Meta is introducing real-time location sharing in Instagram direct messages, similar to Apple's Find My app. This feature allows users to share their live location with friends and family directly within individual or group chats, simplifying the process of coordinating meetups.
Prioritizing user privacy, the location sharing is disabled by default and automatically turns off after an hour. A clear indicator within the app signals when location sharing is active. Users are cautioned against sharing their location with strangers. Unlike Apple's Find My, Instagram does not offer a persistent location sharing option.
While Meta previously tested a Snap Map-like feature to display friends' locations on a map, it hasn't been publicly released. Along with location sharing, Instagram is adding new sticker packs for DMs and customizable nicknames for group chats. These updates are available in select countries. Ensure your Instagram app is updated to access these new features. For more on location sharing and privacy, see Apple's Private Wi-Fi Address guide.
This update comes alongside other recent developments in the tech world, such as Samsung's One UI 7 update delay and Threads' platform enhancements with AI summaries.