How to Share Location on WhatsApp: Android & iPhone Guide

Need to meet someone but don’t want to spell out a messy address? Sharing your location on WhatsApp sidesteps all that back-and-forth — just a tap and your contact sees exactly where you are. This guide walks through the steps for Android and iPhone, highlights the difference between a static pin and live tracking, and covers the privacy controls that let you stop sharing whenever you want.

Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Web · Live Location Durations: 15 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours · Sharing Types: Current location, Live location · Privacy Control: Time-limited sharing

How do I share my current location on WhatsApp?

Your current location is a one-time static pin — it shows where you are right now, but doesn’t update if you move. According to the WhatsApp Help Center (official documentation), this is fundamentally different from live location, which refreshes as you change position.

Steps for current location pin

• Open the WhatsApp chat with the person or group.
• Tap the paperclip icon (Android) or the plus icon (iPhone) next to the text field.
• Select Location from the attachment menu.
• Choose Send your current location.
• Tap the send button to share the pin.

The pin shows your precise location at the moment you sent it — useful for meetups where you’re already parked or waiting somewhere. Once sent, it stays fixed; it won’t track the recipient’s view.

Permissions required

WhatsApp needs location access to work. The YouTube tutorials recommend setting permission to “Allow while using the app” — this keeps location active only when WhatsApp is open, not running in the background. You can revoke it anytime via your phone’s Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Location.

How do you share location on iPhone WhatsApp?

iPhone users tap the plus icon rather than a paperclip — the UI convention Apple uses across iOS. The core steps align with the WhatsApp Help Center official guidance, so Android and iPhone share the same workflow after you tap that icon.

iPhone-specific steps

• Tap the + icon (not a paperclip) next to the message box.
• Tap Location in the row of attachment options.
• Choose between “Send your current location” (static pin) or “Share Live Location” (real-time tracking).
• For live location: select a duration (15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours), then tap the send button.

Live location on iOS

Live location on iPhone refreshes in real-time as you move, per ABP Live. The recipient sees your position updating on their map without needing you to resend anything. You can also add a comment or emoji before sharing, which the WhatsApp Help Center notes as an optional personalization step.

How to share location on WhatsApp Android?

Android uses a paperclip icon to trigger attachments — a different visual trigger than iPhone’s plus icon, but the underlying WhatsApp interface behaves identically. The ABP Live guide confirms the steps mirror iPhone once you access the location menu.

Android paperclip method

• Tap the paperclip icon in the chat’s bottom toolbar.
• Select Location.
• Opt for “Send your current location” (static) or “Share Live Location” (real-time).
• Pick your duration if choosing live location, then send.

Share from Google Maps

If you prefer Google Maps’ accuracy or want to share a specific spot you’ve already saved, open Google Maps, find the location, tap Share, and choose WhatsApp. This sends a static pin — not a live track — but lets you share restaurants, landmarks, or addresses without opening WhatsApp first.

How do I send a location pin on WhatsApp?

Understanding the difference between a static pin and live location determines which option you need. WhatsApp Help Center official documentation draws a clear line: current location is a single image, not a continuous feed.

Static pin vs live

• Current location: A snapshot of where you are right now. Recipients see your position at the moment of sending. No updates unless you resend.
• Live location: A real-time feed that updates as you move. Recipients track you for the chosen duration (15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours).

Duration settings

When you select live location, WhatsApp prompts you to choose how long the tracking runs. Per the WhatsApp Help Center, you can pick 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours — after which sharing stops automatically. You can also end it early manually.

How to share location on WhatsApp from Google Maps?

Sometimes WhatsApp’s built-in map doesn’t pin the right spot — maybe the venue is inside a building or the GPS is slightly off. You can send a Google Maps location instead, which often has more accurate positioning and lets you share a named place.

Integration steps

• Open Google Maps and search for or navigate to the location you want to share.
• Tap the location’s listing or drop a pin on the exact spot.
• Tap Share.
• Choose WhatsApp from the share menu.
• Select the contact or group.
• Send — the recipient gets a static pin with the Google Maps name and address.

Real-time sharing

The Google Maps method sends a static pin, not a live track. If you need real-time tracking, use WhatsApp’s native live location feature instead. Google Maps sharing is purely for sending a fixed position — think of it as a more detailed address card.

The two live location options — 15 minutes or up to 8 hours — give you a wide range of control. A 15-minute window is enough for someone to walk over if they’re nearby; an 8-hour window covers a full day of shared journey if you’re traveling with others. What matters is matching the duration to the actual need rather than defaulting to the longest option available.