Share locations using Messages on Mac
You can share your current location in a conversation so that others know where you are. When someone shares their location with you, you can see it on a map in Messages. You can also ask someone to share their location with you.
You and the other person both need to be signed in to your Apple Accounts to share locations. You also need to have Location Services turned on for Messages. See Control access to the location of your Mac.
Share your location
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Select a conversation.
Click the contact or group icon at the top, then do one of the following:
Share your location for an ongoing period of time: Click Share My Location, then choose the amount of time to share it in the current conversation. For example, you could share your location until the end of the day, and that person can view your active location during that time period.
Send your location one time: Click Send My Current Location.
A map appears in the transcript showing your current location. If you change locations, the map doesn’t update.
Stop sharing your location
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Select a conversation.
Click the contact or group icon at the top, then click Stop Sharing My Location.
View someone’s location
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Select a conversation, then click the person’s icon at the top of the conversation.
When a person shared their location, a map appears. To enlarge the map, click it.
Ask for someone’s location
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Select a conversation.
Click the contact or group icon at the top, then click Request Location.
Optionally enter a message, then press Return.
A request is sent to the person, asking them to share their location.
View a Check In notification
A friend can send you a Check In from their iPhone to let you know about a journey they’re about to start, and when they expect to arrive at their destination. Check In monitors the progress their iPhone is making, and if it doesn’t arrive as expected, you can see details such as the location of the iPhone, battery percentage, cellular signal, and more, depending on the details your friend opted to share with you.
Note: Check In isn’t available in all countries or regions, and requires iOS 17 or later for both the sender and recipient; however, you can review the Check In details on macOS 14 or later.
See Use Check In on iPhone to let your friends know you’ve arrived in the iPhone User Guide.
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Select a conversation.
To view the Check In details, click the Details button.
At the beginning of the Check In: You see the timer details so you know when the journey or activity should be completed.
At the end of the Check In (after the time expires): You can call your friend or view their location. When you view their location, you may see additional information they shared with you.