Modern navigation has long ceased to be just a way to get directions from point A to point B. Today, users actively share their location with friends, colleagues and relatives, using popular mapping services. 2GIS occupies one of the leading positions in the Android device market thanks to detailed maps and offline mode. However, the functionality of exchanging coordinates in this application has its own characteristics, which are not always obvious at first glance.
Sending a geolocation may be required in a variety of situations: from meeting a courier at an unfamiliar entrance to coordinating actions on a hike without the Internet. Users often get confused in the interface, trying to find the “Share” button, or dictate complex street names the old fashioned way. In this article, we will analyze in detail all available methods for transferring location data, and also discuss the nuances of working with links and tags in the Android ecosystem. Understanding the mechanics of working with geodata will allow you to save time and avoid awkward situations when the interlocutor cannot find you. We will look at both standard sharing tools and advanced methods of working with labels in the Android ecosystem.
Understanding the mechanics of working with geodata will allow you to save time and avoid awkward situations when the interlocutor cannot find you. We will look at both standard sharing tools and advanced methods of working with coordinates and the clipboard, which make the process as flexible and convenient as possible for any use scenario.
The basic mechanism for sending a location through the “Share” menu
The most common and intuitive way to send a point on the map is to use the built-in sharing function. When you open the application 2GIS and find the desired object or simply put a pin (long tap on the map), the system generates a timestamp. An action bar usually appears at the bottom of the screen or in the object card. This is where the desired button is hidden, often indicated by a standard icon of three dots connected by lines, or the word “More.”
By clicking on this interface element, you gain access to the Android system menu for transferring data. All applications installed on your device that can process a link or text data are aggregated here. You can instantly send information to messengers, social networks or even to an email client. This is a universal method that works stably on any version of the operating system, starting with Android 8.0.
Please note that the format of the transmitted data may vary depending on what exactly you have chosen. If it's a business, the recipient will see a link to a business card with ratings and reviews. If you sent an arbitrary point on the map, the interlocutor will receive a link leading directly to specific coordinates with an open application (if installed) or a web version of the service.
⚠️ Attention: When sending a link, make sure that the recipient has 2GISinstalled. Otherwise, the link will open in a browser, which will require an Internet connection and may not display detailed building data, which is only available in the application’s offline mode.
Working with the clipboard and text coordinates
Sometimes standard sharing methods are inconvenient or impossible, for example, when you need to insert coordinates into a specific form field on a website or send them to a person using a competing navigator. In such cases, working with clipboardcomes to the rescue. The application 2GIS allows you to copy not only links, but also pure numeric values of latitude and longitude, which is a more universal data format.
To copy coordinates, you need to call the context menu of the selected point. In some versions of the interface, this option is hidden inside the location card under the “Details” button or is accessible through a long press on the address itself at the top of the screen. After selecting the “Copy coordinates” item, a line of the form 55.751244, 37.618423appears in the system buffer. This data can be inserted into any text field, replacing the previous contents of the buffer.
This approach is especially relevant for technicians or tourists using specialized GPS equipment. Numerical values do not depend on the version of the application and work anywhere in the world, regardless of the presence of detailed maps of a particular city in the database 2GIS. This ensures that the recipient will be able to open the point even in Google Maps or Yandex.Navigatorby simply pasting the copied numbers into the search.
For quick access to coordinates in new versions of 2GIS, try making a long tap directly on the address bar in the top panel - often a pop-up menu appears there with a copy option without having to open the full object card.
Sending links to routes and favorite places
Functional 2GIS is not limited to transmitting one point. Users are often faced with the need to share a complex route or a selection of interesting places, for example, a city trip plan for a tourist group. The application allows you to generate unique links not only for objects, but also for constructed routes, as well as for entire lists in the “Favorites” section.
When generating a route through the “How to get there” button, an export or send button appears in the interface. By clicking it, you create a link that, when opened by your interlocutor, automatically restores the entire path: the starting point, the finishing point and the selected type of transport (foot, car, public). This eliminates the need to dictate the sequence of turns or names of stops, since the visual layout of the path is completely preserved.
The mechanism for collections works in a similar way. If you've created a "Favorite Coffee Shops" or "Weekend Itinerary" list, you can open the list's management menu and select the "Share List" option. The generated link will lead the recipient to view all tags at once. This is extremely convenient for planning joint events when you need to synchronize geodata between several group members.
| Data type | Transfer format | Recipient requirements | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object (Business) | Link to card | Internet or card base | Meeting in a cafe, office, store |
| Point on map | Link or Coordinates | Any navigator | Meeting in the field, at the entrance, in the park |
| Route | Link with route parameters | 2GIS Application | Instructions on how to get there the hard way |
| List of places | Link to the collection | 2GIS Application | Tour planning, selection of establishments |
Features of sending to instant messengers and social networks
Integration of mapping services with popular means of communication in Android is implemented at a deep level. When you select the icon WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber in the “Share” menu, the corresponding application automatically launches with a prepared draft message. The body of the message will contain a map preview and a text link. However, it is important to take into account the specifics of how each messenger works with geodata.
