An example co-location connection service is described. The online co-location connection service is provided by a messaging system configured to selectively pair user profiles associated with respective client devices equipped with sensors that communicate with each other within the predetermined physical range. The messaging system monitors physical proximity of the client devices based on the sensor data obtained by the co-location connection service from the respective messaging clients executing at the respective client devices. In response to detecting that the client devices are within a predetermined physical proximity range the messaging system generates co-location experience by modifying the user interface in the respective messaging clients.