# Exact vs. approximate location: what is the difference?

A direct answer, followed by when each option actually makes sense.

Exact location shares your precise coordinates, accurate to a few meters. Approximate location shares only the general area you're in - enough for context, like knowing someone is near downtown, without exposing the specific building or address.


Both iOS and Android support an approximate-location system permission, and several location sharing apps layer their own version of this choice on top.

## When exact makes sense

Meeting up in person, coordinating a pickup, or checking in during a hike all benefit from a precise pin - the whole point is knowing exactly where someone is.

## When approximate makes sense

Sharing with a wider group, or in situations where general context is enough but your exact address isn't anyone's business, approximate location covers it without oversharing.

## How this works in glancy

Precision is set per connection, not as one global switch - see [approximate location](/en/features/approximate-location) for details. That's different from apps like Life360, where approximate location (branded "Ghost Mode") is a paid feature rather than a free, per-connection setting.