Snapchat's new feature sends an alert to your friends when you get home safe

Snapchat is launching a Home Safe feature to make it easier to let your loved ones know you have arrived home safely.

Building on the app's existing location functions, Home Safe lets you send an automatic alert to friends in a chat, so you do not have to remember to send a direct message.

While many apps allow for live location tracking, these alerts mean your friends will not need to keep checking on your progress. Snap states the notification is sent only once and then deactivates automatically.

You maintain control over who receives these alerts. The notifications can only be sent to friends with whom you are already sharing your location. This allows you to select exactly who you want to receive the Home Safe notification.

An alert is sent out when the app registers that you have arrived at your home destination.

To use the feature, you first need to set your home location on the Snap Map. This is done by tapping on your Bitmoji and choosing “My Home.”

After the location is set, you can tap the Map icon within your conversations and select the “Home Safe” button when you begin your trip back home.