Although there’s no shortage of apps that allow you to share your location with other people, WhatsApp, a free, worldwide messaging and call service that’s available in 180 countries, now offers a location-sharing option.
Location-sharing via WhatsApp
On Oct. 17, WhatsApp announced its users now can share their location in real-time with friends of family. The feature, called Live Location, is an “end-to-end encrypted feature [that] lets you control who you share [your location] with and for how long,” reported the WhatsApp blog.
“You can choose to stop sharing at any time or let the Live Location timer simply expire,” the blog post added.
This is how the new feature works:
- Open a chat with a person or group with which you’d like to share your location.
- Select the new option “Share Live Location,” which appears under “Location.”
- Next, choose how long you’d like to share your location information and tap “Send.”
“Each person in the chat will be able to see your real-time location on a map,” the blog noted. “And if more than one person shares their Live Location in the group, all locations will be visible on the same map.”
The new feature is available on Android and iPhone.
If the new service hasn’t rolled out to users by the time this post is published, it will become available very soon.
The WhatsApp difference
Although many other messaging platforms allow people to share their location — think Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Foursquare and Snapchat — WhatsApp’s new feature is a bit different.
“…You’ll have the option not just to put a pin on the map where you are, but to let them track you continuously for a duration of your choosing — a version of this feature was tested earlier this year,” TechCrunch reported.
“Fifteen minutes, an hour and eight hours seem to be the three lengths of time you can choose from, though of course you can also turn off location sharing manually if you reach your destination or wish to conceal your movements,” the publication added.
Safety
The new feature seems to be highly safety-aware. TechCrunch even posited the update was developed to help people make certain a loved one, friend or family member safely makes their way home.
“There are a few safety apps out there already, but this is a simpler way to keep track of someone if you can’t walk or drive them home yourself,” TechCrunch noted. “Plus, it’s on a widely used cross-platform app that isn’t Messenger.”
What this means for you
We’re behind and totally support any and all location sharing services that have users’ safety in mind. So, this addition from WhatsApp gets our thumbs up.
We’re also happy the update allows users to choose how long their location is available. Th hyper-specific information surely will help ease loved ones’ minds if they’re waiting for you to return home from a meet-and-greet, a convention hall, show, etc.
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Abbie Stutzer is a writer and editor from Lawrence, Kansas. Find her on Twitter at @abbiestutzer and on Insta at @abbiestutzer. Email her at abbie@ynotcam.com.
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