Google-maps – Show/Share own Google Maps Timeline to others

google maps

My smartphone logs all my visited places via GPS and Google Maps Timeline. This way I can review where I've been.

https://www.google.com/maps/timeline

Is there any way to grant access (or share) my timeline to other persons so they always know where I'm currently at?

I noticed a small lock icon on my timeline website saying 'Visible only to you' but I cannot change this setting. Any ideas?

enter image description here

Best Answer

Google+ lets you share your location to specific people or Circles.

Google Support: Share your location

You can control whether this happens through your Google+ Settings under "Location Sharing".

Unfortunately, you'll need your Android device to add and remove people from being able to see your location. (You can remove people/Circles from sharing on the web in your settings, just not add.)

From Google Support:

To set up Location Sharing, complete these steps on your Android device.

  1. Turn on Location History if you haven't already. This setting provides Location Sharing with recent location information so you can share it with others.
  2. Download the Google+ app from the Play Store if you haven't already.
  3. Open the Google+ app Google+ icon.
  4. On the top left, touch the menu icon Menu. A panel will appear on the left.
  5. Choose Settings.
  6. Select the account you'd like to update.
  7. Touch Location sharing. Under "Location Sharing," turn on the switch. The label "On" will appear.
  8. Share your real-time location with people and circles. (If you don't add anyone, your location won't be shared.)
    • To share your exact location: Under "Pinpoint Location," touch Choose people to share with. On the list that pops up, select the people and circles you'd like to share with. Touch Done at the bottom.
    • To share your city-level location: Under "City Location," touch Choose people to share with. On the list that pops up, select the people and circles you'd like to share with. Touch Done at the bottom.

It seems that to see your location, someone would need to be using Google+ on their smartphone or the "classic" G+. I don't see location in the new G+ (currently in preview). On the web, that's visible at your profile. With the Android app, "Locations" is one of the options in the main menu where you can see all of the locations shared with you.

A further note: Google removed location sharing from the iOS version of their apps.

Related Topic