In Telegram, for example, it is possible to send a geolocation not as a link, but as an interactive map inside the chat. Although 2GIS by default it sends a link, the user can copy the coordinates (as described above) and use the “Attach → Geolocation” function directly in the messenger interface by pasting the data there. This will allow the interlocutor to see your location in the interface of the messenger itself without going to external applications.
Social networks, such as VKontakte or Instagram, may process external links differently. Sometimes the map preview does not load due to privacy settings or domain blocking. In such situations, the most reliable method is to copy a short text with a description of the place and an attached link at the end of the message. Always check what the message looks like in the preview before clicking the send button to make sure that everything is correctly formed. data-i="116">Make sure that the point is exactly at the entrance data formed correctly.
☑️ Check before sending the link
Settings for privacy and position accuracy
Before sharing your location, it is critical to understand how accurate your location is and what data you are sharing. Positioning accuracy in Android depends on the included signal sources: GPS, GLONASS, cell towers and Wi-Fi networks. In the settings of the application itself 2GIS and the system, you can adjust the level of access to geodata, which directly affects where exactly you “land” your interlocutor.
If you are in a multi-story building, standard coordinates may point to the center of the block or the roof of the house, which will make it difficult to find the entrance. In such cases, it is recommended to use the position clarification function available in the label editing mode. Manually move the Pin to a specific entryway or porch before generating the link. This action will change the final latitude and longitude, hardwired into the link, making it as useful as possible for navigation.
It is also worth remembering about security. Sending a link to your current location to public chats or strangers reveals information about where you are currently located or where you have been. Unlike the “Broadcast geoposition” function in instant messengers, a link from 2GIS usually is static and leads to the location selected at the time of sending, but the habit of checking the context before sharing will never be superfluous.
⚠️ Attention: If you use the "Incognito" mode or have limited application access to exact location in Android settings, the link sent may lead to an approximate area, and not to a specific house. Check the accuracy before sending to important contacts.
Solving problems with opening links and compatibility
Despite the popularity of the format, users sometimes encounter a situation where the sent link does not open or leads to a blank page. This is often due to the fact that the recipient's device does not have file associations configured for this type of link, or the application 2GIS is not installed and is not automatically offered for installation. In Android, the default settings for opening links can block the automatic launch of applications.
To solve this problem, the recipient must go to the settings of his smartphone, find the "Applications" section, select a browser or a specific messenger and in the "Opening links" item allow launch 2GIS for domains 2gis.ru i 2gis.com. An alternative and more reliable option is to send coordinates in text format, as described previously. Digital format is universal and does not depend on the settings of the operating system or the availability of specific software.
Another common problem is an outdated version of the application. If the link points to an object that was recently added to the database, or uses new routing data formats, the old version 2GIS may not process the request correctly. Regular updating of the application via Google Play or RuStore guarantees compatibility with all modern geodata exchange formats and correct display of map previews.
What to do if the link is broken?
If the link does not open, ask the sender to copy the coordinates (numbers) manually. Insert them into the search of any navigator - this will work in 100% of cases, since the latitude and longitude format is an international standard and does not depend on the software version.
A universal solution to compatibility problems is to send pure coordinates (latitude, longitude) instead of links - this format is understood by absolutely all navigation systems in the world.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to send a geolocation from 2GIS if there is no Internet?
Yes, you can copy the coordinates of a point or save a link to the clipboard even in offline mode if the city map is downloaded. However, to send this link to your interlocutor via messenger, you will still need the Internet. The link itself will be working, and the recipient will be able to open it if there is a network.
How to send several places at once with one message?
To do this, you need to create a list in the “Favorites” section, add the desired places there, and then use the “Share list” function. You will receive one link, opening which, the user will see all the marked points on the map at the same time.
Why, when sending a link, does the web version open and not the application?
This happens if the recipient's device is not installed 2GIS or the Android settings do not allow automatic opening of links by this application. It is recommended to check the "Open Links" settings in your phone settings or simply install the application for a better experience.
Is it possible to share a route built for public transport?
Yes, after building a route, click the "Share" button in the route menu. The link will save not only the start and end points, but also the selected type of transport, however, the details of stops and schedules can only be displayed correctly within the application, and not in the web version.
Is it safe to send a link to your home?
Technically, the link leads to the static coordinates of the building. It is safe in the sense that it does not broadcast your movements in real time. However, it reveals the address of your registration or residence, so send such data only to trusted people.