Google Maps for iOS now lets you share your ETA

No more lying about being "5 minutes away."
By Rachel Kraus  on 
Google Maps for iOS now lets you share your ETA
Real-time location sharing may be a blessing or a curse. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

For the chronically late among us, your days of lying about being "5 minutes away" are numbered.

Google released its "share your real-time location" feature for the Google Maps iOS app on Thursday. It lets you send ETAs to friends and family based on satellite data — not empty promises.

The setting lets users share their location with specific people for the duration of a trip. Just tap the ^ button once you've begun a trip, and a list of frequent contacts will pop up. Then you can invite them to view your location.

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If you're on the receiving end of an invitation, you can see where your en-route friend is in real time on a map of their journey.

Via Giphy

The feature has been available on Android since May 2017, but now iPhone users can try it. Google has also improved the option by letting users share their Maps location through other apps including Facebook Messenger, Line, and WhatsApp.

Now, if only you could convince your late friends to use it.

Topics Google iPhone

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Rachel Kraus

Rachel Kraus is a Mashable Tech Reporter specializing in health and wellness. She is an LA native, NYU j-school graduate, and writes cultural commentary across the internetz.


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