Instagram now allows you to share your live location: Here’s how to use the feature

Meta, for a long time, has been adding some useful features to Instagram that make the overall user experience better. Now, it has added the ability to share your live location with your friends on Instagram via DMs (Direct Messages).

Notably, the same feature is already available on WhatsApp, another popular app owned by Meta. Rival social media app Snapchat also allows users to share live location via the Snap Map. Now, with the live location sharing feature on Instagram, Meta appears to be boosting more interactions between users, allowing them to locate each other.

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Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram’s latest live location sharing feature and how you can use it.

How to share live location in Instagram DMs

Instagram’s live location sharing feature is rolling out to everyone. This includes both Android phone users and iPhone users. However, the rollout maybe gradual and region specific. Although, we were able to use the feature in India.

Having said that, let’s see how you can use the new feature to share your location with your friends. But before we proceed, be cautions and don’t share your location with a complete stranger.

Step 1: Make sure to update Instagram to the latest version. Once done, open the app.

Step 2: On the home screen, swipe from left to right to open DMs.

Step 3: Open the chat in which you want to share your location.

Step 4: Once you are in the chat, tap on the Plus (+) icon in the lower right corner.

Step 5: Tap Location and then tap on Share your location. Your live location will then be shared with the other user.

Instagram allows you to share your live location for up to an hour. WhatsApp, on the other hand, allows you to share your location for up to eight hours. Given that, we might we see Instagram increasing the time of sharing the live location in the near future.

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Instagram’s rival Snapchat also allows users to share their live location with users in messages. Apple’s iMessage users can also share their live location indefinitely with with their friends.

Besides this, Instagram is testing a feature that lets users reset the app’s algorithm. When you reset the Instagram algorithm, you will get a fresh start, with a new explore tab, fresh reels, and new posts. This feature will be gradually rolled out to users globally.