Table of Contents
Essentials to know
- Static pins work best for fixed locations: Send your “current location” pin to mark an exact meeting spot, job site entrance, or collection point that does not change.
- Live location tracks real-time progress: Share your “live location” for 15 minutes, one hour, or eight hours to let customers track your ETA or delivery journey in real time.
- End-to-end encryption protects journey data: Live location data is end-to-end encrypted, ensuring only the participants in that specific chat can track your movement.
- Stop sharing manually upon arrival: Turn off live location tracking as soon as you arrive at your destination rather than waiting for the automatic timer to run out.
- Update your Business Profile for permanent addresses: Add your fixed shop, office, or workshop address directly to your WhatsApp Business profile so customers can easily look up your location.
Whether you’re a tradesperson travelling to a customer, a courier making a local delivery or a small-business owner guiding someone to your premises, WhatsApp location sharing can save time and confusion.
Instead of exchanging several “Where are you?” messages, you can send a fixed location pin or let someone follow your journey in real time.
Here’s how location sharing works in WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business, when to use each option and how businesses can use it safely.
What is location sharing on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp offers two main ways to share a location.
Send your current location
This sends a static pin showing where your phone is at that moment. The pin won’t update if you move.
It’s useful for sharing places like a shop, office, or collection point; a fixed meeting place; a particular entrance to a building; a delivery address; or a vehicle’s current parking position.
Share your live location
Live location shows your device’s changing position on a map for a limited period. You can share it for 15 minutes, one hour, or eight hours.
If you move while sharing and your phone has an internet connection, the map updates automatically. You can also add a comment before sending it.
Live location is particularly useful when someone needs to follow your progress or estimate when you’ll arrive, such as tracking a delivery. WhatsApp confirms that live location is end-to-end encrypted, so only the people in the selected chat should be able to see it.
Does WhatsApp Business allow live location sharing?
Yes. WhatsApp Business users can send a current location or share a live location through a customer or group chat.
You can also add an address to your Business Profile, with each option serving a different purpose:
- Use your Business Profile address to show customers where your premises are based.
- Send your current location to mark a fixed spot, such as a meeting point, collection area or site entrance.
- Share your live location when you’re moving and want the recipient to follow your progress in real time.
How to share your location on WhatsApp
Before starting, make sure WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business has permission to access your device’s location. The precise labels may differ slightly depending on your phone and app version.
How to share your location on Android
- Open the individual or group chat.
- Tap the paperclip or Attach icon.
- Select Location.
- Choose Send your current location for a fixed pin or Share live location for real-time tracking.
- If sharing live, select 15 minutes, one hour or eight hours.
- Add a comment if needed.
- Tap Send.
How to share your location on iPhone
- Open the individual or group chat.
- Tap the + icon.
- Select Location.
- Choose a current location or Share Live Location.
- Select the duration if sharing live.
- Add a comment if needed.
- Tap Send.
WhatsApp provides additional instructions in its official live location guide.
YBN Recommends: Combine Quick Replies with location pins to build a seamless arrival routine. Save a Quick Reply shortcut (like /onmyway) that contains your standard arrival message and pair it with a 15-minute live location share just as you set off. This sets realistic customer expectations, reduces inbound calls while you’re driving, and automatically prompts you to tap “Stop sharing” the moment you pull up to the job site.
How to stop sharing your live location
You can stop sharing your live location at any time, and you don’t have to wait for the selected time to expire.
Open the chat containing the live location, tap Stop sharing, then confirm. The recipient may still see your last updated position as a static image, but it should no longer move with you.
You can also review active live locations through WhatsApp’s privacy settings. This is useful if you can’t remember which chats you’ve shared them in.
For business use, make stopping the share part of your arrival routine. Once the customer, colleague or contractor has found you, there’s usually no reason to keep broadcasting your position.
When should a business use a fixed pin or live location?
The right choice depends on whether the location is moving. For example:
- If you’re showing a customer where your shop is or sharing a permanent office address, use the Business Profile address.
- If you’re marking a collection point or guiding a contractor to a site entrance, use the current location.
- If you’re showing a client that you’re en route or allowing a customer to track a delivery driver, use live location.
A fixed pin generally uses less ongoing battery and data because it’s only sent once. Live location relies on GPS and an internet connection to keep updating, so use it only for as long as necessary.
“Accurate location sharing turns vague arrival estimates into exact entry points, instantly cutting out the frustration of missing deliveries or lost contractors.” – Mat Gornall, YourBusinessNumber Head of Operations
How to add your address to your WhatsApp Business Profile
If customers regularly visit your shop, salon, office or workshop, add the permanent location to your Business Profile.
- Open WhatsApp Business.
- Go to Settings or Business tools.
- Select Business Profile.
- Tap the business address field.
- Enter your address.
- Check the location on the map and adjust it if needed.
- Save your changes.
Customers can view details such as your business name, category, opening hours and address from your profile. WhatsApp also lets businesses set their address and map location.
Tip: Keep this information up to date. An incorrect map pin can send customers to the wrong entrance, building or postcode even when the written address appears correct.
How to share locations safely for business
Use these best practice guidelines to make sure you’re sharing your location safely and appropriately for your business.
Only share with people who need it
Send a live location only to an active customer, colleague, supplier or business partner who genuinely needs to follow your journey.
Before sharing in a group, check who belongs to it. Remember that every current participant may be able to see your location.
Limit the sharing time
Choose the shortest practical period you need to share; if you expect to arrive in ten minutes, a 15-minute share is normally more appropriate than eight hours.
Stop sharing when you arrive
Although you can simply wait for the timer to run out, it’s best practice to stop sharing once you reach the customer or job site. Simply open the chat and stop the location manually.
Avoid revealing unnecessary patterns
Regularly sharing a route can reveal where you start your working day, where equipment is stored or when premises are empty. Consider meeting the customer’s immediate need without sharing more detail than necessary.
Keep your phone charged
GPS, mobile data and screen use can drain the battery, particularly on a long journey, so connect the phone to a safe in-vehicle charger if live location is essential.
Helping customers see when a tradesperson is en route
For a UK tradesperson, live location can reduce “Where are you?” calls and make arrival times feel more transparent.
If the postcode covers several buildings or the property is difficult to find, the customer can send a fixed pin marking the correct entrance. When you’re en route, you can share your live location for 15 minutes or one hour so they can follow your progress.
A simple message could say:
“Hi, I’m on my way now and should be with you shortly. I’ve shared my live location below so you can see my progress.”
Only send it to the customer whose job you’re travelling to. Once you arrive on-site, tap “Stop sharing” immediately. This protects your privacy and prevents the customer from following your movements after the appointment.
Get started with WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business can help you manage enquiries, arrival updates, bookings and customer support from one dedicated account.
You can install WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business on the same phone, but each account needs its own number. WhatsApp Messenger also supports multiple accounts on compatible iOS and Android devices, with a separate number required for each one.
YourBusinessNumber makes it easy to get a dedicated virtual number or business eSIM to use with WhatsApp Business without buying another handset. This helps you keep customer conversations separate, protect your personal number and create clearer boundaries between work and home.
Ready to separate your personal and business messages? Get a dedicated virtual number for WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business today.
Author:
George Lineker
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