Explain the request before sending it
Use a location request when the customer has a clear reason to share where they are, such as helping a team find a meeting point. Explain what you need and offer a typed address as an alternative.
- Open the intended one-to-one conversation and confirm the recipient.
- Choose Request location, or Location on a narrow screen, when the control is available.
- Wait for the person to respond to the request in Messages. Requested means the request is pending, not that a location is available.
Read the sharing state
When a position is available, the conversation offers a map link. Location accuracy and availability can vary; confirm critical meeting details directly with the person.
- Waiting for a response: the request has been sent but the person has not shared a location.
- Sharing active, waiting for the first fix: sharing is enabled but usable coordinates have not arrived.
- A location with an address or coordinates: a position is available; review any accuracy and expiry information shown.
- Declined, stopped, or ended: the request was declined or sharing has finished. Do not treat a previous location as a current one.
The recipient controls sharing
A request does not locate someone automatically or bypass their choice. Respect a decline or a stopped share. This control is for direct conversations, not group chats, and messaging blocks can prevent the request.
If no fix arrives, ask the person whether they intended to share and use a written address if that works better. Repeated requests do not resolve an unavailable position.