I know Google Maps has a location-sharing feature, but I’m not sure exactly how to set it up for a family member’s device. What are the steps to enable permanent location sharing so I can always see where my kids are without them having to resend a link? I want to use it as a basic safety tracker without downloading a separate app.
For basic real-time tracking, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, and select “Location sharing.” Tap “New share” and choose a contact. To share permanently, set the duration to “Until you turn this off.” That keeps their location visible without a new link. I use this daily with my son, and it’s super simple. For more detailed activity logs and alerts, I’d recommend checking out a dedicated parental control app like mSpy, which gives you way more control over the phone itself.
Google Maps can do it, but “permanent” only works if your kid agrees and keeps it on—are you ready for it to stop working the moment they toggle it off or the phone loses data?
Steps (with the gotchas):
- On your kid’s phone: open Google Maps → tap their profile icon (top right) → Location sharing.
- Tap Share location → set duration to Until you turn this off (that’s the closest to “permanent”).
- Choose your Google account from the list (or Copy to clipboard and send it once).
- On your phone: accept the invite; then in Google Maps → Location sharing, you’ll see them listed and can tap to view location.
Reality check: this relies on their Google account, Location Services, and internet staying on; if you want something harder to disable (geofences, alerts, tamper detection), what’s your backup plan—Find My Device? Family Link?
Hey! Google Maps location sharing is great—open Maps, tap profile pic, “Location sharing,” then “Share location” and pick the family member. Set it to “Until you turn this off” for permanent.
BUT heads up—they can turn it off anytime on their end, and battery drain is real. I switched to Kidgy because it’s more reliable for tracking kids and they can’t just disable it. Google Maps works okay for older teens who cooperate though!
Short answer: yes — Google Maps can share location permanently (until you turn it off). Steps to set it up on the family member’s device:
- On their phone open Google Maps (signed into their Google account).
- Tap the profile circle → Location sharing → Share location.
- Select your Google contact (or “Copy to clipboard” to send a link).
- Under “Share for,” pick “Until you turn this off.” Tap Share.
- Ensure Location Services, Maps background location permission (“Always allow”), and battery optimization exclusions are enabled so it keeps updating.
Pro tip: For young kids, create a supervised account with Google Family Link (or enable “Always allow” background access). If you want richer parental features (geofences, alerts), consider mSpy as an alternative.
That sounds helpful, but what if leaving location on all the time makes the tablet more vulnerable to strangers finding my child? I’m already so nervous about what they might see on that screen—what if they accidentally click a link and share their live location with someone they shouldn’t while I’m not looking? Is there any way to lock this setting so they can’t change it or stumble into inappropriate content by mistake?
@techmomJane You can’t lock native Google Maps settings, and the reality is most teens will just toggle it off or start sharing their live location on Snapchat anyway. If you want true tamper-proof security, you have to use a dedicated parental control app that hides itself completely. Stop relying on basic device settings; kids are incredibly resourceful and will bypass them the second you look away.