These days, when meeting friends, you don't have to worry if they got lost or hurt -- a quick call lets you check in on their status. But if that's not convenient enough for you, Google Maps has a new feature that lets you track a friend's location.

This is extremely useful when you're expecting someone and they're late. Just use their shared location to see if they're held up in traffic.

On Google Maps for Android and iOS, you can activate sharing by sliding out the left sidebar and tapping Share Location. Agree to the location policy, then you can choose how long to share. Use the buttons on the top choice to choose anywhere from 15 minutes up to 3 days, or the bottom option of Until your turn this off to share indefinitely.

Choosing a set amount of time lets you share your location with a link. You can send this out via any app, like SMS, email, or a messenger. Those whom you share with can view your location on the Android, iOS, or web versions of Google Maps. If you choose to share indefinitely, you can only show your location to a Google contact. This is useful for sharing your location with your spouse or someone whom you might need to check on at any time.

You can also share your the location during a trip, which lets others see your ETA. During navigation, tap the More arrow and choose Share trip. Your friend can then can see your expected arrival time and can even follow along with you. And once you arrive, sharing automatically shuts off.

If you're not sure which maps app to use, check out our comparison of Waze and Google Maps. Or consider using two maps apps in tandem!

Will sharing your location prove useful for you? Let us know if this is a feature you've wanted by leaving a comment!

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