If you’ve ever struggled to find an exact location or needed to save a place for later, dropping a pin in Google Maps is the easiest way to do it. As a regular user of this web mapping service offered by Google, I can vouch that it is 100% effective when addresses are unclear or when you need to mark a spot that isn’t listed.
This becomes even more important when you realise that 55% of Australian local businesses haven’t claimed their Google Business Profile listing.
Source: Red Search
In such cases, you can pin the location once and return to it whenever needed, instead of wasting your time searching it. If you’re unsure about the process or have any confusion, I’ll help you learn how to drop a pin on Google Maps on mobile and desktop.
How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps Desktop?
Most people prefer to use Google Maps on their smartphones but often ask “how do i drop a pin in Google Maps while using a Desktop.” Below are the steps that you can follow on a Windows PC:
Step 1: Go to the Google Maps homepage.
Step 2: Search for the specific location on the map you want to place the dropped pin.
Step 3: Now, right click on the exact location and choose “What’s Here?.”
Source: Google Maps
Step 4: Once you click “What’s here?” a grey pin will appear on the map with the information box pop up at the bottom of the screen.
Source: Google Maps
Step 5: Click the “information box” and a new panel will appear on the left-hand side of the screen containing all relevant information.
Source: Google Maps
Step 6: Tap the “navigation icon” in the info box to get directions to the dropped pin. If you need more details, tap anywhere else in the box to see additional information about the location.
That’s it. You can now visit this place when you want!
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Pro tip: If you need to drop a pin on your current location instantly, just tap the blue dot on the map. This opens the location menu, where you can tap Save to store the pin for easy access later. |
How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps Mobile (Android and iOS)
Dropping a pin on Google Maps using your mobile is simple and takes just a few seconds. Depending upon the OS of your phone, the steps can slightly vary. Worry not, I’ve covered both devices.
How Do You Drop a Pin on Google Maps on Android
If you’re using an Android device, follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch the “Google Maps app” on your Android device.
Step 2: Use the “search bar” to enter the address or scroll through the map to find the exact spot where you want to drop the pin.
Step 3: Press and hold the location on the map where you want to place the pin. A “red pin” will appear, marking the spot.
Step 4: An “information box” will appear at the bottom of the screen, displaying the address or coordinates of the pinned location.
How Do You Drop a Pin on Google Maps on iOS
To learn how to drop pins on a Google Map while using an iOS device, follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch the “Google Maps app” on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Enter the address in the search bar or move around the map to “locate the exact spot” where you wish to drop the pin.
Step 3: Tap and hold the desired location on the map until a “red pin” appears.
Step 4: An “information box” will pop up at the bottom, showing the address or coordinates of the pinned spot.
How to Save and Label Pins for Future Reference?
Saving and labelling pins in Google Maps allows you to organise and quickly access your favourite locations. Here’s how you can do it:
On Mobile Devices (Android and iOS):
To save and label a dropped pin on a smartphone regardless of OS, follow these steps:
- Launch the “Google Maps” app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Search for the place you want to save by entering its name or address in the search bar or navigate to it manually on the map.
- Drop a “Pin” using the steps mentioned above.
- Tap the information box that appears at the bottom of the screen, then tap the “Save” button.
- Select an existing list like “Favorites,” “Want to go,” or “Starred places” or create a new list by tapping “New list.”
- To “Add a Label” tap Label and enter a name (e.g., “Friend’s House”).
On Desktop
On a desktop, follow these steps:
- Go to Google Maps in your web browser.
- Enter the desired location in the search bar or navigate to it on the map.
- “Drop a Pin” following the steps discussed earlier.
- Click the “Save” button in the information box.
- Choose an existing list or click “New list” to create and name a new one.
- Enter the name of your choice and click “Create.”
| Pro tip: Sharing a specific location on Google Maps is straightforward. On your mobile device, open the Google Maps app, locate the desired spot and press and hold to drop a pin. An information box will appear at the bottom; tap it, then select the “Share” option. |
How to Drop Multiple Pins on Your Desktop?
After dropping multiple pins and saving them, you’ll find out that viewing them all simultaneously isn’t straightforward. Google Maps typically displays one pinned location at a time, making it challenging to see how your saved places relate to each other geographically.
To visualise all your pins on a single map, you can create a custom map using Google My Maps. Want to know how it works? Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit “Google Maps.”
Step 2: Click “Saved” from the left and go to “Maps.” Then, open “Open my maps”
Step 3: Click on “CREATE A NEW MAP” to rename your map and provide a description if desired.
Step 4: Use the search bar or locate a place you want to add.
Step 5: Click “Add to map” to place a pin on that location.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 4 and 5 to add more locations to your map.
Step 7: To see the locations together on the Map, click “Preview.” You’ll see all pinned places marked in blue as shown in the image.
To customise a pin, click the paint bucket icon next to the location name and choose a colour or icon.
How to Delete Dropped Pins?
Removing a pin from Google Maps can vary slightly depending on the device and whether the pin is temporary or saved. Here’s how you can delete a pin:
Removing Temporary Pins on On Desktop:
- Locate the pin on the map.
- Right-click on the pin and select “Remove this destination” from the context menu.
Removing Saved Pins on Desktop:
- Click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner and select “Your places”.
- Navigate to the appropriate list containing the saved pin. I have one saved in “Favorites” as you can see.
- Click the three-dot menu next to the list name and select “Edit list”.
- Click the “X” icon next to the location you want to delete.
- When you have to remove one of the multiple pins added, just right click on the pin and go to the information box on the left. Right click on the destination and click the delete button available at the right of the options available.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Pin Drop on Google Maps
Can you customise the appearance of dropped pins?
Yes, in Google My Maps, you can change the colour and icon of each pin. After adding a location, click the pin in the left panel then select the paint bucket icon to choose a colour or icon that makes it easier to recognise different locations.
How do you stop accidental pin drops on Google Maps?
Accidental pin drops happen when tapping or clicking on the map. Google Maps does not have a setting to disable this so if this becomes an issue, tapping anywhere else on the map or pressing the back button removes the unwanted pin.
Can you make dropped pins draggable on Google Maps?
If you are using Google Maps JavaScript API, you can enable draggable markers. This feature lets you move pins to different locations on a custom map. To activate it, set the draggable property to true when creating a marker in your map’s code.
Final Thoughts
Dropping pins in Google Maps is a straightforward process that enhances your navigation experience. By following the steps given above on drop pins on Google Maps you can accurately mark, save and share locations, making your journeys more efficient. When it’s about planning a trip or meeting friends at a new spot, this feature ensures you reach your destination with ease.
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