How to Share Location Indefinitely on iPhone to Android (Google Maps & More!)

Ever been in that awkward “Where are you?!” text exchange with a friend who’s always running late? Or maybe you’re a parent wanting to keep an eye on your kids, or an adult child making sure an elderly relative is safe. The need to share location is real, and it often goes beyond a quick “I’m five minutes away!” ping.

The good news? Bridging the gap between iPhones and Androids for long-term location sharing isn’t as complicated as it might seem, even if you’re looking for solutions like “How to share location indefinitely on iPhone to Android Reddit” or “How to share location indefinitely on iPhone to Android free.” Forget the myths about Apple’s walled garden; there are some seriously effective, and often free, ways to stay connected. Let’s dive in!

Why Would You Want to Share Your Location Indefinitely?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s quickly cover the “why.” While it sounds a bit intense to share location indefinitely, it’s actually incredibly useful for many everyday scenarios:

• Safety & Peace of Mind: Knowing loved ones arrived safely, or being able to locate someone in an emergency. This is huge for parents who want to know how to share location on iPhone with family or vice versa.
• Coordination & Meetups: No more guessing where friends are at a concert or a crowded event.
• Travel & Road Trips: Letting family know your progress on a long drive.
• Caregiving: Keeping tabs on elderly relatives or individuals who might need assistance.
• Finding Lost Devices: If your phone goes missing, continuous location sharing can be a lifesaver.

So, whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android, mastering how to share location is a practical skill.

The MVP for Cross-Platform Location Sharing: Google Maps

Let’s cut straight to the chase: if you want reliable, cross-platform, long-term location sharing between an iPhone and an Android device, Google Maps is your best friend. It’s free, widely used, and incredibly robust. You won’t need a separate “App to share location between iPhone and Android” when you have this powerhouse.

How to Share Location on iPhone (to Android via Google Maps)

1. Open Google Maps: Make sure you have the Google Maps app installed and you’re signed into your Google account.
2. Tap Your Profile Picture: You’ll find this in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Location Sharing”: This will take you to the sharing options.
4. Tap “Share Location”: You’ll see options for how long you want to share your location.
5. Choose Your Duration: This is where the “indefinitely” part comes in!
   • You can select a set number of hours (e.g., “For 1 hour,” “For 3 hours”).
   • Crucially, you’ll also see an option for “Until you turn this off.” This is the key to sharing your location indefinitely!
6. Select Your Contact: You can choose from your contacts, or if the person isn’t in your contacts, tap “More” or “Select people” and then “Copy to clipboard” to get a shareable link.
7. Send the Link: Send this link via text message, email, or any messaging app. When the recipient opens it, they’ll see your location in their Google Maps app.

Once they accept, your iPhone’s location will be visible to them on their Android device (or iPhone, for that matter) within Google Maps. Easy, right?

How to Share Location on Android (to iPhone via Google Maps)

The process for how to share location on Android to an iPhone is almost identical:

1. Open Google Maps: Again, ensure you’re signed in.
2. Tap Your Profile Picture: Top right corner.
3. Select “Location Sharing.”
4. Tap “New Share” or “Share Location.”
5. Choose Your Duration: Select “Until you turn this off” for indefinite sharing.
6. Select Your Contact or Get a Link: Pick the iPhone user from your contacts, or copy the link to share.
7. Send the Link: Once they open it, they’ll see your Android’s location on their iPhone within Google Maps.

This method addresses the common query of “Share location Android to iPhone free” directly and effectively.

Other Options for Cross-Platform Location Sharing

While Google Maps share location is the top contender, there are other apps and built-in features to consider, especially if you’re looking for the “Best app for location sharing between iPhone and Android” or alternative methods.

1. WhatsApp (Temporary Sharing)

If you’re wondering “How to share location on WhatsApp,” it’s super straightforward for temporary needs. However, it’s not ideal for “indefinite” sharing, as the maximum duration is typically 8 hours.

