Learn more about Google Play services for location sharing
Google Play services enables services that make your device more secure and reliable. Location sharing is one such service that is provided as part of Google Play services. Google Play services is different from the Google Play Store. Learn more about services enabled through Google Play services.
You can share your real-time location from your device with location sharing through Google Play services. For example, you can check-in on your family member to learn their ETA to get home. Learn about sharing your real-time location with others.
- Location sharing works across Google apps and services, such as Google Maps and Family Link.
- People you share your location with can see your name, photo, and device’s recent locations, even when you’re not using a Google service. Learn to manage your device's location settings.
Important: Some location sharing functionality works only on Android 8.1 and up. Learn how to check and update your Android version.
Control your preferences
To manage your location sharing preferences:
- Go to Settings 👁 Image
. - In the search window, type
location services. - Tap Location services 👁 and then
Google Location Sharing. - To manage your location sharing, tap Google Location Sharing.
Tips:
- If you don't find the location icon when you swipe down from the home menu, tap Settings 👁 Image
👁 and then
search the location. - To stop sharing your location with someone, open your Location Sharing settings and next to their name tap Stop.
- To stop all location sharing, go to Settings 👁 Image
and turn off Location.
How Google Play services for location sharing handles your data
Google Play Services for location sharing may collect certain information and use certain permissions to support location sharing related functionality on your device, such as the examples described above.
To better support location sharing on your device, Google Play services may use these device permissions:
- Location: Your latitudinal and longitudinal information may be collected to perform core services on your device, such as access to emergency services. Learn how Google Play services can use your location.
- Activity information: Your activity may be accessed to enable fitness related services, like step counts, or physical activity information to other apps. Learn how Google Play services can use your physical activity information.
Google Play services for location sharing may collect and store the following data to support location sharing related functionality.
- Your Google account identifiers, location lat-long information may be collected to let you use the location sharing services on your device.
- People you share your location with can see your name, photo and real-time location across Google services, even when you're not using Google Maps.
Any information that Google collects is handled in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy.