So, just imagine this: you have a teenager, and they’re heading out to their first big concert with some friends, or maybe they’re walking home from a party or even a late-night study session. You trust them, of course, but as a parent, it’s completely natural to feel a twinge of concern.
Wouldn’t it be reassuring to know exactly where they are, just in case? Well, for a lot of people, the Messages App on iPhone comes in not just for a quick “Hey, I’m here” text or family group chats but as a surprisingly powerful tool for location sharing.
It doesn’t really matter if you’re just trying to ensure your child gets home safely, coordinating last-minute pickup, or even something like having some peace of mind (which all parents deserve), but knowing how to see someone’s location through Messages can be a lifesaver (and know-hows, maybe quite literally too). Plus, it’s simple, sure, and there’s no headache involved.
Now, let’s go ahead and walk through five ways to use Messages to check someone’s location, troubleshoot common suess, and even introduce additional tools for parents who need more robust tracking options!
Okay, so let’s start with the simplest method: checking a location someone already shared with you. If your child or another family member has shared their location through Messages, Apple makes it a breeze to see where they are—no need for extra apps or awkward “Where are you now?” texts.

Step Into the Conversation
Now, for starters, you’ll need to open the Messages app and then find the chat with the person whose location you want to check.
Tap Their Name
At the top of the screen, tap their name or profile picture to open a menu of options. Among these, you’ll find their location details—if they’ve chosen to share them with you.
Spot Them on the Map
If they’ve shared their location, you’ll see a map pop up showing exactly where they are. In a way, it’s like having a “digital breadcrumb trail” that updates in real time. So, no matter where they are, such as your kid just hanging out with friends or on their way home from school, you can see it all.
Now, if you don’t see the map, it’s probably because they haven’t turned on location sharing with you. But don’t panic! There are plenty of ways to request access or encourage them to share, which we’ll get into later. For now, knowing how to spot their shared location is a great starting point for keeping everyone connected.
It’s simple, it’s pretty convenient, and it even saves you from worrying when you really don’t need to. Just think of it like a digital window into their world, and yeah, it’s available when you need it most!

Sometimes, people just forget to share their location, or maybe they didn’t realize you’d find it helpful. Thankfully, with Messages, it makes it pretty easy to ask politely for it.
Find the Conversation
Head to the Messages app and open up the chat with the person whose location you’d like to see. It can be your aging parent, your child, or even your spouse who’s in the middle of running some errands, but this is where it all starts.
Tap Their Name
Once you’re in the chat, you’ll need to tap on their name or profile picture to pull up options. From here, select Ask to Share Location.
Send the Request
This sends a notification to their phone, asking them to approve or deny the request. It’s Apple’s way of keeping location sharing secure and consensual, so no sneaky tracking is allowed!
Why This Works
Alright, so this feature is perfect for those moments when you need to check in but don’t want to bombard them with texts asking, “Where are you?” It’s especially helpful for coordinating plans or ensuring your child’s safety during an outing. Plus, it feels a lot less intrusive than other tracking methods, giving them the option to share their location without feeling pressured (because this can feel awkward and could even create some tension).
Once they approve the request, their live location will appear on a map within the Messages app, just like magic. And if they decide not to share? Well, there’s always the option to lead by example—sharing your location first, which we’ll talk about next.
What makes this so good is the fact that this method is not just practical, but it’s polite, too. Since it gives them control while keeping you in the loop, which is what good communication is all about.
Sending Your Location to Encourage Sharing
Now, sometimes, getting someone to share their location can feel a little awkward. Now, you don’t want to come off as overly pushy, right? Well, that’s where leading by example can actually work wonders. Now, if you’re sending your own location first, you’re setting up the tone. You’re showing you’re relaxed about this, and they should hopefully feel the same. Now, here’s how you can do it effortlessly through the Messages app.
Step into the Chat

Open up the Messages app and find the chat of the person you want to nudge, such as your child, who’s at their friend’s house. This is going to be your starting point.
Hit Send My Current Location
Tap their name or profile picture, then select Send My Current Location. Just like that, a map with your location will appear in the chat.
Why It Works Like a Charm
Sharing your location first is a low-key, friendly nudge. It sends the message that location sharing isn’t just some big, invasive deal. It’s just helpful too. It can be a bit challenging to older teens who really value their privacy. But most of the time, people tend to be willing to follow your lead and share their location. It feels natural, it doesn’t feel forced (which people rightfully hate), and overall, it keeps that relaxed vibe.
Now, you just can’t expect anyone, family or not, to be willing to share their location right away. So if they don’t do it immediately, well, no harm done because you’ve still opened the door for better communication, and it might make them more likely to share next time.
Using Scannero.io to Send a Location Request

When using the usual tricks, well, they might not always work. But Scannero.io can be a great tool. Now, it’s perfect for those moments when location sharing isn’t enabled, and you just absolutely need to know where someone is.
How Scannero.io Works
Scannero.io generates a link that you send via Messages. When the recipient clicks the link, their live location is securely tracked, and it’s shared with you, so there are no extra apps or complicated setups required.

Why It’s So Handy
Maybe your child is completely about (or doesn’t know how) to enable sharing, or you’re trying to coordinate with someone on a non-iPhone device. Well, it can bridge the gap for that. The recipient has to click the link for tracking to work, so it’s all about mutual consent. It’s also a lifesaver for those “just in case” moments when you need location information fast.

Troubleshooting Location-Sharing Messages
So, location sharing isn’t working? Don’t panic—it’s usually a quick fix.
Is Location Services On?
You’ll Need to ensure the person has location services enabled under Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Also, confirm Messages has access to their location (set to “While Using the App” or “Always”).
Did They Allow Sharing in the Find My App?
In the Find My app, check if they’ve added you under People. If not, they can tap Share My Location and add you.
Is Everyone Connected to the Internet?
Okay, so both devices need a stable internet connection. No Wi-Fi or data? Well, that means no real-time updates.
Restart if Needed
Whenever you’re in doubt, you’ll need to restart both devices, which usually solves a lot of issues.
Family Orbit- It’s Your All-in-One Parenting Lifeline

For those parents who are looking for more than what Messages offers, then Family Orbit is the ultimate solution. It’s a parental control app designed to keep your family connected and safe.
Know Exactly Where They Are
It has real-time tracking, so Family Orbit is the ultimate solution. It’s a parental control app, meaning that it’s totally designed to keep your whole family connected and safe.
It’s More Than Just a Map
Now, here’s the kicker: Family Orbit goes way beyond location tracking! Yep, it actually offers insights such as app usage, screen time, and so much more. If you think about it, it’s like having a full picture of your child’s digital world. So you don’t have to stress over what they’re doing and whether or not they’re safe offline or online.
It’s Easy to Set Up
Setting up Family Orbit is a breeze; you just need to download the app, then create a family group, and afterward invite the family- like your child. From there, you’re all set with the right tools that give you some peace of mind (what every parent deserves)!
Staying Connected and Safe with Location Sharing
The Messages app on iPhone isn’t just for memes or planning outings through group chats; it’s basically a lifeline for staying connected with the people who matter most. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways out there to keep your loved ones safe and close to you, even when you all are apart.
Well, at the end of the day, it’s all about balance, like checking in without being overbearing and giving your kids some room to grow while still staying connected. Thanks to these helpful tools, you can skip all the “Where are you?” texts, but instead, you can just have peace of mind due to the fact they’re just a map away.
- Monitor Calls & Text Messages
- View Photos and Videos
- Location Tracking & Geofence
- Monitor WhatsApp & Kik
- Detect & Alert for Inappropriate Activities
- Monitor Websites Visited
- Compatible with Android and iOS