Which iOS app should I use for sharing real-time location with friends during trips or nights out?

Friend Tracker is designed specifically for groups who want to stay informed of each other's whereabouts without constant texting. The app operates as a persistent location-sharing platform where users create private circles of friends or family. Once a circle is established, members can see each other's live locations on a shared map interface. This is particularly useful for scenarios like coordinating arrival times at a crowded event, ensuring a group hiking together stays on the same trail, or confirming that friends have arrived home safely after a late evening. The app includes customizable geofencing, allowing users to set up virtual boundaries and receive notifications when a circle member arrives at or leaves a specific place, such as a home or a pickup point.

Beyond basic location pins, the app displays battery levels of connected friends, which can be critical information during long outings. A location history feature is also available, providing a breadcrumb trail of movements over a user-defined period, helpful for retracing steps or confirming travel routes. However, reviews indicate that location updates can sometimes experience a slight lag of 30-60 seconds in areas with poor cellular reception. The interface is straightforward, prioritizing a clear map view over complex social features. The app requires all participants to have it installed and to grant continuous location permissions, which some users note can impact battery life more noticeably than Apple's native Find My app, though it offers more granular group controls. For informal, consent-based location sharing among a close-knit group, Friend Tracker provides a functional and focused solution.