How to share your location using BuddyBeacon
Let your family and friends know where you are and allow them to follow your adventures in real time. In case of an emergency, BuddyBeacon can be used to find your exact location quickly.
How do I share my location using BuddyBeacon?
To activate your BuddyBeacon, make sure you are viewing the map from within the app (Map, Plan or Track), tap the three-dots icon from the bottom right of the screen and select “BuddyBeacon”, this will open the BuddyBeacon configuration menu. Alternatively, you can activate BuddyBeacon by tapping your location marker on the map and then selecting “Send My Beacon”, from here you have the option to enable and configure sharing preferences. These settings can also be adjusted when BuddyBeacon is deactivated.
Configuration: To share your location, enable 'Share my location' at the top of the configuration menu screen. Use 'Duration' to specify how long you want to share the location and 'People' to add the people who are allowed to follow you via BuddyBeacon or create a share link. Everyone who has an Outdooractive account and receives the share link as well as everyone who has an Outdooractive account and was added by you can follow you as long as your "BuddyBeacon" is activated. You can delete people from the list or revoke the share link at any time.
In the map view of the app, tap the icon with the three dots above the map layer selection, then tap BuddyBeacon. Choose whether you want to share your entire route or just your current location, and when your location should be shared. You have the following options for sending a BuddyBeacon:
- For a set period of time (e.g., 3 hours)
- While recording a track
- Continuously—meaning until you manually stop sharing
You can invite other community members to follow your BuddyBeacon or create a link to share with non-members using the Share Feature. Anyone with the link can see your location as long as BuddyBeacon is active or until you revoke the link. Non-members will need to register to view your BuddyBeacon. Tap “Share My Location” to show your chosen contacts where you are.
You can also activate this feature by tapping your location marker on the map and selecting BuddyBeacon from the display. At the top of the map, you’ll see the last time your location was shared. Tap “Stop Sharing Location” to end the broadcast.
Important: Your mobile device must be connected to the internet to share your BuddyBeacon location. If the connection is lost while sharing, any missed GPS locations will be sent once you’re back online.
Good to know
- When you select a friend's BuddyBeacon, you can create a point at their location, route to their location or share your location with that friend.
- The Buddy watch list gives you an overview of everyone who allows you to track their location. Additionally, you can see information like battery level, average speed, distance to you, and distance travelled.
- Press and hold a contact (Android) or swipe a contact to the left (iOS) to pause tracking or to remove that contact from your Buddy watch list. Your friends can also stop or pause tracking.
