No, Snapchat’s live location feature does not stay on all the time. Users have full control over when their location is shared through Snapchat’s live location tool. There are a few key things to know about how Snapchat’s live location feature works:
How to turn on live location
To activate live location in Snapchat, users need to intentionally turn the feature on. It doesn’t automatically start sharing your location. Here are the steps to turn on live location sharing on Snapchat:
- Open a chat with a friend or group.
- Tap the camera icon in the top right corner.
- Select the location pin icon on the bottom left (it looks like a map pin).
- Choose how long you want to share your live location – either 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours.
- Confirm by tapping “Share Live Location.”
Once you share your live location, your friend(s) in that chat will be able to see your real-time location on a map for the time period you selected. So the feature is definitely not “always on” unless you choose to share it for the maximum of 8 hours.
How long live location stays on
Snapchat gives users control over how long they share their live location. As mentioned above, you can choose to share your live location for:
- 15 minutes
- 1 hour
- 8 hours (the maximum)
Once the time limit you select is reached, the live location sharing automatically ends. Your friends will no longer be able to see your real-time location.
If you want to stop sharing your location sooner, you can always manually end the live location by returning to the chat and tapping “Stop Sharing Live Location.”
Is there a way to have live location always on?
There is no built-in way to have Snapchat live location permanently on. The maximum time you can share live location is 8 hours. After the 8 hours is up, it will automatically stop broadcasting your location.
The only way to mimic location always being “on” would be to repeatedly turn on 8 hour sharing sessions back-to-back-to-back. But it would require manually starting a new 8 hour live location session each time. There is no option to have it be indefinite or last longer than 8 hours at once.
When friends can see your location
Friends and contacts on Snapchat can only see your live location when:
- You intentionally share your live location in a specific chat.
- The time limit you set for live location sharing is active.
In other words, your location is not constantly visible to anyone. Friends have to be in a chat where you’ve activated live location AND within the time frame you select.
Reasons for time limits
Snapchat has set time limits on the live location feature for user privacy and safety. Here are some of the reasons Snapchat doesn’t allow indefinite or “always on” location sharing:
- Prevents unwanted location tracking without your knowledge or consent.
- Gives users more control over when their location is visible.
- Encourages users to be more thoughtful about when they share locations.
- Allows users to share location temporarily for meetups without long-term visibility.
- Reduces privacy risks and potential safety issues of indefinite location sharing.
Is location visible when Snapchat is closed?
No, your live location stops being shared as soon as you close the Snapchat app – even if you still have time left on the live location timer.
Your real-time location is only visible to friends while the Snapchat app is open in the foreground of your device. As soon as you close Snapchat, your live location stops updating, and friends can no longer see your location.
Reopening Snapchat will resume live location sharing for any remaining time if you initially chose the 1 hour or 8 hour options. But if you have Snapchat closed, friends cannot see your location.
Changing privacy settings
In addition to the time limits for live location sharing, Snapchat has privacy settings to control who can view your location.
To change who can see your location:
- Go to your profile and tap the Settings (gear) icon.
- Tap “See My Location” under the “Who Can…” section.
- Select either “My Friends” or “Only Me.”
Here’s what each option means:
- My Friends – Your friends on Snapchat can see your location when you choose to share live location.
- Only Me – No one else on Snapchat can view your live location.
So in addition to the temporary nature of live location sharing, Snapchat gives you control through the privacy settings over who can see your location at all.
Information needed to use live location
To use Snapchat’s live location feature, you need:
- A device with cellular data or WiFi connection (to update your location).
- Location services enabled on your device.
- Snapchat app version 11.34 or higher.
- To select a share time limit – 15 min, 1 hour, or 8 hours.
- Location shared with friends or group chat.
Without connectivity, you won’t be able to share an up-to-date live location. And without location services enabled, Snapchat won’t have access to your real-time location to share.
Conclusion
In summary, Snapchat’s live location sharing has important safeguards and limits in place to protect user privacy:
- Not automatically “always on.” Must be manually activated.
- Time limits of 15 min, 1 hour, or 8 hours maximum.
- Ends as soon as app is closed or time expires.
- Adjustable in privacy settings.
- Only visible to friends you choose to share with.
So while the live location feature allows real-time sharing of your location temporarily, it does not constantly broadcast your location indefinitely without your knowledge or control.
| Live Location Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Activation | Must manually turn on, not automatic |
| Length | 15 min, 1 hour, or 8 hours max |
| Visibility | Only to friends in specific chats |
| Control | Can stop sharing or change privacy settings anytime |
In conclusion, while Snapchat’s live location sharing provides real-time updates to your location, it comes with important time limitations and privacy controls that prevent “always on” indefinite location sharing without a user’s consent.
The feature is designed to enhance connecting with friends in a time-limited and controlled manner, not for constant location tracking. Users ultimately have the final say in when, with whom, and for how long they share their live locations.
How Snapchat’s Map Feature is Different from Live Location
It’s important to note the difference between Snapchat’s Live Location sharing and Map feature. While related, they give different location visibility:
- Live Location – Real-time view of your location for chosen time. Stops if app closed.
- Map – General location that updates when Snapchat is open. Does not pinpoint real-time movements.
With Snapchat Map, friends can see your general location on the map – denoted by your Bitmoji avatar. But it does not continuously track precise movements like live location sharing. The Map shows where users typically are when opening Snapchat – like at home or work.
Key Differences
| Feature | Live Location | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time view | Yes | No |
| Select audience | Yes | No |
| Precise location | Yes | No |
| Temporary | Yes | No |
So Snapchat’s Map does not provide a live, constantly updating view of your location. It just shares a general area when the app is open – not a precise pinpointed position.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Snapchat Live Location must be manually turned on and lasts for a limited time selected by the user.
- Snap Map shares a general location area when the app is open, not an exact live view.
- Neither Live Location nor Map constantly shares user locations without control.
- Snapchat provides settings to limit visibility and use of location features.
So while Snapchat offers real-time location sharing capabilities, they are temporary and adjustable based on user preferences. Snapchat location services overall emphasize user control over when, how, and with whom your location is shared.