Google Messages to Integrate Location Sharing

AI

📝 Key Points of This Article

• The “Google Messages” app for Android is expected to integrate a “Location Sharing” feature, allowing users to share their real-time location information.
• An analysis of the app files for the Google Messages for Android update (messages.android_20260217_00_RC00) confirmed that code has been added to integrate “Location Sharing” as a Messaging Extension.
• In the future, users will be able to start “Location Sharing” directly from within the “Google Messages” app and share it seamlessly as a message.

It appears that a “Location Sharing” feature, which allows users to share their real-time location information, will be integrated into the “Google Messages” app for Android.

Based on an analysis of the app files from the Google Messages for Android update (messages.android_20260217_00_RC00) released on Monday, February 23, 2026, it has been confirmed that code has been added to integrate “Location Sharing” as a Messaging Extension.

<receiver
            android:name="com.google.android.apps.adm.locationsharing.messagingextension.account.cleanup.AccountRemovedReceiver"
            android:exported="true">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.accounts.action.ACCOUNT_REMOVED"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </receiver>
        <provider
            android:name="com.google.android.apps.adm.locationsharing.messagingextension.bubbles.BubblesFileProvider"
            android:exported="false"
            android:authorities="com.google.android.apps.messaging:locationsharing.messagingextension.bubbles"
            android:grantUriPermissions="true">
            <meta-data
                android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
                android:resource="@xml/bubbles_provider_path"/>
        </provider>
        <activity
            android:theme="@style/Theme.LocationSharingExtension.Demo"
            android:name="com.google.android.apps.adm.locationsharing.messagingextension.demo.MapSnapshotActivity"
            android:exported="true"
            android:launchMode="singleTask"/>
        <service
            android:name="com.google.android.apps.adm.locationsharing.messagingextension.LocationSharingMessagingExtensionService"
            android:enabled="true"
            android:exported="true">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="com.google.android.apps.messaging.COMPOSE"/>
                <data
                    android:scheme="messaging-extension"
                    android:host="activate"
                    android:path="/locationsharing"/>
            </intent-filter>
            <meta-data
                android:name="MESSAGES_EXTENSION_NAME"
                android:value="Location Sharing"/>
            <meta-data
                android:name="MESSAGES_EXTENSION_ID"
                android:value="998d209c-df8c-4cfe-9a6b-105e2f1607e4"/>
            <meta-data
                android:name="MESSAGES_EXTENSION_ICON"
                android:resource="@drawable/location_sharing_extension_icon"/>
            <meta-data
                android:name="MESSAGES_EXTENSION_COMPOSITION_DEFAULT_PRESENTATION_STYLE"
                android:value="Compact"/>
            <meta-data
                android:name="MESSAGES_EXTENSION_INTERACTION_DEFAULT_PRESENTATION_STYLE"
                android:value="Expanded"/>
        </service>
        <receiver
            android:name="com.google.android.apps.adm.locationsharing.messagingextension.locationsharingapi.ShareStateChangeBroadcastReceiver"
            android:permission="com.google.android.gms.locationsharingreporter.periodic.STATUS_UPDATE"
            android:exported="true">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="com.google.android.gms.locationsharingreporter.LOCATION_SHARE_SHARE_STATE_CHANGED_ACTION"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </receiver>
        <activity
            android:theme="@style/Theme.MessagingExtension.Transparent"
            android:name="com.google.android.apps.adm.locationsharing.messagingextension.permission.LocationRuntimePermissionRequestActivity"
            android:exported="false"/>

<string name="ack_centralized_location_sharing_notice_error_message">Error updating Location Sharing settings.</string>
    <string name="centralized_location_sharing_notice_button_text">I accept</string>
    <string name="centralized_location_sharing_notice_cancel_button_text">Not now</string>
    <string name="centralized_location_sharing_notice_message">Google Location Sharing allows you to share your location with others in Google apps, such as %1$s and Google Maps.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;When you share your location&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Your device will periodically collect your real-time location and make it available to people you’re sharing with.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;To stop sharing from this device&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; You can turn off Google Location Sharing for this device in Settings at any time. This will stop sharing your location for all Google apps, like %1$s and Google Maps.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;Keep in mind&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; The following won't stop Location Sharing from this device:&lt;br/&gt;   • Opening Google Maps in Incognito mode&lt;br/&gt;   • Turning off location permissions for Google apps</string>
    <string name="centralized_location_sharing_notice_no_shares_message">You can manage who you share your location with in Google apps, like %1$s and Google Maps.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;When you share your location&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Your device will periodically collect your real-time location and make it available to people you’re sharing with even when the app is not in use.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;To stop sharing from this device&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; You can turn off Google Location Sharing for this device in Settings at any time. This will stop sharing your location for all Google apps, like %1$s and Google Maps.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;Keep in mind&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; The following won't stop Location Sharing from this device:&lt;br/&gt;   • Opening Google Maps in Incognito mode&lt;br/&gt;   • Turning off location permissions for Google apps</string>
    <string name="centralized_location_sharing_notice_title">Updates to Google Location Sharing</string>
    <string name="copy_link_content_description">Copy location share link</string>
    <string name="custom_duration">Custom duration</string>
    <string name="device_ineligible_error_message">Location sharing not available</string>
    <string name="device_location_is_off_error_title">Device location is off</string>
    <string name="dropdown_custom_duration_with_target_time">Custom: %1$s</string>
    <string name="enable_centralized_location_sharing_call_to_action">View</string>
    <string name="enable_centralized_location_sharing_card_title">Updates to Google Location Sharing</string>
    <string name="enable_location_recommendation_card_subtitle">See and share location of this device</string>
    <string name="enable_location_recommendation_card_title">Turn on device location</string>
    <string name="enable_location_sharing_card_title">Location Sharing is off</string>
    <string name="ended_share_bubble_caption">Location share ended</string>
    <string name="distance_units_entry_value_default">default</string>
    <string name="distance_units_entry_value_metric">metric</string>
    <string name="distance_units_entry_value_uk">uk</string>
    <string name="distance_units_entry_value_us">us</string>

While it was previously possible to start “Location Sharing” from the “Google Maps” app and share it via social media or the “Google Messages” app, it now appears that users will be able to initiate “Location Sharing” directly from within the “Google Messages” app and share it as a message.

“Google Messages” App Link