Can iPhone Share Location With Android? 5 Ways That Work

Why Find My doesn’t work with Android

You can’t use Apple’s Find My app to share your location with an Android phone. It’s designed to work only within the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac). When you use the “Share My Location” feature in iMessage, it relies on Apple IDs to work. Since your friends on Android don’t have one, it’s a no-go.

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You just need to use an app that works on both platforms.

Full disclosure: we make Bobble, which is in this guide. We tell you who each app fits, including when it’s not us.

Quick comparison of location sharing methods

1. Google Maps location sharing

This is the most flexible way to share your location from an iPhone to Android. You can share for a short period or indefinitely with people you trust. Both of you will need the Google Maps app and a Google account.

Best for: Ongoing sharing with a close friend or your partner.

How to share your location with Google Maps

1. Open the app and tap your profileOpen Google Maps and tap your profile picture (pfp) in the top right corner.
2. Go to Location sharingFrom the menu, choose ‘Location sharing’, then tap the ‘New share’ button.
3. Set the durationYou can share for a set amount of time (from 15 minutes to 1 day) or choose ‘Until you turn this off’ for continuous sharing.
4. Choose your friendSelect your friend from your Google contacts. If they aren’t there, you can copy a share link and send it via any messaging app.

What your Android friend sees

Your friend will get a notification in their Google Maps app. When they open it, they’ll see your pfp moving in real-time on their map. Google Maps also shows them your phone’s battery level.

How to stop sharing

Open Google Maps, go back to ‘Location sharing’, tap on the person’s name at the bottom of the screen, and then tap the ‘Stop’ button. They will no longer see your location.

2. WhatsApp Live Location

If you just need to share your location for a little while, WhatsApp is perfect. Built right into your chats with a clear time limit, it’s great for coordinating a meetup or letting someone know you’re on your way.

Best for: Meeting up with friends or for short-term safety.

How to share your location with WhatsApp

1. Open a chatGo into the individual or group chat you want to share with.
2. Tap the plus iconTap the ‘+’ icon to the left of the message box, then choose ‘Location’.
3. Share your Live LocationTap ‘Share Live Location’. You’ll need to grant WhatsApp location permissions if you haven’t already.
4. Pick a durationChoose to share for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours. You can also add a comment. Then hit send.

What your Android friend sees

A small map will appear in the chat window. They can tap on it to see your pfp moving on a full-screen map. If multiple people in a group chat are sharing, they’ll all appear on the same map.

How to stop sharing

Just go back to the chat and tap the red ‘Stop Sharing’ button under the map. The location sharing will end for everyone in the chat.

3. Snap Map

If your crew is already on Snapchat, Snap Map is an easy way to see what everyone’s up to. Less about precise tracking and more about seeing which friends are hanging out together, a 2024 YPulse report found that 42% of 18-24 year-olds use Snap Map.

Best for: Seeing the general whereabouts of your Snapchat friends.

How to control your location on Snap Map

Your location is only shared with people you’ve added as friends. You have a few options in your Snap Map settings:

• Ghost Mode: Your location is hidden from everyone.
• My Friends: All your Snapchat friends can see your location.
• My Friends, Except…: Share with all friends except for a few you select.
• Only These Friends…: Only the specific friends you choose can see you.

You can find these settings by opening the map and tapping the gear icon.

What your Android friend sees

When they open Snap Map, they’ll see your Actionmoji (your Bitmoji avatar) on the map at your current location. If you’re with another friend who is also sharing, your avatars might appear together.

Watch out: Your location updates whenever you have the Snapchat app open. If you want to find other apps that show your friends on a map, there are other options.

Where Bobble fits

Some friend groups don’t need exact locations. They just want to feel connected and know what everyone is up to, like who’s at the gym or home for the night. That’s what we built Bobble for.

Your close friends show up as 3D bobbleheads with a status at the top of your phone. There’s no map to zoom in on.

Best for: A close crew who wants to feel together without a feed or a map.

Watch out: Bobble is in public beta on iPhone and not on the App Store yet. The Android version is not yet available in the US.

Try it: make your Bobble →

4. Instagram Map

Instagram has a map feature, but you need to know how it works. It does not share your live, real-time location. Instead, it shows the location of places you’ve recently tagged in posts or Stories. It’s more about where you’ve been, not where you are right now.

Best for: Sharing cool spots you’ve visited with friends.

How to control your location on Instagram Map

The feature is off by default. You can enable it in your ‘Privacy and security’ settings. Even when it’s on, it only shows locations you’ve actively tagged. It’s not running in the background.

What your Android friend sees

If they are your friend on Instagram and you’ve enabled sharing, they can see your pfp on the map at locations you’ve tagged. It’s a collection of past moments, not a live feed.

Watch out: This is not the tool for meeting up or checking if a friend is safe. It’s purely for sharing places.

5. Send a one-time pin

This is the simplest method of all. You’re just sending a static pin of your current location. Like taking a screenshot of your position on a map and sending it, it will not update as you move.

Best for: Quickly showing someone where you are right now.

How to send a pin from your iPhone

• From Google Maps: Press and hold on your current location on the map to drop a pin. Then tap the ‘Share’ button and send the link.
• From Apple Maps: Tap the arrow to center on your location. Then tap your blue location dot and select ‘Share My Location’. Send it via text or another app.

What your Android friend sees

They’ll receive a URL. A link from Google Maps will open in their Google Maps app. A link from Apple Maps will open in their phone’s web browser, showing a static map of the location you sent.

Don’t want a pin on a map at all?

Sometimes you don’t want to share your exact coordinates. You just want your crew to know you’re busy at work, vibing to music, or finally asleep. This is where a status app works better than a map.

It gives your friends the context without the coordinates. They know what you’re up to, not exactly where you are.

You can see your friends’ statuses in your Dynamic Island or on your home screen, so you feel close without feeling watched.

Make your Bobble →

Troubleshooting common issues

If your location isn’t updating for your friend, here are a few things to check on your iPhone:

• Location Services: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Make sure the app you’re using (like Google Maps) is set to ‘Always’ or ‘While Using the App’.
• Background App Refresh: In Settings, find the app and ensure ‘Background App Refresh’ is enabled.
• Low Power Mode: This mode can limit background activities, including location updates. Try turning it off.
• Expired Link: If you sent a share link from Google Maps, it might have expired. Try sending a new one.

Stay in control of your location

Sharing your location is built on trust. Be mindful of how and when you share it.

• Share with your real friends. Only share your live location with people you know and trust in real life.
• Do a monthly check-up. Once a month, open your location-sharing apps and review who can see you. Remove anyone you no longer want to share with.
• Know how to stop. Make sure you know how to stop sharing in every app you use. It should only take a few taps.

These tools are great for staying connected with your favorite people. For more ideas, check out our guide to the best apps to stay close with friends.