Ever tried explaining exactly where you are when there’s no street address? Maybe it’s that perfect picnic spot deep in the park, the exact entrance to a sprawling festival, or simply a friend’s house tucked away on an unnamed lane. Or perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end – circling the block, frustrated, because “I’m near the big red building!” just isn’t precise enough.
We’ve all been there. Vague directions and hard-to-find locations are a common headache in our on-the-go world. Thankfully, there’s a simple, powerful tool built right into the app billions of us use every day: Google Maps.
Did you know? Google Maps processes over 20 million user contributions every day — including dropped pins, location edits, reviews, and photos — making it one of the most accurate and up-to-date navigation tools in the world.
Instead of struggling with descriptions or hoping an address is correct, you can instantly mark any spot on the map with incredible accuracy. This magic little trick is called “dropping a pin.”
Dropping a pin helps you mark a precise location on the map and share it with others in seconds. It’s especially helpful when the place doesn’t have a clear address or when you’re in a large area like a park, beach, or festival ground. This feature works on both mobile and desktop, and once you learn how to use it, it can save you time and avoid confusion.
In this step-by-step guide for beginners, we’ll walk you through exactly how to drop a pin on Google Maps using your phone or computer. No tech skills required — just follow along and start sharing your exact location like a pro!
Why Dropping a Pin Is So Useful
Before we jump into the how-to, let’s understand why dropping a pin can be such a game-changer:
- Precise Location Sharing: Sometimes an address isn’t enough. Dropping a pin helps you pinpoint your exact location.
- Easy Coordination: Great for meeting friends, organizing group meetups, or sending directions to a service provider.
- Saving Places: You can save a pinned location to revisit it later or to mark a special memory.
- No Address Needed: Works in remote areas, hiking trails, beaches, and rural locations where addresses are nonexistent.
- Works Worldwide: Whether you’re in your hometown or exploring another country, pin-dropping works the same.
How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps (Android)
Step 1: Open Google Maps App
Ensure the app is updated to the latest version from the Play Store.
Step 2: Move Around the Map
Use your finger to scroll, zoom, or drag until you find the exact location.
Step 3: Tap and Hold
Press and hold on the location you want to pin. A red pin will appear.
Step 4: View Details
A panel will pop up at the bottom, showing address, name (if available), or coordinates.
Step 5: Use the Pin
From the panel, you can:
- Save the location to lists like Favorites or Want to go
- Share the pin via WhatsApp, email, or social media
- Get directions to or from the pinned spot
How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps (iPhone/iPad)
Step 1: Open Google Maps App
Make sure the app is updated from the App Store.
Step 2: Navigate on the Map
Swipe, zoom, or drag to find your desired location.
Step 3: Tap and Hold the Spot
Press and hold on the exact place you want to pin. A red pin drops.
Step 4: Access Location Info
A bottom panel appears, showing the address or coordinates.
Step 5: Take Action on the Pin
Options include:
- Save to your custom lists
- Share with others using AirDrop, iMessage, or apps
- Get directions instantly from or to that location
How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps (Desktop Version)
Using Google Maps on your computer? Here’s how to drop a pin:
Step 1: Go to Google Maps Website
Open maps.google.com in your browser.
Step 2: Find Your Location
Use the search bar, scroll, and zoom to locate the area where you want to drop a pin.
Step 3: Click on the Spot
Left-click on the exact location. A small grey pin will appear along with a pop-up box at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4: View Coordinates or Location Info
The details include the location’s address or GPS coordinates. You can also name or label the location if you’re logged into your Google account.
Step 5: Save or Share
Just like on mobile, you can:
- Save the place to your lists
- Share the link via email or messaging
- Start navigation to or from that location
How to Share a Dropped Pin
After you drop a pin, sharing it is easy:
On Mobile:
- Tap on the pin
- Tap “Share”
- Choose how you want to share (e.g., WhatsApp, SMS, Email, etc.)
On Desktop:
- Click the pin
- Click the “Share” button
- Copy the link or share directly via Facebook or Twitter
How to Save a Dropped Pin for Later
Google Maps lets you save places to lists.
Steps to Save a Pin:
- Drop the pin
- Tap or click the location info
- Tap or click “Save”
- Choose a list or create a new one (like Favorites, Want to Go, etc.)
