Image: Perez-Simons Media/Getty Images.
When you want to share your location with someone while traveling, you probably have the reflex to use your smartphone. And, let’s be honest, this is the simplest and most effective method today.
But there may come a day when, for one reason or another, you only have your Mac on hand to do that. For example, if you’re out of battery or can’t connect to the internet from your phone. In this case, it may be useful to know that the location sharing option also exists on Mac, and how to activate it.
Be careful though: be careful when sharing your location. While the news is filled with identity theft and phishing attacks, trust is no longer as prevalent in our society. Instead, be wary, and think not only about who you share your location with, but also when and from where you do it. And above all, once you no longer need it, consider deactivating the option. This is an essential action to ensure your safety.
Now that you have these essential security points in mind, here are two ways to share your location from a Mac.
Option 1: Share your location from the Find My app
1. Open Locate
Click on the Launchpad, in the dock, and type “Locate”. Click the icon to open the application.
2. View information about you
Once the Find My app opens, you’ll see a map appear. On the map, there is a dot that says “Me” next to the name of your city. To the right of “me”, click on the i in a circle. A new window opens.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
3. Share your location
Activate Share my location. Your address is then displayed in the box Location. If the address you are at is registered as your home, workplace or school, for example, then you will see the corresponding label appear.
Your location is then shared with your contacts who can easily locate you.
As said before, remember to deactivate the location sharing service once you no longer need it!
Option 2: Share your location from the Messages app
If you want to share your location with a specific person, you can do so directly through iMessage.
1. Open the Messages app
Open the Messages app and chat with the person you want to share your location with. You can also choose New message and select the contact in question.
2. View contact information
In the upper right corner of the Messages window, click the i in a circle. A new window displaying the contact information opens.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
3. Share your location
Select Share my locationthen choose the duration of this sharing (you have the choice between For 1 hour, Until the end of the day Or Indefinitely). Your location information will only be shared with this contact.
It is also possible to share your location by clicking directly on Share my location from the message text box, but the sharing options are not displayed.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
Which method to choose?
The second method is the most secure, because you share your location in a limited way, and only with the person of your choice.
If you want to share your location with several people at the same time without using the first method, create a group chat and use the second method.
Don’t forget the security tips at the beginning of the article: you don’t want a stalker ringing your doorbell.
Source: ZDNet.com