How does your location get updated in IMessages? Do you have to open IMessages for the location to update or simply unlock your phone?

How does your location get updated in IMessages? Do you have to open IMessages for the location to update or simply unlock your phone?

iPhone 7, 12

Posted on Feb 20, 2019 7:40 AM

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5 replies

Feb 20, 2019 7:45 AM in response to jscotty23

How would you even know if the location was updated in iMessage without launching the app? You have to be using iMessage in order to see someone’s location by tapping on the info button.


If you mean your own location, the other person would still have to launch iMessage in order to see your location. Unlocking your phone has no bearing on anything.


Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are actually asking. If so, please explain further.

Feb 20, 2019 10:10 AM in response to Limnos

So I tested this theory and it doesn't hold true.


A friend and I waited over an hour and still it showed my location as "Active -- Now"


I even exited out of the app completely, and locked my phone and it still showed the same for my friend.


Yet when I look at the location of my friend it says "Active -- 47 minutes ago"


Still very confused.

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How does your location get updated in IMessages? Do you have to open IMessages for the location to update or simply unlock your phone?

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