> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lightpost.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lightpost.app/core-concepts/groups/group-etas.md).

# Group ETAs

Share a live arrival time with a group while traveling, including automatic ETA updates, notes, and arrival status.

Group ETAs let a traveler share an estimated arrival time with a Lightpost group. Group members can see who is traveling, the destination, the estimated arrival time, the remaining travel time and distance, and important updates such as a pause, note, delay, or arrival.

Group ETAs are useful when a group is waiting for someone to arrive at a church building, event, pickup location, or other destination.

### Enable Group ETAs

An administrator must enable ETAs at both the account and group levels.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Group ETAs must be activated at the account level first. Until **Groups - Enable ETAs** is enabled in **Account Settings > Features**, the ETA options will not appear in an individual group's settings.
{% endhint %}

#### 1. Enable ETAs for the Account

1. Go to **Admin > Account Settings > Features**.
2. Enable **Groups - Enable ETAs**.
3. Click **Save Changes**.

#### 2. Enable ETAs for a Group

1. Go to **Admin > Groups** and select the group.
2. Open the group's **Settings** page.
3. Enable **ETAs**.
4. Choose whether to enable **Allow members to create ETAs**.
5. Save the group.

When **Allow members to create ETAs** is enabled, any member of the group can start an ETA. When it is disabled, only group admins and administrators with permission to manage groups can start one. All group members can still view the active ETA.

### Start an ETA

The mobile app is the best option for sharing location updates during a trip.

1. Open **Groups** in the Lightpost mobile app and select the group.
2. Tap **ETAs**.
3. Tap **Create**.
4. Enter the destination. You can also add an optional destination name and trip label.
5. Tap **Use my location & start** and allow Lightpost to use your location.

If the congregation address is available, it appears as a quick destination option.

{% hint style="info" %}
Only one ETA can be active or paused for a group at a time. Once it is completed, cancelled, or expired, another member can start a new ETA.
{% endhint %}

### Keep Location Updates Running

Lightpost periodically uses the traveler's location to recalculate the arrival time and remaining distance. Location updates are not continuous, so the displayed ETA may briefly lag behind the traveler's actual progress.

To keep updates running while the mobile app is in the background:

1. Open the main Lightpost **Settings** screen.
2. Under **ETA Sharing**, select **Background ETA updates**.
3. Complete the location-permission setup and allow **Always** location access.

If background ETA updates are off, keep Lightpost open while traveling. Device power settings, location permissions, and network availability can affect how frequently the ETA updates.

### Manage an Active ETA

The traveler can manage the ETA from the group's **ETAs** screen:

* **Pause** stops location and arrival-time updates until the ETA is resumed.
* **Resume** restarts an ETA that was paused.
* **I've arrived** completes the ETA immediately. Lightpost may also mark the ETA as arrived after a location update places the traveler near the destination.
* **Cancel** ends the ETA without marking the traveler as arrived.
* **Post a note to the group** shares information such as traffic, a stop, or a change of plans.
* **Set arrival time manually** replaces the calculated arrival time. The traveler can revert to the calculated time later.
* **View updates** opens the ETA timeline, including status changes and notes.

An ETA that is not updated for an extended period expires automatically.

### Share an ETA Outside the Group

The traveler can select **Create a public link** and share the link with someone who does not have access to the Lightpost group. Anyone with the link can view the traveler's live status, destination, arrival estimate, remaining time and distance, and latest note.

The public link does not include precise live coordinates or location history. The traveler can select **Disable public link** at any time to make the link unavailable.

{% hint style="warning" %}
A public link does not require a Lightpost login. Share it only with people who should be able to follow the ETA.
{% endhint %}

### Follow a Group ETA

When a group has an ETA, members see a live ETA summary on the group's page. Open **ETAs** to see the full status and update timeline. The arrival time and countdown refresh as Lightpost receives new information from the traveler.

Group admins and administrators with permission to manage groups can cancel another member's active ETA if needed.

### ETA Notifications

Each group member can decide whether to receive mobile notifications for ETA activity:

1. Open the group.
2. Open the group's **Settings** page.
3. Under **ETAs**, turn **ETA updates** on or off.

Notifications cover important activity such as an ETA starting, pausing, resuming, running late, receiving a note, or arriving. Routine location updates are silent.

### Location and Privacy

Lightpost sends the traveler's precise location to Lightpost's servers and the routing provider while the ETA is active so it can calculate and update the arrival time. The current live location is cleared when the ETA arrives, is cancelled, or expires; the ETA's status history and notes are retained.

Only members of the selected group can open the ETA inside Lightpost. Creating a public link is optional and does not expose precise location data.