TheFind My appis great for helping you track your Apple devices andAirTags. It has saved me many times when I’ve accidentally left myAirPodsbehind somewhere. It’s also an excellent way to keep track of any items you may have AirTags with, such as your wallet or backpack. However,you may also use the Find My appto share your location with contacts on your phone, such as friends and family.
In 2019, Apple combined theFind My Friends appwith theFind My app. This feature allows you to share youriPhone’slocation with a contact, such as a family member or friend, and vice versa. So, as long as you have your iPhone with you, the people you choose can see where you are.
It’s quick and easy to set up, and you can use it when going out on a date, to a concert, to big crowd events, or even just out on a run.
This feature was created with safety top of mind. I’ve used it every time I’ve traveled internationally, and it’s a great way to give a bit of peace of mind to anyone you trust who’s worried about you while you’re away.
It’s quick and easy to set up, and you can use it when going out on a date, to a concert, to big crowd events, or even just out on a run. I find it extremely useful for traveling with my friends or family, as it’s a great way to find each other in a big city or at conventions.
Apple’s Find My allows you to view the location of your Apple devices, locate items you’ve attached AirTags to, and track the location of your friends and family.
How to set up Find My Friends and track an iPhone
Apple’s Find My app enables you to track the location of your friends. Here’s how to set it up, track a friend’s iPhone and some extra tips.
How to share your location with someone
Your friends and family can follow these steps to share their location, too
The Find My app works by sending a contact on your iPhone your location. Once you have done so, the contact you sent your location to will be prompted to share their location back with you.
To start the process, open the Find My app. The app is automatically installed on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Follow these steps:
1. Open theFind Myapp.
2. Select thePeople tab.
3. TapStart Sharing Location.
- Search for andselect the contactyou want to share your location with.
5. Hitsend.
- Decide how long you want to share your location:One Hour, Until the End of the Day,orIndefinitely.
Your location will now be shared with that contact. Your contact will be able to see your name, location, and distance from you.
The Find My app will notify the contact you’ve shared your location with and ask them if they want to share their location with you as well. They can find the request in the People tab in the Find My app. If they accept, you and your contact can track each other’s locations.
You can also view each other’s locations in the Messages app. Navigate to the contact you shared locations with, and you’ll see their location under their name. If you tap their profile icon, you’ll see where they are on the map and the option to get directions with Apple Maps to them.
How to stop sharing your location with a contact
To stop sharing your location with a contact, go to thePeopletab on the Find My app and swipe right on the contact’s name. You will see a trash can icon. Tap that, and location sharing with that person will be removed.
Alternatively, you can navigate to the Contacts or Messages apps, select the contact, and chooseStop Sharing My Location.
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How to set up notifications
Notify your friends and family when you get home safely
There are a few different notification options for someone you’ve shared your location with. For example, I had a friend pick me up from the train station, and they set a notification for my location when I arrived there.
you’re able to add notifications for the contacts you track when they leave or enter a specific location. If you add a notification, they will be notified and made aware of the fact you made a notification for them. It’s always best to speak with your family or friends before setting up notifications with them.
Notify Me will set up notifications for when a contact arrives at or leaves a location. Notify Contact will set up notifications for your contact when you arrive at or leave a location. You can also choose the frequency of the notifications: Only Once or Every Time.
Here’s how you can set up notifications:
1.Tap the contactyou want to add a notification to.
2. Scroll down toNotifications.
3. SelectAdd.
4. ChooseNotify MeorNotify Contact.
5.Selectthe Notification option you desire and click add.
If you want to delete a notification you’ve made, tap the notification under the Notifications tab and scroll down to delete.
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Managing your location
You can choose to turn off location-sharing with a few quick steps
The Find My app lets you manage when you share your location and whether you can receive requests to share your location.
To access these options, go to the Me tab at the bottom right of the Find My app. You will see three options there: My Location, My Location via Satellite, and Notifications.
My Location
Under the My Location tab, you can turn off location sharing and edit the name of your current location. For example, if you’re at home, you can choose to label the location as home. You can also do this when you’re at work, the gym, or school, or you can even add a custom label, such as the train station or your local coffee shop.
My Location via Satellite
This setting lets you share your location via satellite if you don’t have Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. Only someiPhones have satellite connectioncapabilities.
Notifications
Allow Friend Requests is the only option here. You can toggle it on or off. If you turn it off, you will no longer receive requests to share your location from contacts. To create location notifications for yourself or your contacts, follow the steps outlined above.
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