How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps on Mobile and Desktop

Publish date: 2024-05-08

There is so much more to Google Maps than merely getting from A to B. It can provide you with public transportation routes and times, and customize your journey depending on your method of travel. It also lets you drop a pin in a location and either save it to your profile or share it with friends.

Dropping a pin in Google Maps is useful if the place you're looking for doesn't have an address or is off the road network. It's also helpful on the odd occasion when Google gets a location wrong. Here's how to drop a pin on Google Maps on Android, iOS, and desktop.

How to Drop a Pin on the Google Maps Android App

To drop a pin on Google Maps when using an Android device:

  • Open the Google Maps app.
  • Either search for an address or scroll around the map until you find the location you want.
  • Long-press on the screen to drop a pin.
  • The address or location will pop up at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap on the location to share it, save it, add a label to it, or get directions.
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    These pins are a really handy way to keep track of locations on the app. There are also plenty of other Google Maps tricks to help you use the app like a pro.

    How to Drop a Pin on the Google Maps iOS App

    The process for how to drop a pin in Google Maps on iOS is broadly the same as the process for Android.

  • Open the Google Maps app.
  • Search for an address using the search functionality (one of the essential features on Google Maps) or scroll around the map until you find the ideal pin location.
  • To drop the pin, long-press on the screen in the desired location.
  • The address or coordinates will pop up at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap on the location to see more details, get directions, add labels, etc.
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    How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps on Desktop

    Many people don't realize that it's also possible to drop a pin on Google Maps from any desktop operating system.

    The process is straightforward:

  • Head to the Google Maps homepage.
  • Find the location where you want to place the dropped pin, then left-click on the exact spot.
  • A small grey pin icon will appear on the map, and you'll see an information box pop up at the bottom of the screen.
  • If you click on the information box, a new panel will appear on the left-hand side of the screen, containing more information and providing you with some additional options.

    • How to Make the Most of a Dropped Pin

    Let's now look at some of the things you can do once you've dropped the pin, and you're happy with the pin's location.

    The exact options vary slightly depending on whether you're using a mobile or desktop operating system. We'll look at each feature in turn.

    Use a Dropped Pin for Directions

    Available on: Mobile and Desktop

    As we said at the start, Google Maps' most useful feature is arguably its ability to provide directions. If you're not sure about the address of a particular location, then dropped pins become an essential part of the process.

    You can choose to use your dropped pin as a starting point or endpoint. Sadly, there is no way to place two dropped pins and find directions between them. Instead, you'll need to place one pin, make a note of the address or coordinates, and then drop a second pin to use as your start point/destination. If this sounds complicated, there's a simpler way to measure area and distance in Google Maps.

    But in case you prefer using a pin, the map will offer routes by air, foot, bike, and even by plane (with prices included!).

    Save a Pin Location

    Available on: Mobile and Desktop

    You can save a pin's location in Google Maps to a list that's connected to your Google account. You can then access it on all your devices.

    Four pre-made lists are available by default: Favorites, Want to go, Travel plans, and Starred places. You can add more lists (and delete the defaults) by going to Saved in the app's bottom menu. Each list can be public or private, or shared with specific other users. You can also make group lists that anyone can add pins to—they're useful for vacations and day trips.

    These lists are just one way that Google Maps can integrate with some of Google's other products and services.

    Send a Desktop Pin to Your Phone

    Available on: Desktop

    If you drop a pin on Google Maps via the desktop version of the app, you can share it with your Google Maps mobile app or email it to the Gmail address that's connected to your account.

    Just click on Send to phone to get started.

    Share a Dropped Pin Location

    Available on: Mobile and Desktop

    The Google Maps desktop app provides five ways to share a dropped pin with other users (not including the lists feature as discussed above).

    On the desktop, you can either:

    If you're sharing a dropped pin location from an Android or iOS device, you are forced to use your operating system's native Share menu. The embed option will not be available.

    Add a Label to a Dropped Pin

    Available on: Mobile and Desktop

    You can label your dropped pins with a custom word or phrase. You can also add it to a list. The labels will sync across your entire Google account, and they will appear on all Google Maps versions.

    The feature does have a trade-off, however. As per Google's own message:

    Personal places will be used across Google products, for personalized recommendations, and for more useful ads.

    Only you can decide whether you are comfortable with the situation from a privacy standpoint.

    On mobile, you can add a label by selecting the Add label option that appears after you drop a pin at the bottom. On the desktop site, the Add label option may appear or not) on the left-hand side panel that pops up, depending on the location pinned.

    How to Remove Dropped Pins

    Now you know how to drop a pin. But what about deleting a dropped pin? How do you remove one from your map?

    To remove a pin location on Android and iOS, tap the X icon in the text box at the top of the page. If you want to delete a dropped pin on desktop, either click anywhere else on the map or press the X icon on the information box at the bottom of the screen.

    Utilize Google Maps Pins to Their Maximum

    When considering what is a dropped pin on Google Maps used for, the answers might not be immediately obvious. However, we hope that the tips in this article will help you unlock a new way for Google Maps and thus enable you to move around even more seamlessly.

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