6 Things to Know About Location Sharing on iOS in 2024

Your iPhone is your all-time partner, that sticks with you throughout the day. Quite naturally, it has access to your present location. Your iPhone is quite capable of sharing your whereabouts with other people, of course, with your permission.

Location Sharing is a feature present on the iPhone, which is quite useful when you are going to an unknown place alone. If your location sharing feature is switched on, the spot where you are standing will be immediately known to your friends and family, such that if you are in any dangerous place, your family and friends will come to your rescue.

However, if you are new to the iOS platform, you might find it challenging to share your position. To help you find a solution, virtuallocation.com discuss the things which you need to know about location sharing on iOS.

1. You Can Share Details About Your Whereabouts Both Temporarily And Permanently:

Source: wired.com

There exist two ways in which you can share your position with your friends and family: temporary and permanent.

Sharing your position temporarily is useful for several reasons. You will be able to share your position with your mother while you are in a cab or in an unknown street. However, once you reach your destination, you can switch off the location sharing option.

Select the time period for which you want to share your position—the options range in between an hour, twenty-four hours, or forever. After you choose the time option, a countdown begins. You can share your position either with an individual or with a group.

The person you are sending your position to will get a notification along with a map showing your position and your avatar on it.

Another option is to send your present position. You can use this option when you are waiting for a friend in an unknown street. Your friend will receive a static map with your avatar standing at your position.

2. You Can Share Your Location Via iMessage

Source: businessinsider.com

First, to share your position, open the chat of the person you wish to send your position to. Now, this can either be an existing conversation, or you can open up a new chat.

Step 1. Open the iMessage application on your iPhone.

Step 2. Open the message of the person with whom you want to share the position.

Step 3. Here you will see something like “i” in a circle on the top right side, tap on it.

Step 4. Now click on the ‘share my location’ option. Your position will be shared as soon as you click.

3. You Can Share Your Location Using iPhone’s Location Services:

Source: imore.com

Here you will get a list of the devices to which you want to share your position. You can add or remove devices from this list. Once you click on the sharing option, your position will be immediately known to the chosen devices. Upon receiving the prompt, your friend should tap on Accept and then tap Share, if they want to share the position of their phone with you.

Step 1. First of all, start the location service on your iPhone

Step 2. Open the Settings application and select the “Privacy” option in it.

Step 3. After this, select the “Location Services” option.

Step 4. After starting the location service, you can share your live position with your family or friends.

4. You Can Share Your Position Using The Contacts App

Source: iclarified.com

You can also share your position with your friends and family using the Contacts App. Follow the below-mentioned steps to share your position correctly.

Step 1. Tap on the Contacts app.

Step 2. Now select the contact that you want to share your position with.

Step 3. Now scroll down to the “Share my Location” option and tap on it.

Step 4. Your position will be shared as soon as you tap.

5. You Can Share Your Location Using The Apple Maps

Source: imore.com

The apple maps show the current position of all your family members if they have this setting enabled. With the help of this feature, you can even locate a lost or a missing device. It also features several security options where you can easily switch on and off where your location sharing option is at any time.

Enter the Apple ID of a friend or family member: Do this in the field labeled “To:” at the top of the screen. Alternatively, to add an Apple ID to one of your contacts, tap the plus sign on the right side of the screen.

Step 1. Open the Apple Maps app.

Step 2. Now click on the blue dot that indicates your live location.

Step 3. Now select the “Share my Location” option. Now you will be asked about the app through which you want to share your whereabouts.

Step 4. Tap on the app you want to use, and the spot where you are present will be known to your friends and family.

6. Location Sharing Can Help You Find Your Lost Phone Via Lost Mode Option:

Source: macrumors.com

It is present in the bottom center of the screen. With the help of this option, you can easily find your iPhone if it is lost in a position where it can be found by someone, or if it has been stolen by someone.

You can put an unlock password for your iPhone. It can be any random number which is not related to you in any way. It should not be any number which the stealer can easily identify.

In case your iPhone is switched on, it will get locked immediately and nobody will be able to open your phone unless and until they provide the code created by you.  Apart from seeing the spot of your phone, you will also witness a change in the location of your phone, as it is being taken from one point to another.

  • In case your iPhone is switched off, then it will lock immediately within no time when you switch it on. You will receive a notification on your email address that somebody has switched on your iPhone. Also, you can accordingly track your phone’s location.