This WIRED guide, updated in July 2026, explains the various ways smartphone users can share their location with friends and family, whether for a one-off meet-up or an extended period. It matters because location sharing has become a routine convenience for navigation and staying in touch, and the article walks through the built-in and third-party tools available across both iPhone and Android devices.

The guide covers six methods. Google Maps works on both platforms and lets users share for a set time via contacts (using their Gmail address) or a shareable link. Apple's Find My is the simplest option for those using iPhones, iPads or iPod Touch, offering sharing for one hour, until the end of the day, or indefinitely. Facebook Messenger allows live sharing for one hour within a conversation, while WhatsApp offers either a current-location snapshot or live sharing from 15 minutes up to eight hours. The article also details Apple's Emergency SOS, which texts and shares location with emergency contacts when triggered by the power and volume buttons, plus Android's emergency sharing options, which vary by manufacturer.