Google Rolls Out Realtime Location Sharing in Messages

Google has begun rolling out a long-awaited realtime location sharing feature in its Messages app for Android devices, allowing users to share their live position directly within conversations without switching to other applications.

The update, part of the March 2026 Android Feature Drop, enables participants in a chat to view a recipient's location updating in real time on an interactive map. This differs from the app's existing one-time location sharing, which sends a static Google Maps link that does not change as the user moves. The new option is particularly useful for scenarios such as coordinating meetups, tracking commutes, or confirming safe arrivals, according to Google.

To activate the feature, users tap the plus icon in a conversation, select "Realtime location," and choose a sharing duration from presets like one hour or "today only," or set a custom period up to nearly 24 hours using a clock interface. Once shared, a banner appears at the top of the chat indicating the active sharing period and allowing users to stop it with a single tap. Recipients receive a notification to view the live map, which can be expanded for better visibility. The feature integrates...