Published: September 18, 2026
If you share your location with someone on Google Maps, but they see an old location or “Offline” when they check it, your shared location isn’t updating properly. This can happen when Google Maps can’t access your location, your phone is preventing the app from running in the background, your internet connection isn’t working properly, or the location-sharing session has ended.
Quick Fix
First, check the phone that is sharing the location. Make sure it is sending the correct location and that Google Maps has permission to use your location.
Android: Google Maps → Location → Allow all the time → Use precise location ON.
iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Google Maps → Always → Precise Location ON.
After that, check the phone receiving the location. Check that Google Maps is updated and that no setting is preventing it from working properly.
- Confirm Location Sharing is still active for that person under the profile icon in Google Maps.
- Check whether Battery Saver, Low Power Mode, or other background restrictions are turned on.
- Confirm the device has a working Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
- On the receiving end, open the person’s shared location and tap Refresh to check for a new update.
These checks resolve the issue in many cases, but not every one. The sections below go through each area in more detail.
If your own location on the map looks wrong instead of a shared one, that’s a separate issue, and our guide on wrong directions covers that separately.
Why Is Google Maps Location Sharing Not Updating?
Google Maps can show a person’s recent location to others even when the app isn’t open on their phone. So, their own location may be updating normally while the location shared with someone else has stopped updating.
When this happens, the problem can be on the phone sharing the location, the phone receiving it, or with Location Sharing itself.
Check Google Maps Location Sharing Status
On the sender’s phone, open Google Maps, tap the profile picture or initial in the top right, and select Location sharing. Check that the person is still listed and that sharing hasn’t ended.
If the person isn’t listed or the sharing period has ended, share your location with them again.
On the recipient’s phone, open Location sharing, select the person, tap More, and choose Refresh to check for a newer location.
Fix Location Permission Settings on Android
Google Maps needs location access to update the device’s location for Location Sharing. If this permission is blocked or limited, the shared location may stop updating.
- Open Settings > Apps > Google Maps > Permissions > Location. On some Galaxy phones, you can also find app location permissions under Settings > Location > App permission.
- Set location access to Allow all the time.
- If you see Use precise location, turn it on.
The exact menu path can vary depending on your Android version and phone model.
Fix Location Permission Settings on iPhone
Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
Make sure Location Services is turned on, then tap Google Maps.
If Always is available, select it so Google Maps can access your location in the background.
Turn on Precise Location.
The steps are similar across recent iPhone models. If you’re using a different model or iOS version, some setting names or menu options may look different.
Turn Off Battery Saver or Low Power Mode
Battery-saving features can sometimes limit background activity and affect how Location Sharing works. Turning them off temporarily can help rule this out.
Android: Open Settings > Battery and look for Battery Saver or the battery settings for Google Maps. If Google Maps has a battery usage restriction, remove it temporarily and test Location Sharing again.
iPhone: Open Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode. Then check whether the shared location starts updating normally.
Check Mobile Data and Wi-Fi Connection
An internet connection is required when sharing your location, whether you’re using Wi-Fi or mobile data. If the location isn’t updating, check that the connection is working and that the blue dot on the sender’s phone shows the correct location.
Restart Google Maps Location Sharing
If the settings and internet connection look fine, try stopping Location Sharing and setting it up again.
- Open Location sharing on the sender’s phone.
- Select the affected contact.
- Stop sharing with them.
- Start sharing again and choose the sharing duration.
Then check the recipient’s phone to see if the location starts updating.
Clear Google Maps Cache on Android
Old cached files can sometimes cause app problems, especially after an update. Clearing the old cache gives Google Maps a fresh set of temporary files to work with.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Google Maps.
- Tap Storage & cache.
- Select Clear cache. Do not select Clear storage, as this removes the app’s stored data.
What to Do If Google Maps Location Sharing Is Delayed or Frozen
If the location is still delayed or frozen for more than 24 hours, check whether Google is asking you to verify your age. Also, when setting up Location Sharing again, choose Until you turn this off as the sharing duration.
Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture or initial, and go to Location sharing > New share. Under Share your real-time location, select Until you turn this off, choose the person, and tap Share.
For more help, you can follow the full troubleshooting steps in Google’s official Location Sharing guide.
FAQ
How often does Google Maps Location Sharing update?
Google Maps doesn’t update shared locations at a fixed time. If it stays unchanged for a while, check the sender’s connection and location settings.
If the shared location is wrong or not updating, checking the internet connection, battery settings, and clearing the cache may help fix the issue. If the problem still isn’t fixed, setting up the app again may solve it.
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