Pins are a convenient Google Maps feature that allows you to save a location. You can drop a pin to save an address or mark a location if it doesn’t have an address or if the address is incorrect. Your pins will help you navigate to these locations again, and you can also share them with your friends to indicate a meetup location.
Dropping a pin in Google Maps is very easy. Here is how you can do it on mobile and desktop.
Dropping pins in Google Maps on mobile
Table of Contents
The most recent version of Google Maps has made it much easier to drop a pin from the search box — in fact, it drops a pin automatically, whether you want it or not. It assumes if you are seeking a particular address, you want a pin dropped there. So when you use the search box to find an address, count on a pin being deposited there automatically. You still have to tap and hold if you are using the map interface instead of the search box to find a location.
Step 1: Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android phone.
Step 2: Search for an address using the search bar at the top of the screen or scroll around the map until you find the location where you want to drop a pin.
Step 3: Press and hold the screen to drop a pin. A light touch is all that’s needed.
Step 4: Tap the pin to get directions to that location and share or save them.
Step 5: To remove a pin, just pinch out, and a box at the top reading Dropped Pin or the Specific Location appears with an X on the right side. Tapping that X removes the pin.
Dropping pins in Google Maps on computer
Step 1: Navigate to the Google Maps website.
Step 2: Search for an address using the search bar on the upper left side of the screen or scroll around the map until you find the location where you want to drop a pin. The search bar automatically drops a pin at the place you searched. You don’t have to do anything else.
Step 3: Left click the spot you want to drop the pin. You may have to zoom in or click slightly to either side of the location you want to drop a pin if there is already a marker there. A small grey pin will appear, as well as an info box at the bottom right of the screen.
Step 4: You can press the navigation icon in the info box to get directions to the dropped pin or click anywhere else in the box to bring up more information about the location you’ve selected.
Step 5: From the additional information screen, you can click Save to save the pin to Your Favorites, Want to Go, Starred Places, or a New List. You can view saved pins under Your Places in the main menu.
Dropping multiple pins by creating a map on desktop
You can only drop a single pin at a time and the easiest way to keep track of multiple pins is by saving them to Your Places, but what if you want to show them all on the same screen? Make your own map. Creating your own map can not only help you visualize multiple pins more easily, but they can also show you the geographical relationships between your favorite places and link them together visually. Here’s how to create your own Google Map.
Step 1: Navigate to the Google Maps website.
Step 2: While you don’t need to be signed in to drop single pins (unless you want to save them), you’ll need to sign in create a map.
Step 3: In the top left corner of your screen, click the menu icon.
Step 4: Click Your Places > Maps > Create Map.
Step 5: A new window opens with your custom map. If you click on Untitled Map, you will be able to add a title and description. Don’t forget to click Save.
Step 6: Record an exact location by clicking on the marker icon, which is located right under the search bar. You can click on a spot to add a marker for this exact location or use the search bar to look up a location.
Step 7: Click the Add directions icon from the icon bar underneath your first destination’s description or at the top next to the original marker to bring up an A field and a B field in the bottom left of the screen. This makes it easy to search and place new destinations. You can use the side menu to add more destinations to your map. Your map will link the different locations automatically.
Step 8: For personal use, the previous step was your final one. If you want to share your map, click on the icon in the top left corner. This icon will also give you access to a preview option if you want to see what your map looks like.
Do’s and Don’ts: How to Drop a Pin in Google Maps
Do’s
- Use the Google Maps app to drop pins on your device. It is easier than using the desktop version of Google Maps.
- Customize pins with labels and colors so that they are easy to identify when viewing the map.
- Save multiple pins for easy access later by using the “Save” button located at the bottom of the screen after dropping each pin.
Don’ts
- Do not drop a pin at a place where it could cause confusion or harm, such as an airport runway or restricted area.
- Do not drop a pin on someone else’s property without permission.
- Do not rely solely on GPS coordinates to accurately locate yourself in an unfamiliar area; use landmarks and street signs whenever possible.
FAQs: How to Drop a Pin in Google Maps
How do I drop a pin in Google Maps? To drop a pin on Google Maps, open the Google Maps app on your device and find the location you want to mark. Tap and hold anywhere on the map for about two seconds until a red pin appears. The pin will automatically be labeled with an address or landmark name.
Can I customize or label my pins? Yes, you can add labels to your pins by tapping on them after they have been dropped. You can also change their color and give them custom labels so that it is easy to identify them among other pins when viewing the map.
Can I save multiple pins? Yes, you can save multiple pins by tapping the “Save” button located at the bottom of the screen after dropping each pin. You can access all your saved locations by opening the left-hand side menu in Google Maps and selecting “Your places” from the list of options.