WhatsApp Rolls Out Live Location Feature; Now Track Your Friends in Real Time

WhatsApp has finally rolled out the ‘Live Location’ feature to its 1.3 billion users across the world.

The new feature will allow users to share their movements if they're trying to find their friends or let them know they're safe.

The feature, which WhatsApp said is encrypted, asks users to set a time limit on how long their location is shared for and lets them stop doing so at any time.

"Whether you're meeting up with friends, letting loved ones know you're safe, or sharing your commute, live location is a simple and secure way to let people know where you are," said WhatsApp.

Despite the safeguards the app has put in place, it could lead to some concerns that people could be encouraged to share where they are. The update follows a row over Snapchat's Map, which reveals users locations. Unlike the Snapchat feature, WhatsApp users can only share their position temporarily and with certain contacts.

WhatsApp started testing the new feature in its beta version in January and says it will make the feature available in the coming weeks.

The Facebook-owned messaging service is also trialling the ability to recall and edit sent messages that haven't been read. There has been no further indication as to if or when the editing feature, which could ease the minds of people who panic after mistakenly sending texts, will be added to the app.

How it works

Open a chat with whom you want to share the location. Under ‘Location’ tab in the attach button, there’s a new option to ‘Share Live Location.’ Tapping on the ‘Share Live Location,’ button, you will be asked to choose how long you want to share the location in real time- it will be of 15 minutes, 1 hour, or eight hours. WhatsApp has set 1 hour period as a default share option.

So, after sharing the location in real time, each person in the chat will be able to see your location on a map. And it more than one person shares their Live Location in the group, all locations shared by every person will be visible on the same map.

WhatsApp revealed that the feature it is in the process of rolling out to both Andriod and iPhone users. And the users will receive the feature in the coming weeks.

Having said that, WhatsApp is not the first instant messaging service to roll out the Live Location feature. Telegram and Facebook’s own Messenger application has this feature for quite some time now.

Telegram lets you share your real-time location with others for either 15 minutes or for one hour or for eight hours, and on the other hand, Facebook Messenger allows you to share the location in real-time for just one hour.

Alternatively, Google Maps also rolled out the Live Location feature earlier this year, and it’s way ahead of the competition because you can share your location permanently with others. Apple’s iMessage also offers Live Location feature, although for just one hour.