Google Messages could get a fantastic location-sharing overhaul
Sharing your location with friends on Google Messages could get much better.
Google Messages may get new location sharing features. | Image by PhoneArena
Real-time location sharing is probably one of the most useful features allowed by modern smartphones. While Google Messages has been supporting it for a while, it appears there will be a really nice upgrade in a future version of the app.
Google may introduce a significant change to how the location sharing map view works inside Google Messages. Android Authority reports that they could activate a new icon that permitted them to switch the map layers in the latest beta version of the app.
The new layer button reveals a menu that allows users to choose between three different map styles. Those are the same as inside Google Maps, including “Default,” “Satelite,” and “Terrain.” There’s also a toggle for “Map details,” which allows users to activate an overlay with real-time traffic data, regardless of the map view they have selected.
In the current public version of Google Maps, you can only use the “default” view of the integrated Google Maps preview when someone shares their location. This isn’t necessarily a bad option, but many users are used to using Google Maps in the Satellite or Terrain view layers, which are currently unavailable in the messaging app.
Adding the option to see real-time traffic information is also very useful, as it can be a quick explanation as to why your friends are running late. The change that was spotted in the Messages beta isn’t exactly shocking. Google introduced the same options to its Find Hub app last year, where the Maps now allows users to choose between layers.
This is something WhatsApp users on iOS 27 can already enjoy. Once you open a shared location on an iPhone, you can switch between different map views. However, to see traffic data, you still need to rely on an external app, such as Apple Maps or Google Maps.
As it’s usual with such updates, there’s no information on whether these features will ever roll out, and if they do, when that might happen. It’s common for Google to keep new features in testing for a while before rolling them out to a small number of users.
I’d love to see this update launching sooner rather than later, though. Switching between apps is annoying, especially when it’s for something as simple as seeing a different map view.
Google Messages could start allowing different map views when sharing locations
Google may introduce a significant change to how the location sharing map view works inside Google Messages. Android Authority reports that they could activate a new icon that permitted them to switch the map layers in the latest beta version of the app.
The new layer button reveals a menu that allows users to choose between three different map styles. Those are the same as inside Google Maps, including “Default,” “Satelite,” and “Terrain.” There’s also a toggle for “Map details,” which allows users to activate an overlay with real-time traffic data, regardless of the map view they have selected.
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Google Messages is getting a better user experience
The potential new maps interface in Google Messages. | Images by Android Authority
In the current public version of Google Maps, you can only use the “default” view of the integrated Google Maps preview when someone shares their location. This isn’t necessarily a bad option, but many users are used to using Google Maps in the Satellite or Terrain view layers, which are currently unavailable in the messaging app.
Adding the option to see real-time traffic information is also very useful, as it can be a quick explanation as to why your friends are running late. The change that was spotted in the Messages beta isn’t exactly shocking. Google introduced the same options to its Find Hub app last year, where the Maps now allows users to choose between layers.
Hopefully, it launches sooner rather than later
As it’s usual with such updates, there’s no information on whether these features will ever roll out, and if they do, when that might happen. It’s common for Google to keep new features in testing for a while before rolling them out to a small number of users.
I’d love to see this update launching sooner rather than later, though. Switching between apps is annoying, especially when it’s for something as simple as seeing a different map view.
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