---
title: "How Google Maps’ live location can help you find a stolen phone"  
description: "The live location-sharing feature on Google Maps provides users with real-time access to their device's location, offering remarkable accuracy of up t"  
author: "Anonymous User"  
published: 2024-02-07  
updated: 2024-02-07  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/news/3760/how-google-maps-live-location-can-help-you-find-a-stolen-phone  
category: "google map"  
tags: ["news", "smartphones", "google maps", "google maps optimization services"]  
reading_time: 3 minutes  

---

# How Google Maps’ live location can help you find a stolen phone

Google Maps has launched a new function for users to track live positions, which is very useful in finding [lost or stolen](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/105143/how-to-secure-business-information-on-lost-or-stolen-mobile-devices) smartphones. Let's quickly have a look at what is in it.\

**Live Device Location** \

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The live location-sharing feature in Google Maps gives users access to their device’s precise and >10m accurate [GPS coordinates](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/110911/how-to-share-location-on-google-maps-with-gps-coordinates-on-iphone-safari) together with the percentage battery left, and available address labels. For cases of lost or stolen phones, it is however advisable not to dial the device. Otherwise, users can even track its live location with the help of authorities while leaving it to remain switched on and connected online.\

**Sharing Your [Current Location](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/34690/how-to-automatically-fill-our-current-location-in-the-places-textarea-for-my-mvc-application) Live on Google Maps**

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For sharing live locations on Google Maps, the users must have an updated version of the [application](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12824/calculator-application-in-android) installed. They can then head to their [profile picture](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103583/changing-skype-profile-picture-how) in the top right corner, tap location sharing, and select new share. Users can decide for what period of time they would like people around them or several selected contacts from their phone book as well as platforms to be aware of his/her whereabouts. For this feature to work effectively, permission to make the device’s location accessible at all times must be given. Measures have been taken by Android and iOS devices such that it is hard to switch off the smartphone, with some cases on certain iPhones using Find My allowing tracking even when switched off.\

## Importance of eSIM

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For added security, it is recommended to use eSIM instead of a physical SIM card as for remote live location tracking such features become useless if the thief removes and destroys the hard copy (physical) part. Being a Google product, Google Maps’ live location sharing is not limited to those who are on the same messaging platform with such users as it can be shared via any instant or [text message](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/50389/what-to-do-when-your-iphone-6s-keeps-saying-that-your-sim-sent-a-text-message).\

This feature might be very similar to functions that were available on WhatsApp and other [applications](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12847/how-to-choose-the-right-ethernet-cable-for-industrial-applications) of Ola or Uber app but the same has come with privacy concern issues. Nonetheless, in tracing lost and stolen phones these [capabilities](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/490/explain-the-concepts-and-capabilities-of-assembly-in-dot-net) have proved irreplaceable for their success.\

In summary, the live location-sharing feature on Google Maps has proved to be an indispensable tool in locating and tracking a stolen or lost smartphone. Its live location tracking feature and the ability to work across different platforms make it a reliable tool for users tracing their devices under similar circumstances.

---

Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/news/3760/how-google-maps-live-location-can-help-you-find-a-stolen-phone

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