Instagram Map Feature Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The Instagram map feature sits at the top of your DM inbox and gives you the option to share your last active location with people you choose. When enabled, it updates your location when you open or return to the app, and it also lets you explore posts, Reels, Stories, and Notes from friends and creators tagged to locations.

• Location sharing is off by default and only updates when the app is active.
  
  
• You can select who sees your location: Friends, Close Friends, specific people, or no one.
  

How do I turn on or off my location on the Instagram map?

To start sharing your location on the Instagram map, open the map, follow the prompt, and pick your sharing audience. You can stop or adjust sharing anytime in the map’s settings or by turning off Instagram’s location permissions in your device settings.

• Access the Instagram map in the DM inbox tab.
  
  
• Toggle location sharing on or off in map settings or phone privacy settings.
  

Who can see my location on Instagram Map?

With the Instagram map feature, you control your visibility. Share your location with all mutual followers, your Close Friends list, selected people, or no one. You can also block certain individuals or locations from seeing your activity.

• Share with Friends, Close Friends, custom lists, or no one at all.
  
  
• Restrict sharing in specific places or to specific people.
  

What content appears on the Instagram map besides location sharing?

Even without sharing your own location, you can still explore location-based content through the Instagram map feature guide. You’ll see Reels, posts, Stories, and Notes from people you follow with tagged locations, available for 24 hours after posting.

• Reels, posts, Stories, and Notes with location tags appear on the map.
  
  
• Content is visible for 24 hours before it expires.
  

Is the Instagram map always active?

The Instagram map is only active if you choose to share your location. When enabled, it updates your last active location when you open or return to the app from the background. You can turn it off at any time.

• Location sharing updates only during active use of the app.
  
  
• You can disable sharing instantly in map settings.
  

What controls are available for teens?

For supervised teen accounts, parents have full control over the Instagram map feature. They receive alerts when a teen turns on location sharing, can see who they share with, and can disable the feature entirely if desired.

• Parents are notified when teens enable location sharing.
  
  
• Full parental controls to manage access and visibility.
  

How can I turn off my location on Instagram Map?

To disable location sharing on the Instagram map, go to the map’s settings and select “no one,” or remove Instagram’s location permissions in your phone’s system settings for complete privacy.

• Set sharing to “no one” in map settings.
  
  
• Remove app-level location permissions in device settings.
  

Recap FAQ – Instagram Map Feature Guide

What is the Instagram map?

A new opt-in map feature that lets you share your last active location and explore location-tagged content.

Is location sharing required?

No, the Instagram map feature is off by default and completely optional.

How often does it update my location?

Only when you open or return to the app.

Can I see location content without sharing mine?

Yes, you can browse tagged content without enabling your own location sharing.

Do teens have extra safety controls?

Yes, parents can manage, monitor, or disable a teen’s location sharing.

Where do I find the Instagram map?