Your saved pins sync across devices when you’re logged into your Google account.
How to Label a Dropped Pin
Labeling helps you organize pins.
- Drop the pin
- Tap/click on the info panel
- Select “Label” (this option appears only if you’re signed into your Google account)
- Type a custom label like “Best Coffee Spot” or “Client’s House”
How to Remove or Delete a Dropped Pin
You may change your mind or no longer need the pin:
On Mobile:
- Tap the “X” on the location card, or just tap elsewhere on the map to clear it.
On Desktop:
- Click elsewhere on the map or refresh the page.
If you saved the pin, go to “Your Places” and remove it from the list.
Dropping Multiple Pins
Google Maps doesn’t support multiple dropped pins in one go, but you can create a custom map with My Maps:
Steps:
- Go to Google My Maps
- Create a new map
- Add multiple pins by clicking on the pin icon and placing them wherever you like
- Save and share the custom map
Great for event planning, travel itineraries, or marking important spots in a city.
When to Use a Dropped Pin
Here are some real-life situations where dropping a pin is super useful:
- Meeting friends at a park or large event
- Marking a campsite or picnic spot
- Sending a pickup location to a taxi
- Pinning property or land with no address
- Sharing directions to remote business locations
- Marking accident sites or emergency spots
- Tracking delivery or service locations
Tips for Better Pin Dropping
- Zoom in for better accuracy before you drop a pin.
- Use satellite view if the map view isn’t detailed enough.
- Always check the coordinates if you’re sending a pin for an exact rural or off-road location.
- Save pins to different lists based on categories: food, business, travel, etc.
- Use labels to make future navigation easier.
Make Your Life Easier with a Simple Pin Drop
Learning how to drop a pin on Google Maps is one of those simple digital skills that can make your daily life a lot easier. Whether you’re giving directions, planning a trip, saving a memory, or just marking where you parked your car, dropping a pin offers precision and convenience.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. The next time you’re at that hard-to-explain location, just drop a pin and share it – no more guessing games or missed meetups.
Now that you know how to do it, go ahead and practice! Drop a pin, label it, save it, and share it with a friend. Simple, fast, and incredibly useful!
FAQs About How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps
Yes, you can drop a pin even if you’re offline. However, features like sharing, saving, or getting directions won’t work until you reconnect to the internet. It’s best to download offline maps in advance if you’re heading somewhere with poor connectivity.
In the standard Google Maps view, you can only drop one pin at a time. If you want to save and manage multiple locations, try using the “Your places” feature or Google My Maps, which lets you create custom maps with several saved pins.
Yes! Once you drop a pin, tap the location info card, then hit the “Share” button. You’ll be given options like SMS, WhatsApp, email, or any other app installed on your phone. This makes it super easy to let others know exactly where you are.
No, dropped or saved pins do not expire. As long as your Google account is active, your saved pins will remain in your account under “Saved” locations. You can always go back and revisit or rename them.
Yes, you can drop a pin on a business. However, most businesses already have a listing on Google Maps. In such cases, it’s more efficient to tap the business name and use the provided options to share or save it.
After you drop a pin, tap on the location’s name or address at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see an option to “Label” it. Give it a custom name like “Home,” “Favorite Cafe,” or “Parking Spot” to make it easier to find later.
Yes. Once labeled or saved, your dropped pins appear in the “Saved” tab of Google Maps, often under categories like “Starred places” or your custom list. You can access these anytime by tapping your profile icon and selecting “Your places.”
Not directly in Street View, but here’s a trick: Drop a pin on the map first, then switch to Street View to explore the location at street level. It’s a great way to virtually check out a destination before visiting.
Dropped pins are generally very accurate—within a few meters. The precision depends on your GPS signal, device type, and internet connectivity. It’s perfect for marking exact locations in parks, fields, or busy streets.
Yes, you can drop a pin anywhere on the map, including a spot where someone has shared their location with you. Just tap and hold on the map near their location to mark it for directions or sharing.
About the Writer
Mandeep Singh Chahal
Founder/CEO, Mandy Web Design
Mandeep Singh Chahal is the proud Founder/CEO of Mandy Web Design. After completing his graduation from Punjab University, Mr. Mandeep started gaining experience in SEO, Digital Marketing, Web Designing, and Business Development. His years of experience have earned him a reputed Web Design Company – Mandy Web Design.