WhatsApp tests a new feature allowing users to request someone’s location

12:30

By: Azzat Manal

WhatsApp tests a new feature allowing users to request someone’s location

WhatsApp is testing a new feature designed to make location sharing easier by allowing users to request another person's location directly within a conversation. The experimental tool aims to simplify a common situation in which one person asks another where they are but the recipient struggles to find the appropriate location-sharing option.

According to a report by Android Authority, the feature introduces a dedicated way to send a location request through the messaging platform. Instead of explaining how to access the location-sharing menu, users could send a request that the recipient can tap to respond within the chat.

The proposed feature includes a button labelled “Share location” in the location-sharing interface. When selected, it generates a digital card in the conversation marked “Location Request”. The recipient can then interact with the card to share their location, making the process more direct and potentially reducing the number of steps required.

The report notes that the feature's exact behaviour has not yet been fully confirmed. Initial testing did not establish all the available options, although it is expected that recipients may be able to choose between sharing their current position as a single point on a map and sharing their live location, which updates over a period of time.

If implemented as described, the feature could make coordinating meetings, arranging pickups and finding friends or family members more convenient. Location sharing is already available on WhatsApp, but a dedicated request mechanism could make it easier for people who are unfamiliar with the existing settings or have difficulty locating the relevant menu.

The experimental tool also raises questions about privacy and user control. A request to share a location does not necessarily mean that the recipient must disclose it. The feature's final design and permissions will determine how clearly users can understand the request and choose what information, if any, they want to share.

The concept resembles functionality available in Apple's iMessage, where users can exchange location information through their conversations. Similar tools across messaging platforms reflect a broader effort to integrate practical coordination features into everyday communication while keeping interactions within a single app.

WhatsApp has not yet confirmed the feature's general availability. As with other experimental updates, its design may change during development, and it could be introduced gradually or remain limited to selected testers before a wider release.