How to Drop & Share a Pin in Google Maps (2023)

Millions of people around the world depend on Google Maps for navigating and discovering places and businesses, and a convenient feature many users may not be aware of is the ability to drop a pin on the map and share it with someone.

This feature comes in handy when users want to share a location that isn’t listed on Google Maps, such as a private residence. Provided users drop a pin correctly, the other person will be able to view the exact location shared on Google Maps.

As good as Google Maps is, not every location is perfectly mappable in the app. Sometimes, where Google thinks you want to go might be miles away from where you actually want to go (this happens often to anyone trying to find the entrance to a national park). Or a new attraction might not be listed at all. This is where the pin feature comes in handy.

You can drop a pin anywhere in Google Maps, and a pinned location can be saved and shared with anyone using a simple link. Dropped pins behave like a regular location on Google Maps, so you can start navigation to one of them effortlessly. Here’s how to drop and share pins.

How to drop a pin in Google Maps on your smartphone

The steps for dropping a pin on Google Maps are the same on iPhone and Android. Open Google Maps, and find the location on the map where you want to drop the pin. Zoom in as much as possible, so that you can see the location clearly.

Tap on the spot where you wish to drop the pin, and it will appear. Now, tap on the pin to see more about the location, including an address, coordinates, and street view images (if available).

You can tap Directions to choose a method of transportation to the pin, or tap Start to skip right to navigating. You can also save the location to a list, or share the dropped pin location using the share menu.

How to drop a pin in Google Maps on your computer

Google Maps also offers the ability to save a dropped pin and easily access it later. The process to do this is the same, whether it’s a person dropping a pin on Maps or someone opening a link to a dropped pin. With the pin location displayed on the Google Maps app, tap ‘Save.’

Choose to save to one of the available lists, or create a new one. Add a note about the location if required. Tap ‘Finished’ to save it. When Google Maps is opened again, the location will now be accessible by tapping on ‘Saved’ in the menu at the bottom of the screen.

You can also drop a pin on the Google Maps website on your computer. After opening Google Maps in your browser, pan around the map until you find the right place. You can zoom in using the trackpad or the mouse wheel. When you find the place, simply click once using your mouse, and you’ll see a gray pin appear on the screen.

Along with a pin, you’ll see a small info box appear at the bottom. You can click the blue directions button to pull up navigation directions, or hit the share icon to send the pin to someone or embed the map in a site. You can also click the pin again to perform a search of things near that location.

How do I share location on iPhone?

• Share with people
• Open the Find My app and select the People tab.
• Tap the Add button .
• Select Share My Location.
• Enter the name or phone number of the person that you want to share your location with.
• Select Send.
• Choose to share your location for One Hour, Until End of Day, or Share Indefinitely.

How do I drop a pin to someone?

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.

Why is location sharing not working on Google Maps iPhone?

Check If Location Setting Is Enabled Completely

If Google Maps location sharing not updating on your iPhone, we suggest that you have a check if your Location Setting is all enabled: Settings > Privacy > Make sure Location Services is On. Tap Google Maps > make sure that Precise Location is turn on.

How do I save a pin from Google Maps?

On the map, go to your location of choice and press and hold your finger down on that location. You should then see a red pin appear next to the location. To save your location, scroll through the options and click on Save. Click on the list where you want to save it.

How accurate is location sharing on Google Maps?

Network location can be off by many miles depending on the density of cell towers on the location. The only time that Google Location history can record accurate location while indoor is if the house has a Wi-Fi hotspot and the Wi-Fi is recorded in Google’s database.

How do I share location on Android?

Share Your Google Maps Location on Android or iOS

• Sign into Google Maps, tap your profile picture/initial > Location sharing > New share.
• Choose how long to share (from 15 minutes to one day, or “Until you turn this off”).
• Select the people you want to share your location with.
• Tap Share.