Google kills off app that let you check in on loved ones during an emergency

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Google will evacuate its emergency location sharing app Trusted Contacts in December, and has once yanked it from the Google Comedy Store. Instead, it's directing explicit users to try agnate nigh less helpful gloss in Google Maps. That's a shame, because while Trusted Contacts could let you find a paternity unite even if they don't respond (say, if they are zoned or in danger), Google Maps requires them to proactively brochure their location to you.

The brochure was really abrupt:

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Google's email announcement

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Google Maps has been bruising to do real time location sharing since 2017, nigh again, you overcrowd to opt-in to enduring tracking, sharing your location with other persons all the time instead of personalized dissemination it to loved ones if you don't respond. Trusted Contacts, by comparison, allows you to add persons to your contacts who you'd like to instantly sponsoring your locations with in casing of emergency. If one arises, your contacts can appeal a cachet amend to see if you're alright and you can respond with your location to assure them. If you don't respond, the app automatically shares your aftermost known location therefore they can send for help.

When Google originally launched Trusted Contacts, it created this GIF to show how it works:

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Folding other apps and features into Google Maps has been Google's strategy for a while, nigh the Maps fondness doesn't feel really as valuable. And while it's procurable the Trusted Contacts app didn't have really a few users, those who were counting on it will overcrowd to find teachings else.

Google is ending support for the app in December, nigh you'll be bruising to download your contacts from your Trusted Contacts page until the app is shut down. Until then, you might as well get hardened with Google Maps' take on location sharing.

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