95% of U.S. Couples Use Location-Sharing Apps

A recent survey conducted by Life360 has revealed that a substantial majority of couples now use some form of location-sharing technology, underscoring the growing role such tools play in contemporary relationships. According to the data, 95% of American adults in relationships use location-sharing tech, with the majority reporting that these tools foster trust and connection.

The survey, which targeted 1,000 partnered adults, found that 64% of couples plan to make location-sharing a permanent relationship feature. Additionally, 21% consider refusal to share one’s location a potential deal-breaker. Other findings indicated that 73% of respondents believe location-sharing increases trust, while 53% called it “the secret to keeping our relationship strong.”

For many users, safety remains the primary motivation. The survey highlighted that 51% of respondents use location-sharing applications to monitor a partner’s whereabouts when they’re driving, during bad weather, or out late at night, and 90% cited safety as a key reason for adopting the technology.

However, the survey also raises questions regarding privacy, consent and power dynamics. Experts warn that when location-sharing is coerced or unbalanced – rather than mutually agreed – it can slide into surveillance rather than safety. A 2025 study by Australia’s eSafety Commission found that location-sharing tools can be used to facilitate digital coercive control, with only around 13% of respondents believing tracking by a partner is justified.