Like many social media apps today, Instagram also allows you to share your location with others. In this post, we go over all the ways you can let your connections know where you are.
Good to know: alternatively, check how to share your location on WhatsApp.
Share Your Live Location in Instagram
This feature might not be available in all regions, so if you can’t see it just yet, you might have to wait a while before you can use it. Sometimes, Instagram starts rolling out a feature in select countries, only making the option widely available later. You can also try checking whether there are any new updates for the Instagram app and installing them.
Note: this feature is only available through the mobile app at the moment.
Instagram allows you to share your live location via Direct Messages. Open a chat with someone and look for the + button at the bottom. It should be available next to the sticker icon. Select Location from the tiny menu that pops up.
If you’re using this option for the first time, a pop-up will appear on the screen asking you to turn your device location on. Press Continue.
Check to see if the location is accurate, as shown on the map, and then hit the Share your location button.
Your location will now be shared with the other party for 1 hour. They can tap the View button to see your location on a wider map.
Tip: you can now create an Instagram profile card and connect with others with ease.
Share a Pinned Location
If you want to share a specific location, you’ll have to create a pin first. Open the location page as we explained above.
Press the Pin button.
Use the search bar at the top to look for the address in question. Once you have your pin, go ahead and press the Send pinned location button.
Tip: check how to add location to events in Google Calendar.
Share a Location From Search
Now, let’s say you don’t want to share your current location with someone, you just want to share a particular location. For instance, a restaurant or another fun spot you’ve discovered around town. If they are on Instagram (and chances are that’s the case) you can share their location easily with others.
Open the Instagram app and tap on the Search icon at the bottom.
Type in the name of the place. For this example, I’m using the name of a restaurant located in New York. Select the first result that comes up (in most cases.)
At the top, swipe through the options until you find Places and tap it. Select the first result that comes up (it’s usually the one you’re looking for.)
You’ll be taken to a page that shows the restaurant’s location at the top. You can also follow the page and check posts that were tagged at this location.
To share this location with someone, press the three dots next to the establishment’s name and select Show QR code.
This will generate a QR code for this page. Press Save QR code. This will save the code to your device.
Next, share this QR code with the other person via Instagram or any other app. When the recipient scans the code with their smartphone, they’ll be taken directly to the restaurant’s Instagram page complete with location view. To get directions to the spot, recipients can tap the three dots and select Open in Maps.
Note: you can also discover new places in your area by pressing the paper plane-like icon in the map area.
Add a Location to a Post
You can also let others know where you are by adding a location to your posts, Reels, or Stories. Instagram allows you to do this from the mobile app or the web version.
Open Instagram and press the + button to add a new post or Reel. Upload or snap a picture/video using your phone’s camera. Make the edits to the post as you see necessary.
When you finally reach the posting screen, tap on Add location. Instagram should automatically suggest some options based on your device’s location.
Alternatively, you can search for a specific location.
Once the location has been added to your post, you can go ahead and share the post.
When it comes to Stories, upload or snap a photo/video, then proceed to the editing screen. Tap on the Stickers button at the top.
Select Location.
Add or search for a location just like before to add it to your post. Now the Story can go live.
If you’re not a frequent Instagram user, it might be useful to know alternative methods of sharing your location on Android. For iPhone owners who love snapping Live photos, here’s how to post them on Instagram.
Image credit: Unsplash, Flaticon All screenshots by Alexandra Arici
