For years, Google Maps has positioned itself as an elite alternative to Apple's Maps app, but the Cupertino company's recent efforts may make it harder for the search giant to gain dominance.
Easily share your current location in an iMessage conversation on iOS 17
Apple is bringing a bunch of changes to its Maps app with iOS 15, including an interactive 3D globe, new driving features, AR walking directions, a new city experience, and more. To stay ahead of the competition, Google is now rolling out a handy new feature that lets you share your real-time location while texting with someone via iMessage.
Google is now updating its Google Maps app on iPhones with the ability to share your real-time location with others you’re in a conversation with via iMessage (or the Messages app). This is useful if you’re stuck in a situation where you need to share your live location for work purposes, or to let your friends know how long it will take to get to their place, or when you want your loved ones to know where you are when you’re traveling in a region that’s new to you.
When you use this feature with Google Maps in iMessage, your live location will be shared with the other person for 1 hour by default. If you want to extend the duration of location sharing, you can choose between 1 hour and 3 days. At any time during the sharing duration, you can end it within the Messages conversation without having to turn off your Location Services altogether.
