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X marks the spot: Google Maps for iOS adds location sharing for Facebook and Messenger

By Robert Nazarian Published July 8, 2015

google maps speed limits food ordering iphone ios shutterstock 215587159 — Tsyhun / Shutterstock.com

Today’s update to Google Maps for iOS will make sharing via Facebook and Messenger a lot easier. As part of the 4.8.0 update, you can now share a pin of your current location to friends on Facebook or to anyone you’re chatting with via the Facebook Messenger app.

To share your location, simply select a place nearby, tap on its name, and then touch the three dots at the top of the app screen. The Share option will pop up at the bottom of the screen, and then you’ll see the option to send your location to Facebook or Messenger. From there, you can decide with whom you want to share your location.

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With 1.4 billion and 700 million active users on both Facebook and Messenger respectively, many are wondering why Google didn’t offer this feature to iOS users sooner.

Google has been the leader for mapping and navigation on mobile devices for years, but the company appears to be playing a little catch up on this feature. Facebook already announced a new location sharing feature for Messenger last month. Even Apple’s Maps app already has the ability to share locations to both Facebook and Messenger.

Privacy is always a concern, so it’s important to note that sharing your location via Google Maps happens only when you initiate it. You do not have to worry about other Facebook users constantly knowing your whereabouts unless you specifically share your location with them. You can share your location with a group of friends or with just one person.

In addition to this new sharing feature, the update also includes redesigned and improved Transit directions, which offers more route choices and real-time arrival information. Google also introduced an Image Gallery for quick visual understanding of a place through a grid view. The update is available now, and if for some reason you haven’t already got the app, you can download Google Maps for iOS in the App Store here.

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Robert Nazarian

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Robert Nazarian became a technology enthusiast when his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color. Now his biggest…

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