The Snap Map feature lets you share your live locations with your friends through the app. However, Snapchat has location issues, such as the map not updating or showing a completely different location instead. This article aims to answer these often-asked questions and offer a fast, practical scope for correcting problems in Snapchat locations.
How does the Snapchat map work?
The live location option is enabled via Snap Map. When you opt-in to share your location with a friend on Snap Map, your friend will be able to view your movements once you open the Snapchat app. You can select who can see your location details and also set the time duration for this, such as a 15-minute or one hour. You’re always the one in charge and can discontinue sharing whenever you feel like it.
GPS tracking: Snapchat live location relies on your phone’s GPS. So, when you switch on location services from settings and allow Snapchat to use it, the Snap Map will constantly track your location.
Location sending: It is worth noting that your location is constantly sent to the Snapchat servers, and from there, it will be shown to all of your friend’s Snapchats ( with whom you choose to share your location ).
AR & Bitmoji integration: So, when you move, your Bitmoji on Snapmap also moves – making it all look like magic.
No doubt! Snap Map offers very useful features, including:
- Location-related stories
- Searching events and locations via the Explore tab
- Discovering hot spots utilizing a heat map
- Modifying my Location and Ghost Mode to change the exposure
- Asking friends to share their real-time locations on the map
When does Snapchat update your location?
Your Snapchat will update your live location only when you open the app and allow it to access your geographical location. When you exit Snapchat, the last location that you had remains on the map for a few hours. After that, your position is removed from the map automatically as long as you do not log back into the app.
Why is the location on Snapchat’s Snap Map not updating?
If your Snapchat’s Snap Map location is not updating, then certain potentially basic factors may help to explain the situation.
- Internet connection issues: If your internet connectivity is low, then there might be a chance that the app will not fetch the new location. Changing the connection to another network might work.
- Outdated app version: If you use an older version, there may be Snap Map problems like location changes. Consistently updating Snapchat prevents such bugs from occurring.
- Server errors: On occasions when Snapchat is suffering from server problems, you are typically frozen at the location until the server concerns are resolved from Snapchat’s end.
- Permission issues: When your location permissions are switched off or are limited, Snapchat will not be able to retrieve your current location in real-time.
- Disabled GPS or location services: To provide accurate location data for Snap Map, the application must have the user’s device GPS online. If location services on the phone or the operating system are turned off for some reason, Snapchat will fail to modify your location.
- Ghost Mode enabled: Snapchat has the Ghost Mode if you do not want other people to see your location. When enabled, Ghost Mode will not allow you to display your real-time position. Disabling Ghost Mode will return the location to updating in real-time again.
Can Snapchat live location be wrong?
Yes, there are times when a Snapchat live location is inaccurate or not precise enough. Some of them include the following:
- Poor GPS Signal
- Outdated Snapchat App
- Server Delays on Snapchat’s End
- Incorrect Device Location Settings
- Inconsistent or Weak Internet Connection
How to fix Snap Map not working or showing the wrong location?
If your Snap Map is not working or showing an incorrect location, try these seven effective methods to fix your Snapchat location issues:
Method 1: Check the Internet connection
Make sure to check whether you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or have mobile data issues by trying out other applications or visiting websites.
- Try refreshing your Wi-Fi or mobile data by switching it off and then on after some time.
- For Wi-Fi users, switch off the modem and back on again or switch to a different Wi-Fi network.
- Furthermore, attempt to switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and note whether it has any positive effects on your connection.
Method 2: Check phone location service
You can enable phone location services to fix your Snapchat location problems.
For Android: Open your phone “Settings” > Select “Location” and turn it on.
For iPhone: Go to the “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” on your iPhone. Tap “Location Services” and turn it on.
Method 3: Enable Snapchat location permission
Let us inform you that Snapchat has to take permission to ascertain your location. To make sure all permissions are provided, follow these steps:
For Android:
Step 1. Go to the “Settings” > “Apps” > Choose ‘Snapchat’ from the apps list. Check “Permission” and tap “Location.”
Step 2. Now select “Allow only while using the app,” “Allow all time,” or “Ask every time.” By taking this permission, Snap Map will access your location.
For iPhone:
Step 1. Open the iPhone “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” > “Location Services.”
Step 2. Select Snapchat from the app list and choose either “While Using the App” or “Always” to allow Snapchat access to your location.