How to do it:

1. Open a chat with the person you want to share with.
2. Tap the paperclip icon (Android) or “+” icon (iPhone) next to the message input field.
3. Select “Location.”
4. Choose “Share Live Location.”
5. Select the duration (15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours).

It’s great for short meetups but won’t satisfy the “indefinitely” requirement.

2. Dedicated Family Tracking Apps

There are several apps specifically designed for family tracking that work across both platforms. Many offer more advanced features than just simple location sharing, such as geofencing (alerts when someone enters or leaves a specific area), driving reports, and emergency alerts.

Some popular options include:

• Life360: This is a very popular “App to share location between iPhone and Android.” It creates “Circles” for groups of people (family, friends), allowing constant location sharing, place alerts, and even crash detection. It has a free tier with basic features and paid tiers for more advanced options. Many users on “How to share location indefinitely on iPhone to Android Reddit” threads recommend this.
• Find My Friends / Family Link (with caveats):
  • Apple’s Find My: This is excellent for how to share location on iPhone with family if everyone has an iPhone. It’s Apple’s native solution for finding devices and people. However, it doesn’t natively share location with Android devices. You cannot directly share your Find My location with an Android user.
  • Google’s Family Link: This is primarily for parental controls on Android devices but also has location tracking features. It can be used to locate a child’s Android device from an iPhone (via the Family Link app on the iPhone). It’s more about child supervision than general peer-to-peer sharing.

While these dedicated apps offer more features, they also require everyone to download and set up a new app, which can sometimes be a hurdle compared to just using Google Maps.

Important Considerations for Indefinite Location Sharing

Sharing your location indefinitely, while convenient, comes with some important points to keep in mind:

1. Battery Drain

Constant location tracking uses GPS, which consumes battery power. If you’re sharing indefinitely, be prepared for potentially faster battery drain on the device doing the sharing. This is a common concern on Reddit threads about location sharing.

2. Privacy Concerns

This is a big one. Sharing your location indefinitely means someone always knows where you are. Ensure you trust the person you’re sharing with implicitly.

• Only share with trusted individuals.
• Review who you’re sharing with regularly. Both Google Maps and apps like Life360 make it easy to see who has access to your location and to stop sharing at any time.
• Be aware of the implications. While convenient, it does reduce your personal privacy.

3. Data Usage

While not as significant as battery drain, continuous sharing does use a small amount of mobile data. Most modern data plans can handle this without issue, but it’s worth noting if you have a very limited plan.

4. Location Accuracy

Location accuracy depends on various factors: GPS signal strength, Wi-Fi availability, and cellular network coverage. In dense urban areas or indoors, accuracy might vary.

Troubleshooting Common Location Sharing Issues

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

• Location Not Updating:
  • Check internet connection: Both devices need an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data).
  • GPS enabled: Ensure GPS or location services are turned on for the device sharing its location.
  • App permissions: Make sure Google Maps (or your chosen app) has permission to access location services “Always” or “All the time” (not just “While using the app”). This is crucial for indefinite sharing.
  • Battery optimization: On Android, some battery optimization settings can restrict background app activity, including location sharing. Check your phone’s settings to ensure Google Maps is exempt from battery optimization.
  • Restart the app/phone: Sometimes a simple restart can fix glitches.
• Recipient Can’t See Location:
  • Did they click the link?
  • Are they signed into their Google Maps account?
  • Do they have the Google Maps app installed?
• “How to share location on Android” settings issues: Android devices can have very specific location settings under “Settings > Location.” Ensure “Google Location Accuracy” is on and that the app has the correct permissions.

Conclusion: Stay Connected, Stay Safe

The ability to share location indefinitely on iPhone to Android (and vice versa) has truly transformed how we connect and ensure safety. While dedicated apps exist, Google Maps stands out as the most accessible, reliable, and free solution for long-term, cross-platform tracking.

Remember the key: choose “Until you turn this off” within Google Maps‘ location sharing settings. Always prioritize privacy and ensure you’re only sharing with people you trust. With these tools and tips, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing where your loved ones are, without being tied to a single operating system.

So go ahead, bridge that platform gap and stay safely connected!