Google Maps Updated To Enable Sharing Of User Location With Links

The Android version of Google Maps has a new update, and it is one that brings a new way of sharing location info among users. The update is slowly rolling out, however, so some users could be receiving it in the coming days.

On Tuesday, Google started rolling out the new version of its Google Maps app for Android devices. Aside from the usual under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes, the update comes with a more streamlined method of sharing location details. Apparently, the contact-sharing feature has been expanded to include a new tool that allows users to share their location with their contacts using links.

The Sharing via link feature also has the same controls as contact sharing. Once activated, users will see a notification at the bottom of the Google Maps home screen that says, “People with this link can see your location.” In creating location links, users are asked to set the time for when their selected contacts could view their location details. Once done assigning the time limit for the link, users are then asked to pick the app where they’ll be sharing their location info.

From the looks of it, users can share the location link via Hangouts, Slack and many other apps. They can even email the link or send it as a text message via the Messages app. Interestingly, the links could also be shared on Twitter, which is good if users want to inform their followers of their whereabouts.

According to Android Police, the Google Maps links can be managed like connections to contacts. Hence, users are at liberty to deactivate them at any time they wish to and keep track of their current status in the app. Each URL link is made to be different just like the ones found in the photo-sharing feature of Google Photos.

Android users who want to try out or use the new Sharing via link feature should first check if the new update for the Google Maps app is already available in their region. Google is slowly but surely rolling out this update, so don’t fret when it’s still not showing up on the Google Play Store.