How to Drop a Pin in Apple Maps on iPhone and iPad

Put a pin in Apple Maps to find and share locations

by
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
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Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications.
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Jennifer Allen
Updated on May 05, 2020
A person is holding an iPhone next to a traditional map. The iPhone displays the Maps app.

Brook Pifer / Getty Images

Placing a pin on a location in the Maps app on Apple iOS devices makes it easier to get where you want to go. You can share your exact location with your contacts, or save locations for custom maps and directions.

Learn how to drop a pin on your iPhone so that you are never lost.

Instructions in this article apply to Apple iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 and later.

How to Drop a Pin on Apple Maps

To pin a location on Apple Maps using your iPhone:

  1. Launch Maps from the iPhone Home screen. The screen opens to your current location with a blue pin highlighting where you currently are.

  2. Tap and hold the location where you want to drop a pin.

    Maps icon, marker, dropped pin in iOS Maps

    If nothing shows up on the screen, you may need to zoom in on the map to set a precise location.

  3. Select Edit Location to reveal a satellite image of the selected location.

  4. You can drag the image around to set the correct location of the pin, or select Done if you are satisfied with the location.

    Edit Location, Marked pin in Maps for iOS

How to Get More From Your Apple Maps Pin 

After you pin a location, swipe up on the Marked Location pane to view more options:

  • To find the fastest route to the location, select Directions. The iPhone determines if the location is near enough for you to walk or if it needs to provide instructions for driving or public transit.
  • To send the location to a new or existing contact on your iPhone contacts list, select Create New Contact or Add to Existing Contact. 
Directions button, Create New/Add to Existing Contact in iOS Maps

To remove a marked location, press and hold the pin and select Remove Marker.

How to Save Pins as Favorites on Apple Maps

If you want to use a pinned location in the future, save the marked location to the Maps app by adding it to your Favorites. This makes it easier to locate.

  1. In the Maps app, select the pin.

  2. Swipe up on the Marked Location pane.

  3. Select Add to Favorites. The name of the location will default to the nearest address or landmark.

In iOS 11 and 12 you would be prompted to name the location upon adding it to Favorites. With iOS 13, you must change the name from the Favorite Locations menu.

Favorite button, Save button, Saved location in iOS Maps

How to View Favorite Locations in Maps on iPhone

To see the locations you've marked as favorites:

  1. Swipe up on the search bar at the bottom of the Apple Maps screen.

  2. Next to the Favorites, select See All.

  3. Select a location to display it on the map. Select the Info icon to edit the location, including its name.

    Search field, Favorites places, Favorites tag in iOS Maps

How to Share Pins

It's possible to share your location and dropped pins with friends. The Share option is in the same screen as the Favorite option.

  1. Tap a pin or select a Favorite Location.

  2. Swipe up on the Marked Location pane.

  3. Select Share.

  4. Select Message to send an iMessage or SMS text message that has the location and direction details attached.

    Marked location, Share button, Message button in iOS Maps