AirDroid Location Tracker
Locate your child's real-time position even if they disabled Instagram Map.
Instagram Map: What Is It & How to Turn It Off
Did you open Instagram recently and notice a map section at the top of your DM chat list? You're not alone! On August 6th, Meta rolled out the map alongside other features to Instagram. So, what is the Instagram Map all about? Will it reveal your location privacy?
In this blog, we'll break down everything you need to know about the Instagram Map and guide you on how to turn off location on Instagram.
Highlights:
- Instagram Map is a feature that allows users to share live locations with their friends.
- To access Instagram Map, just open Instagram DM and click the Map icon at the top.
- The feature is disabled by default for users' privacy.
- If you need to turn off location on Instagram Map, go to "Instagram DM > Map > Settings," then choose "No one."
What Is Instagram Map? Everything You Should Know
The Instagram map is a new feature that allows friends to connect easily by sharing their live location with each other.
With the map, you'll have an idea of your friend's live location. The map also doubles as a discovery tool, as it allows you to view your friend's posts, reels, and stories with a location tag on them.
How Does Instagram Map Work?
Similar to Snap Map, you have to enable the location sharing feature in Instagram Map and turn on the location service on your device. Only this, Instagram can determine your location accurately.
Instagram Map vs Snap Map
| Instagram Map | Snap Map | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | August 2025 | July 2017 |
| Live Location |  | |
| Where It Appears | At the top of the DM chat list | Separate tab in Snapchat |
| Extra Features | None | Footsteps; Favorite, visited, and popular places |
Is Instagram Map On by default?
No, Instagram Map is off by default. You'll have to manually enable the feature before it starts sharing your location with your friends. However, if you don't opt for the service, you can still see the location of people who choose to share their location with you.
Who Can See My Location on Instagram Map?
Instagram Map gives you full control over who can see your location. Typically, you can choose to make your location visible to:
- Followers you follow back
- Close friends
- Selected friends
- No one
Why Don't I See the Map Feature?
If you're not seeing the new map feature, it could be due to any of the following reasons:
- Regional Restrictions: Unfortunately, the map is yet to be rolled out worldwide. As of now, it is only available in the US and some parts of Canada.
- Account-based Testing: Most of the time, Meta doesn't release new features to everyone at once. They test in certain regions and selected accounts first, to see how people react.
- Outdated Instagram App: If you haven't updated your Instagram app, the map will be missing on your phone. You'll need to update it to see the feature.
How to Share Location on Instagram with Its Map
Well, as your location will only be shared if you decide to share it on Instagram Map. Now, let's look at how to use Instagram Map to share your location.
- Step 1.Open the Instagram app and go to your DM.
- Step 2.Tap the "Map" icon on top of your chat list.
- Step 3.Click the "gear" icon at the top right to choose who you want to share your location with.
Once you've done that, the gear icon will show a blue arrow, which means you're now sharing your location with someone on Instagram.
Tips:
- If there is an orange triangle on the gear icon, that means you need to enable location service permission on your device. If it shows a red dot, it means you aren't sharing your location at all.
- For families, AirDroid Family Locator can help you see your child's location in real-time. The app also lets you know where your child has been for 30 days, and alerts you immediately when your child leaves a dedicated boundary.
How to Turn off Location on Instagram Map
If you're using Instagram and your location is always active, you have to be concerned about your location privacy. Therefore, it is advisable to turn off location on Instagram after use.
So, how do you turn off your location on Instagram Map? It is simple.
Option 1. Control Location Visibility on Instagram Map
You can turn off your location on Instagram map settings by choosing "no one" for sharing your location:
- Step 1.Open Instagram and go to your DM.
- Step 2.Click on the "Map" icon at the top.
- Step 3.Tap the "gear" icon to open the map settings.
- Step 4.Then, select "No One." And your location will be invisible.
Option 2. Disable Location Services for Instagram
You can also disable location services for Instagram on your device to turn off your location. When this happens, your location will remain invisible on any of your friends' maps or chats. To do this:
- Step 1.Navigate to Instagram Settings from your profile tab.
- Step 2.Scroll down to select "Device permissions."
- Step 3.Tap on "Location Services > Update device settings."
- Step 4.When it prompts to open device settings, approve it.
- Step 5.Then, select "Deny" or "Never" to prevent Instagram from accessing your location.
You Can Also Send Live Location on Instagram in Chats!
If you don't want to share your location all the time for privacy, Instagram enables you to share your location for only one hour! That is to share your location via chat - just like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
Key Points:
- Just like Instagram maps, this in-chat live location is also available in some specific countries.
- Live location can only be shared for 1 hour.
- Each time you share your location, the other party in that chat will get a notification that you're sharing your location.
- You have to turn on location access for this feature to work.
So, how to share live location in an Instagram chat?
- Step 1.Go to your Instagram DM.
- Step 2.Open the conversation you want to share your location with.
- Step 3.Click the "+" icon within the chat box.
- Step 4.Tap "Location."
- Step 5.Click on "Share your location" to finish the process.
After that, you can stop sharing your location anytime you like. Just tap the location card in the chat, and select "Stop sharing location."
In Short: When Instagram Map Is Helpful?
Instagram maps can be useful in numerous scenarios, for instance:
- If you're meeting up with friends, you can quickly find them by checking their real-time locations and movements on the map.
- If your child is out without telling you her whereabouts, you can quickly look at her current location on the map to ensure she's safe.
- When your friends create a tag location in a story or post, you can directly view it through the Instagram map. So you can explore new places with greater ease.
Though the new Instagram Map feature is very useful, some precautionary measures should be taken when using it. Always share your live location with your trusted friends and turn off location sharing after use. This will help protect your privacy and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cyberstalking.
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