How to share your ETA with Apple Maps

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting for sharing your ETA with Apple Maps.

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

Sharing your ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) with Apple Maps can be done easily through the app itself or via Siri. This feature allows you to keep your friends and family informed about your travel progress in real-time.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before you start sharing your ETA with Apple Maps, ensure you have the following:
  • •iPhone or iPad running iOS 14 or later.
  • •Apple Maps app installed (pre-installed on iOS devices).
  • •Location Services enabled for Apple Maps.
  • •Contacts saved in your device for easy sharing.

Method 1: Sharing ETA via Apple Maps

This method is the most straightforward way to share your ETA with others while navigating.
  • •Step 1: Open the Apple Maps app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • •Step 2: Enter your destination in the search bar and tap 'Directions'.
  • •Step 3: Choose your preferred mode of transport (Driving, Walking, Transit).
  • •Step 4: Tap 'Go' to start navigation. Once navigation begins, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the route card.
  • •Step 5: Tap on 'Share ETA'.
  • •Step 6: Select the contact(s) you want to share your ETA with from your contacts list or via messaging apps.
  • •Step 7: Confirm by tapping 'Send'.
  • •Step 8: To verify it worked, check your messages or the contact's response confirming they received your ETA.
  • •Step 9: If it doesn't work, ensure your device has a stable internet connection and that location services are enabled.

For iOS 15 and later

In iOS 15, Apple Maps has improved sharing options.
  • •Step 1: Follow the same steps as above.
  • •Step 2: You can also use the new 'Share' button directly from the route card for quicker access.

For iOS 14

In iOS 14, the process is similar but may lack some of the enhanced features.
  • •Step 1: Follow the same steps as above.
  • •Step 2: Ensure you are using the latest version of iOS 14 for optimal performance.

Method 2: Sharing ETA via Siri

Using Siri is a hands-free method to share your ETA with contacts.
  • •Step 1: Activate Siri by saying 'Hey Siri' or pressing and holding the side button.
  • •Step 2: Say 'Share my ETA to [Contact Name]'.
  • •Step 3: Siri will automatically calculate your ETA and send it to the specified contact.
  • •Step 4: To verify it worked, ask the contact if they received the message.
  • •Step 5: If it doesn't work, ensure Siri is enabled in Settings > Siri & Search.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while sharing your ETA, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Unable to share ETA' - Solution: Check your internet connection and ensure Apple Maps has permissions to access your location.
  • •Issue: 'Contact not found' - Fix: Ensure the contact is saved in your address book and that you are using the correct name.
  • •Problem: 'ETA not updating' - Workaround: Restart the Apple Maps app or your device to refresh the location services.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

Enhance your experience with these power user tips:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: N/A - Apple Maps does not support keyboard shortcuts on iOS.
  • •Command line: N/A - Apple Maps does not have command line functionality.
  • •Hidden feature: Use 'Share My Location' in the Messages app to keep contacts updated on your location throughout your journey.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

The best approach to share your ETA is to use the Apple Maps app directly while navigating, as it provides real-time updates and is user-friendly.