Location sharing is a feature available on smartphones that allows users to share their real-time location with friends or family. This feature is commonly used on apps like Find My Friends (iPhone), Google Maps, Snapchat, and Life360 to keep track of loved ones. However, if someone stops sharing their location with you, you might wonder whether they turned it off intentionally or if it’s due to technical issues.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to know if someone stopped sharing their location with you, how to check for signs on different devices, and what to do if you’re unsure whether someone turned off their location.
Also Read: What Does No Location Found Mean?
How to Know If Someone Stopped Sharing Their Location with You
If you suspect that someone has stopped sharing their location with you, there are a few clear signs to look for:
1. You No Longer See Their Location on “Find My” (iPhone Users)
For iPhone users, Apple’s Find My app allows location sharing. If someone previously shared their location and you no longer see it, it could mean:
- They stopped sharing their location with you.
- Their device is turned off or in Airplane Mode.
- They deleted you from their shared location list.
To check:
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
- Select the person’s name under People.
- If it says “No location found” or “Location unavailable”, they may have stopped sharing.
2. “Location Not Available” Message Appears
When someone turns off their location, you may see “Location Not Available” on apps like Find My or Google Maps. This message could mean:
- Their phone is off.
- They disabled location services.
- They removed you from location sharing.
To confirm, try refreshing the app or checking if others can still see their location.
3. You Can No Longer See Their Location on Google Maps
Google Maps allows real-time location sharing between users. If someone was sharing their location with you and suddenly stops appearing on the map, they may have:
- Disabled location sharing.
- Removed you from their list of people who can view their location.
To check:
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Go to “Location Sharing” and see if their name is still listed.
If they no longer appear, they might have revoked access.
4. Snapchat Location Disappears
Snapchat’s Snap Map allows users to share their live location with friends. If someone was visible on Snap Map but is now missing, they might have:
- Turned on Ghost Mode.
- Stopped sharing their location with you.
To check:
- Open Snapchat and swipe down to view Snap Map.
- If their Bitmoji is missing, they may have disabled location sharing.
- Try asking another friend if they can still see them on Snap Map.
Also Read: How to Refresh AirTag Location
What Happens When Someone Stops Sharing Their Location?
If someone turns off location sharing, a few things happen depending on the platform:
- On Find My (iPhone): You’ll no longer see their location, and it may show “Location Not Available”.
- On Google Maps: They disappear from your location-sharing list.
- On Snapchat: Their Bitmoji disappears from Snap Map, or they appear in Ghost Mode.
Most apps do not send notifications when someone stops sharing their location, so you’ll have to check manually.
How to Tell If Someone Turned Off Their Location Intentionally
If you’re unsure whether someone intentionally stopped sharing or if it’s a technical issue, consider these factors:
- If their location was available before but is suddenly missing, it’s likely they turned it off.
- If their phone is turned off, you may also see “Location Not Available”, but this would be temporary.
- Check with mutual friends to see if they can still see the person’s location.
If their location isn’t available to anyone, their phone may be off, in Airplane Mode, or experiencing a GPS issue.
Can You Get Notified When Someone Stops Sharing Their Location?
No, Apple, Google Maps, and Snapchat do not notify users when someone stops sharing their location. You have to check manually through Find My, Google Maps, or Snap Map to see if they are still sharing.
However, on iPhone, you can set up a notification to alert you when someone arrives or leaves a location—but if they stop sharing their location, this feature will no longer work.
Also Read: Can You Still See Someone’s Location If They Blocked You?
What to Do If Someone Stops Sharing Their Location with You
If you notice that someone has stopped sharing their location, you might wonder why. Here’s what you can do:
- Respect their privacy: Some people may choose to disable location sharing for personal reasons.
- Ask them directly: If you’re close to the person, politely ask if they intentionally stopped sharing.
- Check for technical issues: It’s possible their phone is off, their settings changed accidentally, or their GPS is malfunctioning.
If you feel concerned about their safety, try reaching out via call or message instead of assuming the worst.
FAQs About Location Sharing
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering how to know if someone stopped sharing their location with you, there are a few ways to check. Apps like Find My (iPhone), Google Maps, and Snapchat allow users to share their location, but if you no longer see their location, it could mean they turned it off, stopped sharing, or have a technical issue.
Since no direct notification is sent, you’ll need to manually check for signs like “Location Not Available” or their absence from Snap Map. If you’re unsure whether it was intentional, consider asking them directly while respecting their privacy and personal choice.
