Privateness is a rising concern, particularly concerning location monitoring. Google has taken steps to boost your management over location sharing in your Android, making it easier so that you can handle who can see your whereabouts. Let’s dive into this new characteristic that Google is rolling out and how one can put it to use successfully. (iPhone users, follow these tips)
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Location Sharing on Android in settings (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The brand new Location Sharing toggle
Google has launched a brand new “Google Location Sharing” toggle that’s now built-in instantly into the Android settings. This replace eliminates the necessity to navigate by Google Maps to handle your Location Sharing preferences. The brand new characteristic is a part of the newest updates to Google Play Companies and is designed to simplify and improve your management over location sharing.
What Location Sharing means
Earlier than you toggle this off, let’s take a second to know why you may want it on and what occurs if you flip it off.
Think about this: You’re assembly a good friend in a busy metropolis, and as an alternative of sending a dozen texts backwards and forwards, they’ll merely see your real-time location on Google Maps. That’s the ability of location sharing. It permits you to share your precise place with particular contacts, together with helpful particulars like your machine’s battery degree or your estimated arrival time if you happen to’re navigating.
However when location sharing is off, your actions keep personal. Nobody can monitor the place you might be, and your private info is healthier protected against potential misuse. Apps and providers lose entry to your location knowledge, which not solely boosts your privateness however may save battery life by reducing down on background monitoring.
So, earlier than deciding, take into consideration what matches your wants greatest: staying related or staying personal.
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Supported units and software program
The characteristic is primarily obtainable on Android smartphones, together with fashionable fashions from manufacturers such because the Google Pixel collection (e.g., Pixel 6, Pixel 7), Samsung Galaxy collection (e.g., Galaxy S21, Galaxy S23) and different producers that run inventory or near-stock Android variations. Sure Android tablets that assist the newest variations of the working system might also have entry to this characteristic. The Location Sharing toggle is a part of latest updates to the Android OS, particularly by Google Play Companies. It’s best to guarantee your units are operating not less than Android 12 or later to entry this performance successfully.
Tips on how to replace the newest software program in your machine
Able to improve? This is the right way to do it, however first back up your device data (simply in case):
Settings might fluctuate relying in your Android cellphone’s producer.
- Go to Settings
- Click on System
- Faucet Software program updates
- Then click on System Replace
- If obtainable, faucet Obtain and set up
- Watch for the obtain to finish and your machine to restart
Steps to replace software program on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Tips on how to disable Location Sharing on Android
Settings might fluctuate relying in your Android cellphone’s producer.
- Open the Settings app in your cellphone
- Scroll down and click on Location
- Toggle off the place it says Use Location so it turns grey. This may disable location sharing in your Android.
Steps to disable Location Sharing on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The advantages of enhanced location management
1) Improved privateness administration
This new characteristic not solely simplifies turning off location sharing but in addition enhances privateness administration by offering transparency about who can monitor you. Now you can really feel safer realizing you might have management over your shared info, which is especially helpful in conditions the place privateness is paramount.
2) Simpler communication with trusted contacts
Location sharing could be very helpful for coordinating meetups, guaranteeing security throughout journey or just letting family members know you’ve got arrived safely. Now, we’ve proven you the right way to disable location sharing, however right here’s how one can share your real-time location with trusted contacts utilizing Google Maps when Use Location is toggled on.
- Launch the Google Maps app in your Android machine
- Faucet your profile image or preliminary within the prime proper nook
- Then choose Location sharing
Steps to share your real-time location utilizing Google Maps on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Faucet on Share location, or it’d say New share
- Determine how lengthy you need to share your location (choices vary from quarter-hour to “Till you flip this off”)
- Select the contacts you need to share your location with from the listing. In the event that they don’t seem, faucet Extra to seek out them.
- If sharing with somebody who doesn’t have a Google account, faucet Copy to clipboard and paste the hyperlink right into a textual content message or e-mail.
- Faucet Share to ship your location
Steps to share your real-time location utilizing Google Maps on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Keep in mind that folks you share your location with can all the time see:
- Your title and picture
- Your machine’s latest location, even if you’re not utilizing a Google service
- Your machine’s battery energy and if it is charging
- Your arrival and departure time, in the event that they add a Location Sharing notification
They could additionally see different information relying on the way you’re sharing. Be taught extra about Location Sharing.
Illustration of what folks you share your location with can all the time see (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Google’s new “Google Location Sharing” toggle, now built-in into Android settings, simplifies and enhances your management over location sharing. With this characteristic, Google is placing a stability between comfort and strong privateness administration, making it a welcome enchancment for Android customers.
Have you ever ever had a scenario the place turning your location sharing on or off was essential? Tell us by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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