Google Messages rolling out real-time location sharing on Android

Google Messages Rolls Out Real-Time Location Sharing with Find Hub Integration

In a significant update, Google Messages is rolling out a powerful new feature that transforms how users share their whereabouts: real-time location sharing powered by Find Hub. This upgrade marks a major leap from the previous one-time location sharing, offering users dynamic, continuous location updates directly within their messaging threads.

The new feature replaces the simple “Location” option in the Attachments menu with a dedicated “Real-time location” choice, accompanied by a fresh icon. For those who still prefer the old method, Google has retained the one-time location sharing option, now labeled “One-time Location,” which continues to use Google Maps links.

Once a user selects “Real-time location,” they can choose from several sharing durations:

• For 1 hour: Location sharing lasts for exactly one hour from the start.
• Today only: Sharing continues until the end of the current day.
• Until you turn this off: Indefinite sharing until manually stopped.
• Custom duration: Users can set a specific period, up to a maximum of 24 hours.

A location card appears in the chat, making it easy for both parties to manage sharing. The sender can stop sharing at any time by tapping the card, while the recipient can quickly share their own location in response. All sharing activities can also be managed through Google Maps and Find Hub for added convenience.

This feature is already appearing for some beta users, and Google has published a new support article detailing its use. The company is expected to roll it out more broadly in the near future.

It’s important to note that while end-to-end encrypted messages remain private to chat participants, real-time location sharing is processed through Google Maps and Find Hub, and is governed by Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

More on Google Messages:

• Google Messages gets real-time location sharing with Find Hub integration
• How to use the new real-time location sharing in Google Messages
• Google Messages beta users spot real-time location sharing feature
• Google Maps and Find Hub now power location sharing in Messages

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