What does an Android user see when they receive a Locate request?
This article shows the experience from the subject or bystander's side of a Locate request on an Android device — useful if you want to know what to expect, or what to tell a subject before sending the request.
The experience is largely the same as on iOS, with one key difference: Android devices share battery level automatically, with no action required from the subject. See What does an iOS user see when they receive a Locate request? for a side-by-side comparison.
Step 1 — Receiving the text message
When a Locate request is sent, the subject first receives a text message with a link. The content of this message can be customized — see Configuring Locate & Message.
Step 2 — Sharing location
When the subject taps the link, they're taken to a webpage. Depending on their device settings, their browser may prompt them to allow location access.
If the subject is communicating in a language other than English, the entire webpage experience is automatically served in their preferred language.
Android's permission prompt may offer a choice between Precise and Approximate location. For an accurate result, the subject should select Precise — Approximate location will return a much wider, less useful search area.
Step 3 — Refining location and sharing battery level
Once the subject allows location access, Connect Rocket obtains an initial position. A countdown timer displays while Connect Rocket works to refine the subject's GPS coordinates over the following two minutes.
On Android, battery level is shared automatically in the background — the subject is not prompted and does not need to take any action.
Step 4 — Completion
Once the Locate request is finalized, a confirmation message displays. This message can also be customized — see Configuring Locate & Message — and is a good place to provide next steps or reassurance to the subject.