Method 4: Turn off Ghost Mode
If you want to share your Snapchat live location with friends, turn off Ghost Mode.
Step 1. Open your Snapchat Settings options > Scroll down and choose “See My Location.”
Step 2. Turn off Ghost Mode and select (either My Friends, My Friends Except…, or Only These Friends…) who can access your location.
Method 5: Update or reinstall Snapchat
You can fix Snapchat location problems simply by updating or re-installing the app, which can resolve the app’s bugs, performance issues, and crashes.
- Just go to your app store or Play store, delete Snapchat, and download it again for a better and faster first-open experience.
The fact that Snapchat has not remained the same over time is a huge plus. The platform continually improves existing features and introduces new ones.
Method 6: Clear cache and data
Cache and data clearing can help with glitching that might be expected due to technical issues. Here’s how:
Steps: Open Snapchat Settings > “Account Actions” > “Clear Cache”, and confirm again to clear the cached files.
Method 7: Contact Snapchat support
If the above steps still have not helped, give Snapchat Support a try, as they can offer more help:
Step 1. Open your Snapchat Settings > Supports and Feedback > Help Center.
Step 2. Search a statement related to your issue and then submit your support request.
How to turn off Snapchat location sharing for privacy?
The Snap Map allows users to visualize each other’s locations on Snapchat. While this can be fun, there are important issues related to privacy and safety involved. To make your experience more secure on Snapchat, It is recommended that you hide the location from other Snapchatters by enabling Ghost Mode since you can’t disable this feature altogether once you’ve set up Snap Map for the first time. You can also disable Snapchat location permission from the phone settings.
Bonus tool for tracking location and monitoring kids’ Snapchat
If you are relying on Snapchat to view your kid’s location, then it’s hopeless because Snapchat’s tech is not very reliable, and your kids can switch it off at any time. Don’t worry; whether they are going to school, on a field trip, at the market, at the park, or a friend’s house, you can track your kid’s live location with the FlashGet Kids parental control app.
This app will allow you to trace your kid’s location at any place and time. The best thing is, they won’t even know. Besides that, you can set Geo-fences around school or home, so whenever they enter or leave that area, you will get an instant message. Above all, all of this works over the Internet so that you can be connected with your kids from anywhere in the world.
FlashGet Kids parental control app offers many other useful features:
- Set screen time limits for healthier digital habits
- Daily phone usage report
- Screen mirroring of child’s device
- Keyword detection for prohibited words on apps like Facebook, Snapchat, and Telegram
- Access kid’s phone cameras & microphones to see & listen to what’s going about
If you want to use the FlashGet Kids app properly, just do the following:
Step 1. On the parent phone, you can get FlashGet Kids Parental Control in the Google Play Store or the App Store.
Step 2. Launch the app and create an account by providing your email and password. Complete the account setup following the screen instructions.
Step 3. After making an account on the parent’s phone, you will get a binding code. Now, pick up your kid’s phone and select to install the kid’s version through a QR code or a link. Open the link on any browser and install the app.
Step 4. Now, read the binding code from the parent’s phone and enter it into the kid’s phone after installation.
Step 5. After connecting, you should grant relevant permissions for smooth usage.
Conclusion
To summarize, if the Snap Map is not updating or is changing the wrong location, consider the adequacy of your GPS signal, Snapchat permissions, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The location of your device also appears to be a crucial factor in these concerns, as ensuring that your system and app are up to date seems to mitigate such concerns.
As for the kids, the Flashget parental control application is an excellent choice for tracking their live location. It operates stealthily and has geofencing and daily route reporting features, which ensures the safety of your kids and makes you worry less.
FAQs
Can you pause your location on Snapchat?
Yes, by enabling Ghost Mode in Snapchat settings, you can hide your location on Snap Map. This prevents others except the user from viewing the location on the app.
Does the snap location turn off when the phone dies?
Yes, when your phone dies, Snapchat will not be able to show your location. Once the phone has been switched back on, your location will still stay hidden until you open the app again.
Is Snapchat a quick ad based on location?
Yes, Snapchat’s Quick Add utilizes the location around you and recommends you add other users in the same vicinity.
Does live location work without being on Snapchat?
No, the Snap Map live location feature can only be used when you are on Snapchat and sharing that live location.
