WhatsApp Tests New Location Request Feature to Make Sharing Easier
Date: October 16, 2026
WhatsApp is testing a new feature that could make it easier for users to ask friends and family to share their location directly through a chat. The proposed “Request location” option is designed to simplify a process that currently requires users to explain how to send a map pin or live location.
The feature was discovered in WhatsApp for Android version 2.26.41.11 during an examination of the app’s test build. According to reports published on October 16, the option was manually activated on a test device, but its full functionality has not yet been confirmed.
How Will WhatsApp’s New Location Request Feature Work?
The new option reportedly appears on the “Send location” screen alongside existing location-sharing tools.
Instead of typing a message asking someone to send their location, users could select “Request location.” WhatsApp would then place a dedicated “Location request” card inside the conversation, making the request easier to identify.
The goal is to reduce confusion and make location sharing more straightforward, particularly when people are arranging meetings, coordinating travel or trying to find one another in an unfamiliar area.
How Is It Different From Live Location Sharing?
WhatsApp already offers options to send a current location or share a live location for a selected period. A current location provides a fixed point on a map, while live location sharing can update a person's position over time.
The proposed request feature works in the opposite direction: rather than immediately sharing their own position, a user asks another person to provide theirs.
However, testing has not yet confirmed exactly what the recipient will see or how the recipient will respond to the request. Some early tests reportedly showed that the request was not supported on another device.
Is the New Feature Available to Everyone?
No general release has been confirmed. The option has been identified in a test version, and its appearance in an experimental build does not mean that it is ready for all WhatsApp users.
WhatsApp may continue testing the feature, change its design or decide not to release it. There is currently no confirmed public launch date.
Users who cannot find the option in their app should not assume that their account has a problem. The feature may simply not be available to them yet.
Privacy Remains Important When Sharing Location
Location information can reveal where a person is, so users should carefully consider who receives it. A location request should not be treated as automatic permission to access another person's whereabouts.
Users should review the sharing options presented by WhatsApp and choose whether to share their current or live location. They should also avoid sharing location details with people they do not trust.
The proposed feature is intended to make requests easier, but the exact privacy controls and recipient experience still need to be confirmed.
What Does This Mean for WhatsApp Users?
If WhatsApp introduces the feature more widely, it could make everyday conversations more convenient by allowing people to request a location without writing additional instructions.
The change may be especially useful when friends arrange meetups, family members coordinate journeys or people need to find a meeting point quickly.
For now, the feature remains under testing, and users will have to wait for further details about its availability and final design.
Conclusion
WhatsApp is exploring a dedicated “Request location” option that could simplify location sharing through chats. Although early testing suggests the feature could be useful, its recipient controls, final functionality and release date remain unconfirmed. Users should wait for an official rollout before expecting to see it in their apps.