Setting Up Family Location Sharing
Whether it's knowing when the kids get home from school, coordinating pickups, or just peace of mind - being able to see where your family members are can be genuinely useful. Here's how to set it up without being creepy about it.
Apple's Find My (For iPhone Families)
If everyone in your family has an iPhone, Find My is the simplest option - it's built in and free.
Set up Family Sharing first. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing. Add family members using their Apple IDs. This also lets you share purchases and subscriptions.
Enable location sharing. Each person goes to Settings > [Their Name] > Find My > Share My Location and turns it on. Then choose who can see their location.
Use the Find My app. Open the Find My app to see everyone on a map. You can also set up notifications for when someone arrives at or leaves a location (like school or work).
Cross-Platform Options
If you have a mix of iPhones and Androids, consider Life360 or Google Maps location sharing. Life360 has a free tier that works well for most families.
Have the Conversation
Location sharing works best when everyone understands why and agrees to it:
- With kids: frame it as safety, not surveillance
- With teens: make it a two-way street - they can see you too
- With partners: it's about convenience and coordination
Location sharing that feels like spying damages trust. Location sharing that everyone opts into brings families closer.
Beyond Location: The Connected Family
Location sharing pairs well with other family tech - Screen Time settings for kids, shared calendars for coordination, and smart home features that welcome people home.
Need Help Setting It Up?
If you've got multiple Apple IDs floating around, confused Family Sharing settings, or just want everything configured properly, we can help get your whole family connected.
Want help with family tech setup? We can get everyone connected and make sure it all works smoothly. Give us a call.