How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps

This article explains in detail how to drop map location pins on a computer or a phone/mobile device.

How to Drop a Pin from Your Desktop

A Google Maps pin is a marker you can use to identify a location within Google Maps. It allows others to locate the place using GPS coordinates rather than a street address. You can use pins to assist with driving directions to off-street sites. Follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser and navigate to Google Maps.

2. In the Search Google Maps field, enter an address or area to narrow your location.

3. Using your mouse, drag or zoom to view an even narrower area.

4. Right-click on the spot where you want to drop the pin, and select Directions to here from the menu.

5. In the Choose a starting point field, enter a starting address. Driving (or walking) directions will appear as usual in Google Maps.

6. To share the directions, select the three-bar icon in the left menu screen to open the Google Maps menu, then choose Share or embed map.

7. Use the social media links to share the pin or select copy link and paste it into an email.

8. To remove the pin, right-click on it, and choose Remove this destination from the menu.

How to Drop a Pin on Your Phone

Follow these steps to create a Google Maps pin using your Apple or Android phone.

1. Open Google Maps.

2. Type an address in the search field, or scroll to find the location you want.

3. Tap and hold in the exact location to create the map pin. Zoom in if necessary.

4. To create directions, tap Directions. Then, in the Your location field, type in the starting location. Driving directions will appear as usual.

5. Select the three-dot menu icon and choose Share Directions to share with a contact.

6. To remove the pin, click the X in the search field.