How to Share Your Live Location on Google Maps in Nigeria and Stop It Safely

Illustration: Sharing a live location with a trusted contact in Lagos.

Google Maps lets you share your live location with a person you choose and set how long sharing lasts. This guide explains the Android and iPhone steps for people in Nigeria, what the other person can see, how to end sharing, and what to check if the feature is unavailable.

Location sharing is more than a one-time map pin. Google says a person you share with can see your name and profile photo, your device’s recent location even when Google apps are not open, and your battery level and whether the device is charging. If they set a location-sharing notification, they may also see when you arrive at or leave a place. What else appears can depend on how you share.

Choose someone you know and trust. Avoid posting a live-location link in a public group or sending it to an unfamiliar account. Google says a link can be viewed by anyone who has it for up to 24 hours. A direct share with a selected Google contact gives you a clearer recipient list. If someone requests your location unexpectedly, you can deny or block the request; Google says denying it does not share your location.

Use the Google Maps app on your personal Android phone or iPhone, and check that you are signed in to the intended Google Account. If you share with a Google account, add that person’s Gmail address to Google Contacts so it appears as a recipient. Your phone’s location setting must be available to Maps, and you should choose a duration that fits the journey.

The steps are the same for eligible personal Google Accounts in Nigeria. Google notes that Location Sharing may be unavailable in some countries or regions, on a managed Google Workspace account, or for accounts that do not meet age requirements. If Maps shows an availability warning, follow the account or administrator guidance rather than trying to bypass it. On accounts Google identifies as belonging to someone under 18, some sharing durations are limited to 24 hours.

Google’s Android instructions for sharing real-time location show these controls. Menu names can vary slightly with app versions, but you can return to the same Location sharing screen to see who currently has access.

On iPhone, open Google Maps and sign in. Tap your profile picture or initial, select Location sharing, then New share. Set the time limit, select the person and tap Share. If Maps asks for contact access, allow it only if you want to choose a recipient from your address book. Google also supports sharing a link with someone who does not have a Google Account; anyone who receives or is forwarded that link can see your location for up to 24 hours, so use this option carefully.

For the full iPhone flow and link-sharing details, see Google’s iPhone and iPad Location Sharing guide.

Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture or initial, and choose Location sharing. Tap the person’s profile, then tap Stop. Repeat for any other person you no longer want to see your location. If you shared by link, open the same Location sharing page and turn off that share. Check this screen after you arrive, especially if you selected an open-ended duration.

For a trip, you can also share your estimated time of arrival from active navigation. Google says trip progress sharing ends when you reach your destination or stop navigation, and you can stop it earlier from the navigation card. This is different from ongoing Location Sharing, so check which one you started.

Confirm that Maps is signed in to the right account and check whether the account is managed by a school or workplace. Google lists regional availability and age eligibility as possible reasons for a warning. A parent or guardian may manage settings for a supervised account. If none of those apply, use Google’s official Maps troubleshooting and feedback options and review the prompt shown in the app.

For a safer setup, share only with a trusted person, use a time limit, and check the recipient before tapping Share. Keep a direct call or message as a backup during a journey, and use your phone’s ordinary emergency options if you need urgent help.

Google allows a link share for someone without a Google Account. Anyone with that link can view your real-time location for up to 24 hours, so send it directly to the intended person and avoid public groups.

Yes. Open Google Maps, go to Location sharing, select the person and tap Stop. Check each share listed there if you sent your location to more than one person.

No. Google says recipients may also see your name and photo, your device’s recent location, battery level and charging status. Review the sharing details before you confirm.

Google limits some sharing for accounts it identifies as belonging to someone under 18. A managed account or regional availability may also affect whether Location Sharing is offered.