How do I send a one-time location pin on WhatsApp?
- Open the individual or group chat.
- Tap the attachment icon (the paperclip, near the message box).
- Tap Location.
- Tap a spot on the map — either your current position or a different point you choose — and tap Send.
This sends a single static pin. It shows exactly where that point was at the moment you sent it and does not update afterward, no matter where you go next.
How do I share Live Location (real-time, moving) on WhatsApp?
- Open the chat, tap the attachment icon, then tap Location.
- Tap Share Live Location.
- Choose how long to share it for — the available windows are short, medium, or longer options such as 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours.
- Optionally add a comment, then send.
Once sent, the people in that chat see your position update on a live map for as long as the sharing window lasts. Your live location will automatically stop being shared once that time is up.
How do I stop sharing my Live Location before it expires?
Open the chat where you're sharing Live Location and tap Stop Sharing, then confirm Stop. This works at any point during the sharing window — you don't need to wait for the timer to run out. Once stopped or expired, the chat keeps a static thumbnail of your last shared position, not a live feed.
Who can actually see my location?
Only the people already in that specific chat or group can see the location you send, whether it's a one-time pin or a Live Location. Live Location is end-to-end encrypted, meaning WhatsApp itself cannot see it either. Sharing it doesn't broadcast it anywhere outside that chat, and it isn't visible on your profile.
What if WhatsApp won't let me share my location?
If the Location option is greyed out or nothing happens when you try to send it, the most common cause is that WhatsApp doesn't have permission to access your phone's location. On Android, this is under your phone's Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions > Location; on iPhone, it's Settings > WhatsApp > Location. Set it to allow location access while using the app (or always, if you want Live Location to keep updating while WhatsApp runs in the background), then try sending the location again.
If Live Location stops updating partway through the sharing window, check that your phone's own location services (GPS) are switched on and that you have a working internet connection — Live Location needs both to keep sending fresh position updates to the chat.
People also ask
What's the difference between Live Location and Current Location?
Current Location sends a single static pin that never updates again. Live Location shares your real-time, moving position continuously for a duration you choose, until it expires or you stop it.
Can I share Live Location in a WhatsApp group?
Yes. Live Location works in both individual chats and groups. In a group, every participant can see your live position for as long as you keep sharing it.
Who can see my Live Location on WhatsApp?
Only the people in the chat or group you shared it with. Live Location is end-to-end encrypted, so no one outside that chat, including WhatsApp itself, can view it.