GoKawiilMegan Ellis / Android Authority
TL;DR Google is testing a more efficient way to share your current location with others.
With this change, a new button will reduce a step while sharing your location.
Google is also testing changes to the additional options while navigating with Maps.
What do you typically do when someone asks for your current location? You probably share it over a messaging platform like WhatsApp or Google Messages, as most people would. But did you know you can also share your current location directly using Google Maps? I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, because the option isn’t immediately visible, and you’re likely to have missed it unless someone specifically told you about it. Well, it looks like Google might have realized that too, and is now making it easier to share your location with others.
To be able to share your location from Google Maps, you must tap the blue dot that pinpoints your location. When you tap it, an overlay appears with a button to “Share your location.” This generates a URL and opens Google’s share sheet so you can send the link via an app. Thankfully, Google is fixing the less-than-obvious method.
Existing button New button
Google could replace this with a floating action button (FAB) that appears on the main Maps screen, eliminating the extra step of tapping the blue dot. We’ve spotted the functionality being tested in version 26.12.03.884026066 of Google Maps, though it hasn’t been enabled for the broader set of users.
The newly added FAB has a share icon superimposed over a location pin to imply the functionality. When enabled, the button appears when you zoom in on your current location or tap the compass-shaped button. It auto-hides when you’re scrolling the map, exploring the area around your location.
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