How to share location and directions with Maps for iPhone and iPad

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Apple Maps
Apple Maps (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore)

Sometimes it's not enough for you to know where you are or where you're going. Sometimes you need to let other people know. Maybe you want to share a great new coffee shop you've found, maybe you got separated at the park, or maybe you need to be picked up where your car broke down. Sure, there's Find My for sharing location all the time but, when you need to share location any time, there's Maps.

How to share your location with Maps for iPhone and iPad

You can share your location using Apple's built-in Mail or Messages extensions, as well as through any apps you've installed that offer extensions on share sheets.

  1. Launch the Maps app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap the current location arrow. This will take you to your location on the map, marked by a pulsating blue dot.
  3. Tap the blue dot.

To share your location with Maps, launch the Maps app, then tap the current location arrow. Tap the blue dot. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Share My Location.
  2. Tap the extension you'd like to use to share your location.

To share your location with Maps, tap Share My Location, then tap the extension to use (Image credit: iMore)

How to add your location to Notes with Maps for iPhone and iPad

You can send locations to the Notes app to collect them into travel, project, or other plans.

  1. Launch the Maps app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap the current location arrow. This will take you to your location on the map, marked by a pulsating blue dot.
  3. Tap the blue dot.

To share your location with Maps, launch the Maps app, then tap the current location arrow. Tap the blue dot. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Share My Location.
  2. Tap the add to notes extension.
  3. Save to the notebook you select.

To add your location to Notes, tap Share My Location, then select the Notes extension. Save to your notebook (Image credit: iMore)

How to share your location via AirDrop with Maps for iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the Maps app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap the current location arrow. This will take you to your location on the map, marked by a pulsating blue dot.
  3. Tap the blue dot.

To share your location with Maps, launch the Maps app, then tap the current location arrow. Tap the blue dot. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Share My Location.
  2. Choose the person or nearly device to send your current location to via AirDrop.

o share your location with Maps via AirDrop, tap Share My Location, then choose the person or nearly device to send your current location. (Image credit: iMore)

How to share directions with Maps for iPhone and iPad

In addition to locations, you can also share full-on directions with Maps:

  1. Launch the Maps app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap the search bar.
  3. Enter an address or location.

To share directions with Maps, launch the Maps app, then tap the Search bar, and enter an address or location. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Scroll down, select the share sheet icon.
  2. Send using your preferred method.

To share directions with Maps, select the share sheet icon. Then send using your preferred method. (Image credit: iMore)

Send ETA

You can also send someone your estimated time to arrival (ETA) to a location by following similar steps.

What's coming?

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Changes are coming to the Maps app in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. These include the introduction of cycling directions that will consist of bike lanes, paths, and roads. Electric vehicle routing is also incoming.

Apple also plans on introducing expanding travel guides in the new software releases. The guides will automatically update when new places get added.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below.

Updated July 2020: Made sure everything's updated for iOS 13!

Maps for iPhone and iPad

○ What's new in the Maps app
○ How to find locations and get directions with Maps
○ How to share location and directions with Maps
○ How to delete your search history and prior destinations in Maps
○ How to use Siri with Maps
○ How to enable and use Maps extensions
○ Best Maps app extensions
○ How to change settings for Maps
○ How to report a problem in Maps
○ How to use Maps with CarPlay

Bryan M Wolfe
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.