Snap Map provides you with functionality to share your location with selected friends and family, so you can keep them informed about your whereabouts.
Types of Location Sharing
There are two location-sharing types in Snap Map:
- "Only while using": You can choose to share your "Only while using" location with your friends and family, which means Snap Map will display and update your location on Snap Map only while you are using Snapchat. If you close Snapchat, Snap Map will show the last location you were at while you were using Snapchat, but will not update your location unless and until you re-open Snapchat.
- Alternatively, you can also share your "Always" or background location with your trusted friends and family. This means Snap Map will allow the friends and family members you choose to see your real-time location on Snap Map. Snap Map will continue to show your selected friends and family members your real-time location even after you close the app, so you don’t have to be using Snapchat to update them. For example, if you’re traveling home or to a party, they can stay up to date with where you are without having to distract you.
How to Enable and Disable Location Sharing
Location sharing on Snap Map is turned off by default, so if you want to get started and share your location you will have to do so in Snap Map settings by tapping the ⚙️ button at the top of the map screen. Learn more.
Even if you enable location sharing, you can turn it off at any time using the settings in Snap Map or by visiting your device settings. Specifically:
- To stop sharing your location, turn on Ghost Mode in your Snap Map settings (tap the ⚙️ button at the top of the map screen).
- To stop sharing your background location, visit your device settings and choose to share location with Snapchat “Only while using.”
Think Before Sharing Your Location
Sharing information about your location may be sensitive, so we strongly recommend that you only share your location with trusted friends and family you know well, and only for as long as you need (for example, for the time necessary to let them know you have traveled safely to a destination). This is particularly important when sharing your background location.
Your device and/or Snapchat will remind you from time to time that you’re sharing your location, and you can always go to Snap Map’s Settings any time to check who you’re sharing your location with.
Other Privacy and Safety Tips
Before you enable location sharing please read our privacy and safety tips:
- Only share your location with friends and family you trust. This is especially important when sharing your background location. Don’t share with all your friends and family, unless you are sure this is what you want to do.
- Don’t share your location with friends and family you don’t know well or trust.
- Don’t share your background location for longer than you need to.
- Don’t dismiss any reminders you receive about location sharing before you have read them. Think about whether you’re still only sharing with the friends and family you know and trust, and check your Snap Map settings if you are not sure.
Want more information about Snap Map? Check out these resources: