How to Fix Google Maps Not Updating Location Sharing
Google Maps location not sharing? Here’s what to try if you’re having issues with Google Maps not updating location sharing.
Do you ever wonder how we managed to find our way anywhere before Google Maps? The popular navigation app ensures that, as long as you have your phone with you (and a network connection), you’ll always be able to find where you’re going.
Google Maps has other useful features too, such as location sharing. Most of the time, sharing your location with other contacts works seamlessly, but sometimes things can go wrong, and your location in Google Maps may not match your actual location in real life.
Here’s how to fix Google Maps not updating location sharing on your device.
What is Google Maps Location Sharing?
Google Maps location sharing allows you to let other people see your real-time location on their own devices. It’s a really useful tool if you’re trying to meet up with a friend or want to check someone gets home safe.
You can opt to share your location for a fixed period or leave it on indefinitely. Your location will only be shared with the contacts that you select.
How to Share Your Location on Google Maps
You can share your location directly from the Google Maps app with just a few taps. The method is similar on both Android and iPhone.
To share your location on Google Maps:
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap the Profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select Location Sharing.
- Tap Share Location.
- Select a duration.
- Choose contacts to share your location with and tap Share.
- To stop sharing your location, tap your Profile icon and select Location Sharing.
- Tap Stop.
Check Your Network Connection
One of the most likely causes of Google Maps not updating location sharing is that your phone doesn’t have a network connection. If this is the case, Google Maps won’t be able to share your location until you reconnect.
You can test your network connection quickly by doing a quick web search. If you’re not able to bring up any search results, then you don’t have a network connection. You’ll need to try connecting to Wi-Fi or moving to a location with a stronger mobile signal.
If you do have a network connection, there are a few things you can try if Google Maps isn’t working on mobile data.
Check Your Device Location Settings
Smartphones allow you to choose your location settings on an app-by-app basis. For example, you might not want Facebook to know your location, but Google Maps requires that access if you want to share your location. Check your Google Maps location settings to ensure that the app has the necessary permissions.
How to Check Location Settings on iPhone
If you’re using Google Maps on an iPhone, here’s how you can change location permissions in the Privacy settings.
To change location settings on iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
- Select Location Services.
- Scroll down and tap Google Maps.
- Select While Using the App or Always.
How to Check Location Settings on Android
On Android, you can change location permissions in the Settings menu.
To change location settings on Android:
- Open Settings.
- Select Location.
- Ensure Use Location is on and tap App Location Permissions.
- Select Maps.
- Tap Allow All The Time or Allow Only While Using the App.
Make Sure Google Maps Can Work in the Background
Enabling apps to allow background activity ensures that they keep working even when they’re in the background. You can enable this feature on an app level on both iPhone and Android.
How to Enable Background App Refresh on iPhone
On iPhone, this feature is called background app refresh.
To enable background app refresh on iPhone:
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap Background App Refresh.
- Scroll down and ensure that the toggle for Google Maps is on.
How to Enable Background Data on Android
On Android, you’ll need to ensure that background data is turned on for Google Maps.
To turn on background data for Google Maps on Android:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Select All Apps.
- Scroll down and tap Maps.
- Tap Mobile Data & Wi-Fi.
- Ensure Background Data is on.
Clear the Google Maps Cache
Google Maps stores some information on your device to speed up the app and reduce the amount of data you need to access over the internet. If you’re having issues with Google Maps, clearing this cache may solve the problem.
How to Clear Google Maps Cache on iPhone
On iPhone, you can clear the cache through the Google Maps app itself.
To clear the Google Maps cache on iPhone:
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your Profile icon at the right end of the search bar.
- Select Settings.
- Scroll to the very bottom of the page and tap the About, Terms and Privacy option.
- Tap Clear Application Data.
- Confirm your decision.
How to Clear Google Maps Cache on Android
You can clear the cache for Android apps through Settings.
To clear the Google Maps cache on Android:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Select All Apps.
- Scroll down and select Maps.
- Select Storage & Cache.
- Tap Clear Cache.
Update Google Maps
If you’re having problems with Google Maps, it may be that you’re running an outdated version of the app. Updating Google Maps may fix your issue.
To update Google Maps:
- Open the App Store or Play Store.
- Search for Google Maps.
- If the button reads Update tap it to update the app.
- If the button doesn’t read Update your app is up-to-date.
Reinstall Google Maps
If all else fails, you can try removing Google Maps from your phone, and then installing it again. Using a clean install of the Google Maps app may fix any issues you’re having with Google Maps not updating location sharing. You should note that on Android, you can’t uninstall Google Maps as it is a pre-installed app. On iPhone, however, you can delete the app with a couple of taps. Once you’ve deleted Google Maps, search for it again in the Apple App Store and re-install it.
How to Delete an App on iPhone
You can delete an app on your iPhone directly by tapping the app icon.
To delete an app on iPhone:
- Tap and hold the Google Maps icon.
- Select Remove App.
- Tap Delete App.
- Confirm your decision.
Using Google Maps
Learning how to fix Google Maps not updating location sharing ensures that your contacts can easily find you or keep track of your location to make sure you get where you’re going safely. Hopefully one of the tricks above will have solved your problems. If you find any other useful tips, please let us know in the comments below.
When using Google Maps, there are some useful tips you can improve your experience. If you love hiking, you can learn how to plan your next hike with Google Maps. If you’re a fan of the metric system, you can learn how to switch labels from miles to kilometers in Google Maps. And if you just don’t get on with Google Maps, there are plenty of Google Maps alternatives that you can try.
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