Live Location on Snapchat: What is it and how to use it (2025 Guide)
What is Live Location on Snapchat?
Live Location is a Snapchat+ feature. It allows you to share your real-time Location with friends and family. Even when the app is closed, they can know where you are. This is different from Snap Map. Snap Map updates only when you open Snapchat. Live Location, on the other hand, tracks and updates your Location in real-time whenever your device is on.
This feature is ideal when you want your family and friends to know where you are, whether it is for safety purposes or casual meet-ups. Live Location on Snapchat is a cool feature that we’ll go over in detail below.
How to Enable Live Location?
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to enable the Live Location feature.
- Open Snapchat and tap on the top left corner of your Bitmoji.
- Go to “My friends” and choose the friend you want to share your Location with.
- Tap on the three dots on the top right.
- Choose “Share My Live Location.”
- You can choose a time duration; options include 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours.
- Select the option, and your Location is being shared.
Time Duration of Shared Live Location
On Snapchat, you have three time duration options: 15 minutes, one hour, or eight hours. If you’re meeting up with friends and want to show your Location briefly, you can choose the 15-minute or one-hour option. For more extended periods, like for safety reasons, you can use the eight-hour option to share your Location with friends and family.
How to turn off Live Location?
If you want to stop sharing your live Location on Snapchat, follow these simple steps.
- Go to the friend’s profile or chat
- Tap on the Live Location icon or settings
- Select the “Stop Sharing” option
If you want a broader approach, you can disable the Location permissions in your phone’s settings.
Difference between Snap Map and Live Location
| Feature | Snap Map | Live Location |
| Duration | Until the next activity or ghost mode | 15 min, 1 hr, 8 hrs |
| Visibility | Friends | Selected mutual friends only |
| Update schedule | On app Opening | Always updating, even with the app closed. |
| Privacy | Enable Ghost mode, Share to custom Friends | Individual friend control |
Is Snapchat Live Location on Snapchat Safe?
Yes, Snapchat’s Live location feature is safe as long as you limit it to people you trust. You can decide who sees your Location and for how long, and you can easily stop sharing if you want to at any time. Although Snapchat has strong safeguards in place, it’s always a good idea to keep your Location off unless you need to share it.