if anyone.
Step 4: Choose Who to Share With and For How Long
Select ‘New Share’ and choose who to share your location with and for how long.
You can share your location with someone from your Google Contacts or by copying a link to your location. You can also choose how long you want to share your location, from 15 minutes to 3 days, or even indefinitely.
Step 5: Start Sharing Your Location
Tap ‘Share’ to start sharing your location.
Once you’ve selected who to share with and for how long, tap ‘Share’, and your location will be shared with the chosen contact for the specified amount of time.
After completing these steps, your real-time location will be shared with the chosen contacts for the duration you’ve selected. They will be able to see your location on their Google Maps app and track your movements as long as you’ve chosen to share.
Tips for Using a Location Tracker with Google Map
- Make sure that your phone’s GPS is turned on for accurate location sharing.
- Always check your privacy settings to manage who can see your location.
- Remember that sharing your location can drain your phone’s battery faster than usual.
- Use location sharing responsibly and only with people you trust.
- Consider using the ‘Share live location until you arrive’ feature for one-off trips to let contacts know you’ve reached safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop sharing my location before the time I set expires?
Yes, you can stop sharing your location at any time by going back into ‘Location sharing’ and tapping on the contact you’re sharing with, then select ‘Stop’.
Is it possible to share my location with someone who doesn’t have a Google account?
Yes, you can share your location with anyone by selecting ‘Copy to clipboard’ and sending them the link through any messaging platform.
Will the person I’m sharing my location with be able to see my past movements?
No, they will only be able to see your location from the moment you start sharing it.
Can I share my location with multiple people at the same time?
Yes, you can share your location with multiple contacts by repeating the sharing process for each person.
What happens if I lose internet connection while sharing my location?
Your location will not update until you regain connection, but your last known location will still be visible to the person you’re sharing with.
Summary
- Open Google Maps on your smartphone.
- Navigate to the menu.
- Select ‘Location sharing’.
- Choose who to share with and for how long.
- Start sharing your location.
Conclusion
Using a location tracker with Google Map is a powerful tool that can provide peace of mind, safety, and convenience. Whether you’re a parent keeping an eye on your children or a friend meeting up with your group, the ability to share your location in real-time is invaluable. It’s important to use this feature responsibly and understand the privacy implications that come with it. Remember to share only with people you trust and to manage your privacy settings to maintain control over who can see your whereabouts. With the steps provided in this article and the tips to optimize your experience, you’ll be sharing your location like a pro in no time. So, go ahead and give it a try – after all, staying connected and safe is what today’s technology is all about, isn’t it?
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.