Skip to main content

Google Maps location sharing now also shares your phone’s battery life

Google Maps location sharing now also shares your phone’s battery life

/

No more lying about missed calls, pal

Share this story

A photo showing someone using Apple Maps on an iPhone
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

For people who use Google Maps to get directions or conveniently share their location with friends and family, a new feature is starting to roll out to the app. First discovered by Android Police, your friend’s battery level will be included in the set of information you receive when they share their location with you. It’s a helpful addition for keeping tabs on your friends and ensuring they’re safe.

When you share your location with someone in the Google Maps app, it will show up on your friend’s map, and they can then use that information to get directions to exactly where you’re located. With the new update and its inclusion of battery life, it’s easy to tell why someone hasn’t called to tell you they’re lost or finally made it to their destination because you’ll be able to keep a watchful eye on how much battery life they have left. Now, there won’t be as much cause for worry if someone’s location drops off because you’ll be able to rest easy knowing it could just be because their phone died.

The new feature first made itself known back in February when Android Police did a teardown of the Google Maps v9.71 beta. You can check out the new feature on both iOS and Android versions of the app today.