Do couples share their location indefinitely on iPhone? 26M 25F

In the warm hum of a bustling coffee shop, a 26-year-old man fidgeted with his sleek iPhone 15, its screen glowing with a request that felt like a digital leash. His girlfriend, bubbly and safety-conscious, had urged him to share his location 24/7, a practice she casually maintained with her best friends to stay secure.

To him, a Samsung loyalist until recently, it was a jarring step—another layer of surveillance in a world already brimming with watchful eyes. Was this love’s new norm or an overreach? His unease spilled onto Reddit, where a lively debate erupted, splitting opinions between trust’s embrace and privacy’s defense, revealing the tightrope young couples walk in the age of tech.

‘Do couples share their location indefinitely on iPhone? 26M 25F’

I used to use Samsung. After I got myself a new iPhone 15 my gf said we should share our locations. Because for a few days she had been sharing hers to mine and I didnt. And today she asked me why and kinda hinted at it. So I said okayy and agreed to share it with her also. She also just regularly shares her location with her best friends too for safety i guess.

It just feels weird because ive never done this kinda thing. But its not like im gonna be doing any shady activities or anything. Just I feel o**rwhelmed already with all kinds of surveillance in my life and now theres another.. Do other couples do this or is this out of the norm generally?

Update: Thanks for the lots and lots of comments guys! Really appreciate it. Correct me if im wrong but from what I observe from these is that the girls seem to be way more enthusiastic about this approach, while most of the guys either don’t really care or some straight up don’t really like it. I genuinely wonder why…

Anyways this was interesting and I did decide to share my location 24/7. I think its fine for me. Only problem it would maybe be not fine is if everytime I walk out my house for a beer or groceries or just some air (we live separately but most days together) I am wondering if she would constantly be asking me where ur going or why im going there. But for sure will give it a try and now that I think of it as long as theres mutual trust theres really no reason for it not to work! <3

This man’s reluctance to share his location indefinitely highlights a modern relationship tug-of-war: intimacy versus independence in a tech-driven world. His girlfriend’s request, grounded in safety and transparency, feels natural to her, especially as many women, per Reddit comments, prioritize tracking for security. Yet, his sense of being “overwhelmed” by surveillance resonates with men who value locational privacy.

Dr. John Gottman, a leading relationship expert, emphasizes, “Trust thrives when boundaries are mutually respected, not just when everything is shared”. The girlfriend’s habit aligns with a cultural trend—Pew Research notes 60% of women fear victimization in public, driving safety measures like location sharing. His discomfort, though, signals a need for dialogue.

This reflects a wider phenomenon: technology’s reshaping of relationships. A 2022 study found 45% of young couples share locations for convenience or safety, but 30% cite privacy concerns. He should negotiate clear rules—like no questioning routine outings—and ensure reciprocity.

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Reddit delivered a smorgasbord of takes, from heartwarming tales of garage-door greetings to staunch refusals of digital tracking, all laced with wit.

ThrashingDancer888 − Yes, not in a creepy “I want to know where you are at all times” way but like “how far are you from home I can’t call you cause you’re using your phone gps and I want to make sure dinner is done for you” kind of way. 

RedInAmerica − My fiancé and I share location 24/7 but this is my first relationship that we’ve done this. You get used to it and it can be kinda cute too. She watches me drive home so she knows when to go wait for me in the garage which not gonna lie when the garage door goes up and she waiting there all happy to see me is the absolute best part of my day.

Mr_Gruusahm − 28m. Not only do I constantly share my location status with my wife at all times on Google maps, I share it with my best man.. We're living in a wild world and if something goes wrong I'd like to be found lol.

Wafflehouseofpain − I’ll share my location with my spouse when I’m traveling somewhere, just to give both of us peace of mind. Not a strong preference either way but I don’t see the harm in it if everyone involved is cool with it.

khawesome − 'girls seem to be way more enthusiastic about this approach, while most of the guys either don’t really care or some straight up don’t really like it. I genuinely wonder why…'. Women grow up understanding and knowing they are prey from a very young age. We will always be more enthusiastic about anything that makes us feel safe.

My single best friend regularly texts me descriptions of her outfit before a first date... I suppose so I can help the police if she never comes back? I don't want to think about the why too hard but I know I'm glad she does.. This is the world we women live in and it's completely normal to us.

hen_ical − Is this a younger couples thing? I have been with my husband since before smartphones, and even with them, it has never entered our minds to share our locations with each other. We just tell each other where we'll be and if anything changes.

Potential_Night_6123 − I share it with my boyfriend and family 24/7. I got nothing to hide lol and I’m a photographer who meets strangers in remote locations for a job

cyberchief − I share with my fiance 24/7 because we have zero reason to care about hiding our locations or ensure “privacy” about where we are at any given moment. It’s more about convenience as well. In emergencies (multiple auto accidents) she didn’t need to try to convey her location to me because I could just check.

I never need to tell her I left work nor my ETA to home since I configured it to notify when I leave the office. We don’t need to tell each other when we leave or arrive home since it’s configured with notifications. I concede that some people value their location privacy from their spouse, but in our case we literally don’t care to hide our location.

briannaluvsu − Yes! Me and my girlfriend do share locations, but it does vary for each couple

vegasgirl72 − Husband and I have been together for 28 years. We do not share location. I honestly find it odd. I’ve never needed to know where he is every minute of every day. He tells me where he’s going anyway and I do the same. I have a close friend, she and her husband have AirTags on each other. This would make me bonkers. Every couple or family has their own way, and whatever works for them is perfect. For me personally, I’ll pass.

These online zingers light up the thread, but do they mirror real-life choices? One thing’s certain: location sharing is a love-it-or-hate-it topic.

This man’s journey from Samsung skepticism to iPhone location sharing captures the messy dance of modern romance—juggling safety, trust, and personal space. His leap to try it, rooted in hope for mutual respect, is a brave nod to love’s compromises. Do you share your location with your partner, or does it feel like a digital cage? Spill your thoughts below—let’s keep this conversation buzzing!

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