Real-Time Tracking Inside Conversations
Live location sharing allows users to broadcast their real-time whereabouts so others can follow their movement on a map. Instead of sending a single, static pin, the feature continuously updates as a person moves, making it useful for meeting up or staying connected in unfamiliar areas.
Currently, Android users can access this capability through Google’s Find Hub. However, recent findings suggest that the feature could soon be integrated directly into Google Messages.
Beta Code Points to Upcoming Integration
According to a report from 9to5Google, code discovered in the latest beta version of Google Messages indicates that Google is working on embedding live location tracking into the messaging app itself. While the feature has not yet been officially announced, the code references suggest development is underway.
If implemented, users would be able to share their location within an active conversation, eliminating the need to switch between apps. This would align Google Messages more closely with competitors such as WhatsApp, which already offers live location sharing.
How the Feature Works
In Find Hub, users appear on a map with an avatar that updates in real time. Participants can share their locations simultaneously, allowing each person to see where others are at any given moment. This makes coordinating meetups in crowded cities or large venues significantly easier.
Users can choose how long to share their location, setting time limits that automatically disable tracking after a selected duration. The option to stop sharing at any time provides additional privacy control.
Convenience and Safety Applications
Live location sharing can serve practical and safety-related purposes. Friends can track each other while traveling, families can monitor arrivals and departures, and individuals can allow trusted contacts to follow their route if they feel uneasy in certain areas.
Bringing the feature directly into Google Messages would streamline communication by centralizing messaging and real-time tracking in a single platform. As messaging apps increasingly compete on convenience and integrated tools, adding live location sharing appears to be a logical next step for Google.
