What Does ETA Mean on Life 360?

What Does ETA Mean on Life 360?

Dive into Life360's Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) feature—how it works, its benefits for family coordination and safety, and customization steps. Learn about the accuracy of Life360's ETA, potential issues, and discover Phone Locator, a user-friendly alternative for advanced mobile phone tracking and location sharing

We want to know the whereabouts of our loved ones because it helps us stay calm and provides safety and coordination within families and groups of friends. One of the most popular applications that are used for it is Life360. 

A key feature of this app is its ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) functionality. It is a real-time calculation of how long it will take for a member of your Circle to reach another member. It takes into account current traffic conditions and the fastest available routes. This feature is especially useful for families that coordinate daily activities or for ensuring the safety of people who are traveling.

Screenshot of the option ETA from Life 360 app

The Accuracy of Life360's ETA 

What does ETA stand for on Life 360? As the name suggests, ETA stands for Estimated Time of Arrival. The accuracy of this feature is influenced by a lot of factors. 

  • Performance of your phone's GPS system;

  • Stability of your network connection;

  • Environmental elements: weather conditions or presence of physical infrastructures. 

Note: Although Life360 tries to provide the most accurate ETA possible, users should be aware that these external factors can affect the precision of the ETA provided.

What Is ETA on Life 360 for Families?

Life360's ETA feature allows users to select a member of their Circle on the app's map and then click 'Get Directions' to view the distance to their location. Life360 generates an ETA by using the user's choice of navigation apps, e.g., Google Maps or Waze. What is ETA on Life 360 beneficial for? The pros are following:

  • Coordination among family members: If you are planning for someone's arrival at a family gathering or want to know when your child will be home from school, Life360's ETA feature helps with that in real time.

  • Real-time location updates and estimated travel times: This helps reduce anxiety and unnecessary wait times. Family members can plan their schedules more effectively thanks to this.

  • Enhanced safety and communication: When you know when a family member is expected to arrive, it can enhance safety, especially in emergency situations or unfavorable weather conditions.

Potential Issues with Life 360's ETA Feature

There are many benefits of the ETA feature on Life360. However, there are its cons as well. Technical glitches, battery drainage, or connectivity issues can sometimes hinder the accuracy of real-time location data. Relying solely on a single app for the safety and coordination of family members carries certain risks, particularly when technological limitations are encountered.

How to Customize Life 360’s ETA 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to customize ETA notifications in Life 360:

Step 1: Open the Life360 App

Start by opening the Life360 app on your smartphone. Make sure that you are logged in to your account.

Screenshot of the start page of Life 360 app.

Step 2: Access the Circle

Select the Circle for which you want to customize ETA notifications. Life360 allows you to create multiple Circles for different groups of people, e.g.,  family, friends, coworkers.

Step 3: Choose a Member

Tap on the profile icon of the member you want to set up an ETA notification for. This action will bring up their current location and options for interaction.

Step 4: Set Up Place Alerts

Then you need to set up Place Alerts. Go to the menu (three lines or dots, depending on your device) and select 'Places.'

Here, you can add a new place by tapping on the "+" icon or select an existing place to customize notifications.

Step 5: Customize Alerts

After that,, you will have the option to customize alerts for when a member arrives at or leaves a specific location. This is where you can manage ETA notifications.

You can specify which members of the Circle you want to receive arrival and departure notifications for and at what times these notifications should be active.

Step 6: Enable Notifications

Make sure that the notification settings on your phone allow Life360 to send you push notifications. You can find it in the 'Settings' of the phone under 'Notifications.' Look for Life360 and ensure that the switch is turned on.

Step 7: Save Your Settings

When you have customized your ETA notifications, do not forget to save your settings. Life360 will now send notifications based on your preferences.

Additional Tips:

  • Update Life360: Your Life360 app must be up to date to have the latest features and improvements.

  • Network Connectivity: The phone of the member you are tracking should have a stable network connection for accurate and timely notifications.

  • Battery Optimization: For Android users, check battery optimization settings so that Life360 is not being put to sleep, as this can affect notifications.

If You Want to Try an Alternative

For users who have experienced different limitations of Life360, there is another app that everyone likes - Phone Locator. This application provides similar, and even more advanced, features for monitoring and locating mobile phones. It puts an emphasis on user-friendliness and the integration of innovative technologies.

Why Phone Locator?

When comparing Phone Locator to Life360, it is essential to highlight the innovative features and user-centric design that set our app apart. Unlike Life360, which primarily focuses on family location sharing and ETA calculations, Phone Locator provides a broader perspective on location tracking and offers solutions for families, professionals and other people.

A smiling user looks at the phone

Enhanced Accuracy and Reliability

The app uses advanced GPS technology and sophisticated algorithms for timely and highly accurate location data. This precision is very important for users who depend on the app for safety reasons or time-sensitive situations.

Minimal Battery Consumption

A common issue of Life 360 users is high battery drain because of continuous GPS tracking. Phone Locator addresses this concern head-on: it optimizes its location tracking processes for minimal battery consumption. This innovation means that users can enjoy prolonged use of their devices without worrying about battery life.

Customizable Privacy Settings

Users of Phone Locator can control who can view their location and when. This flexibility is an advantage for users who value their privacy but still want to share their whereabouts with certain people or groups under specific conditions.

Real-time Alerts and Notifications

What does ETA mean in Life360? It provides an estimated arrival time, at the same time, Phone Locator offers real-time alerts and notifications. These alerts can be customized for various scenarios, e.g., when a family member reaches or leaves a particular location.

User-Friendly Interface

The design of Phone Locator emphasizes ease of use. That means that users of all ages and technical skills can navigate the app without problems and worries. 

User Feedback and Concerns

Phone Locator is continually evolving. It releases regular updates that address user feedback and concerns. 

A Focus on Data Security

In an era where data privacy is a must, Phone Locator protects user information thanks to advanced encryption and strict data protection policies. Users can rest assured that their location data and personal information are secure and treated with the utmost confidentiality.

We have answered the question ‘What does ETA on Life 360 mean?’, and provided the most important information about this feature. However, despite all its advantages, users may encounter problems with its operation. Therefore, we recommend you to try a completely new solution for reliable and accurate location sharing with your loved ones - Phone Locator.


The need to use only the best apps cannot be denied. You should trust the services that may request your information to be sure that it will not be shared with third parties. Phone Locator will help you with this and you will trust this application.

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