Google Messages Now Shares Real-Time Location – But There’s a Catch

Google Messages is catching up to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp with the rollout of real-time location sharing. The feature, initially announced in early March, is now gradually becoming available to users on both the beta and stable versions of the app. We successfully tested the functionality on version 20260306_02_RCO3.

To share your location, navigate to the conversation where you want to share and tap the plus (+) button. A new option, marked with a green icon labeled “Real-time location,” will appear in the menu. The existing option to share a static location link from Google Maps remains available as well. You may be prompted to confirm changes to your location sharing settings the first time you leverage the feature.

Sharing your location is found under the plus button within a Google Messages conversation.

Sharing Duration: From One Hour to Nearly a Full Day

You can share your location for a set period – one hour, until the end of the day – or customize the duration up to a maximum of 23 hours and 59 minutes. Google’s official help documentation also mentions an option to share “Until you turn this off,” but this setting wasn’t available during our testing. The ability to share location for extended periods offers flexibility for coordinating meetups or ensuring someone’s safety during a longer journey.

Users can choose how long to share their location, with options ranging from one hour to almost a full day.

Recipients will see a message in the chat reading “Follow my real-time location.” Tapping the link opens a map displaying your continuously updated position. If someone is sharing their location with you, you can tap the message and use the “Share” button to reciprocate.

The recipient views a live map showing the sender’s location, updated in real-time.

Google emphasizes privacy with a prominent information bar at the top of the app, clearly indicating that location sharing is active and specifying the duration. Using the feature requires being logged into a Google account.

A Persistent Dot: A Minor Annoyance in an Otherwise Useful Feature

While standard text messages are end-to-end encrypted, location sharing operates through Google’s Discover My Network, which is linked to Google Maps. In other words the feature adheres to the privacy policies of Google Maps. However, a minor but noticeable issue is currently affecting the user experience. The app displays a little dot next to the plus icon to indicate the feature is active, but this dot doesn’t disappear even after you’ve opened and used the location sharing function. According to reports, the dot only clears when the other party also shares their location. Whether this is a bug or an intentional design choice remains unclear, but it’s a frustrating quirk for users who prefer a clean interface.

The rollout of real-time location sharing in Google Messages provides a convenient way to stay connected and coordinate with friends, and family. While the persistent notification dot is a minor annoyance, the feature itself is a welcome addition, bringing Google Messages closer to feature parity with other popular messaging platforms. Google has not yet provided a timeline for addressing the notification issue, but users can expect further updates to the app in the coming weeks. For more information on Google Messages features and updates, visit the Google Messages Help Center.

What are your thoughts on the new location sharing feature? Share your experiences and feedback in the comments below.