How to share location between iPhone and Android [Tested Tools]

To share location data between Android and iPhone, use tools that run on different operating systems, from Google Maps to specialized apps.

The truth is, when you and the other person have phones with different operating systems, you can’t use the in-built tools for location sharing like Find My on iOS. But that doesn’t mean there is no way to share location between you. There are free and proven paid tools with this function, and we will review them in this article.

“With the right tracking app and settings, knowledge of where you are could give your loved ones peace of mind or even help in an emergency case. For that, an extra tip is waiting for you at the end of the article.”

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Google Maps Location Sharing

What you need to share location: Google Maps app installed.

Steps to share your location on Google Maps:

1. Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
2. Tap the blue dot that represents your current location.
3. Tap “Share location.”
4. Select how long you want to share your location. You can choose to stop sharing at any time.
5. Decide how you want to share your location. You can share it with specific people by entering their email addresses or selecting any other mode of sharing like SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or any other app installed on your phone.
6. Tap “Share”.

Your location will be shared with the people you have chosen for the duration you specified. To stop sharing your location, simply go back to the location-sharing menu and tap “Stop sharing”.

Note: If you want to share your location with someone who doesn’t have a Google account or uses Apple Maps instead of Google Maps, you can follow these steps to generate a link that you can send to them: First, open the app contacts and look for the “More” icon.

Then, click on the “Copy to clipboard” option and press the bar next to your profile picture. This will generate a link that you can copy from your screen. You can then paste this link anywhere and send it to the person via email, message, or any other application.

Use Social Media Messengers

Many social media messaging apps allow you to share your location with your friends and family. This feature can be useful if you want to meet with someone or if you want someone to know where you are.

Some common social media messaging apps that offer this feature are Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Telegram. They all allow you to share your location by either adding a pin to a map manually or by using your phone’s GPS to detect your location.

So if you are also wondering, how can iPhone share location with Android or can Android share location with iPhone, these social media messengers are also a great option to use.

However, these apps also have a few differences that you may encounter when sharing your location through social media messaging apps. Some of these differences include:

• method of sharing: by sending a specific location from a map or by sharing your live location for a set amount of time;
• map view within the app can vary from one app to another;
• privacy settings: various apps may offer different options for controlling who can see your location and for how long.

To share your location on WhatsApp, you will need to have the app installed on your phone and follow these steps:

1. Open WhatsApp and start a conversation with the person or group you want to share your location with.
2. Tap on the addition (+) sign at the bottom of the chat. This will open a menu of options.
3. Tap on the “Location” option.
4. You will be given a choice to either “Send your current location” or “Select a location on a map”. If you choose to send your current location, WhatsApp will use your phone’s GPS to determine your location. If you choose to select a location on a map, you can pan and zoom to choose a specific location.
5. Once you have selected your location, tap on the “Send” button.

Your location will be shared through a map view within the app, and the person or people you are messaging will be able to see your location.

Note: Keep in mind that you will need to have your phone’s location services turned on in order to share your location on WhatsApp.

Phone Number Trackers

These services use SMS to track Android from iPhone and vice versa. Usually, you need to subscribe and buy a trial or plan. Still, it’s a good option to those who want to stay anonymous as SMS is sent to the target from a third party.

Scannero, Detectico, and GeoFinder are examples of such services.

Parental Control Apps

If you are a parent and use a different OS with your kid, it’s good to use a universal app to see their location. To achieve this, you need to download an app to your child’s device. Meanwhile, you can view their location from the online dashboard.

Bonus: Emergency Location Sharing

iPhone and Android phones suggest one more extra option.

How to use emergency location sharing on an iPhone

Follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
2. Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.
3. If you continue to hold down the side button and volume button, your iPhone will automatically call emergency services and share your location with them.

When you make an Emergency SOS call, your iPhone sends a text message to your emergency contacts with your current location and a message saying that you made an emergency call. Your emergency contacts will also receive updates on your location as it changes.

How to Use Emergency Location Sharing on Android

Follow these steps:

1. On your Android device, long press the power button or press it five times.
2. The Emergency SOS slider will appear.
3. Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.
4. It will automatically share your location with emergency contacts.

Note: For most of the Android phone, before using the emergency location sharing, make sure it is turned on by going to Setting > Safety & emergency > Turn on Location services.

Conclusion

To sum it up, if you’re looking for a reliable and secure service for tracking or location sharing between iPhone and Android, there are many options available. Google Maps and social media apps let you do that easily.
For parents, there are dedicated phone trackers. Meanwhile, don’t forget about emergency location sharing.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding.