Life360 is a popular family location sharing and tracking app available for both iOS and Android devices. It allows families and friends to share locations in real-time, set up place alerts, communicate via in-app messaging, and more.
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What is a Life360 Circle?
A Life360 Circle refers to a group that users create within the Life360 app to share locations with specific people. For example, you may have:
- A “Family” circle to share with immediate family members
- A “Friends” circle to share with close friends
- An “In-Laws” circle to share with extended family
You can belong to multiple circles and easily switch between them within the app. Each circle is private and members must be invited to join.
Adding Family Members to Your Life360 Circle
Adding new members to your Life360 Circle is simple. Just follow these steps:
1. Open the Life360 App
Launch the app on your iOS or Android device. Make sure you are logged into your account.
Tap on the “My Family” tab at the bottom to see your current circle members.
3. Tap “Add Member”
At the bottom of the members list, tap the “+” button to add a new member.
4. Select an Invitation Method
You will be presented with various options to send an invite:
- Text Message: Send an SMS invite with a join link
- Email: Send an email invite with a join link
- WhatsApp: Send an invite via WhatsApp
- More: Additional messaging apps based on what’s installed on your device
Choose your preferred contact method for the person you want to invite.
5. Send the Invite Link
An invite code and link will be automatically generated. Send this to the family member or friend you want to add.
6. Have Them Join Using the Link
Once they receive the invite, have them click the link on their own device. This will open the Life360 app and prompt them to join your Circle.
That’s it! Once they accept the invite, they will be added to your Circle and location sharing will be activated.
Creating Additional Life360 Circles
If you want to create another Circle for a different group of people, it only takes a couple taps:
- Open the app and tap the “Circles” icon at the top
- Tap “Create a Circle”
- Name your new Circle
- Tap “Members” and use the steps above to invite people
You can easily switch between your different Life360 Circles using the Circle Switcher menu at the top of the app.
Setting User Permissions
As the Circle creator, you are set as the Admin by default. There can be multiple admins in a Circle.
As the Admin, you have the ability to remove members, change permissions, and more. Members have more limited permissions.
To update permissions:
- Tap the profile icon of the member
- Tap “Permissions”
- Toggle admin abilities on or off
Admin abilities include inviting new members, removing members, changing circle settings, and changing member permissions.
It’s generally recommended to only share admin status with highly trusted circle members.
Location Sharing Features
Once your Family Circle is set up in Life360, there are many useful location sharing features at your fingertips:
Real-Time Location Tracking
Constantly see where circle members are on a map with real-time location tracking. Zoom in to street level too.
Location History
View previous location data for the past 1-30 days depending on your plan. See where they were and routes taken.
Place Alerts
Get notifications when members enter or exit key places like home, school, or work. Know when kids arrived safely.
Driving Features
View driving summaries for younger family members including speed, phone use, and more while at the wheel.
Through effective use of Life360’s Circles and location sharing capabilities, you can easily keep tabs on family members and ensure greater peace of mind.
Troubleshooting Issues
If a circle member is having issues with their locations not showing properly in the app, there are a few things you can try:
- Make sure location services are enabled on their device
- Confirm cellular data/WiFi is turned on
- Airplane mode should be disabled
- Low power mode or battery saver settings may interfere and should be turned off
- Reinstalling the Life360 app can also resolve persistent location issues
For additional support, you can contact Life360 Customer Support for troubleshooting.
Summary
- Life360 Circles allow you to privately share locations with chosen groups
- Easily add circle members by sending invite links from the app
- Manage permissions to control admin and member abilities
- Take advantage of real-time GPS tracking, place alerts, history, and more
- Troubleshoot location issues by checking device settings and app install
With its vast features for families, Life360 aims to provide peace of mind by keeping circle members connected, safe, and in-the-know on each other’s whereabouts. Constructing proper circles and leveraging its capabilities allows you to reap the full benefits.
