How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps [Android|iOS|PC]

Right from the time the curtains were lifted off it, Google Maps has been a revelation in the online travel-guide scenario. Given its ease of use, detailed and authentic information provided by it, it was only natural for the netizens to immediately take a liking to the new Google app on the tech block. Though it is primarily known and used for getting directions to travel from point X to point Y, it does more than just that. Apart from showing the user, customized routes based on his or her travel mode, and the probable time needed for the journey, it also has several features that make traveling smooth and hassle-free. Google Maps pins are one such feature.

What can you do with a pin on Google Maps?

To get the motivation to learn how to drop a pin on Google Maps, we will be starting off with what can be done with a dropped pin. Then we will be discussing the uses of a pin on Google Maps. After that, the detailed steps of dropping a pin on Google Maps on various platforms will be discussed.

Saving a pinned location

Once you know how to drop a pin on Google Maps on a location of your choice, you might want to save the pinned location for later use. Google Maps allows you to do so. 

You can save the pinned location by clicking on the location that pops up on your screen once you drop a pin. Tap on the save button, and the location gets saved. Once you save a location, you can access it from all your devices.

Using a dropped pin for directions 

Providing directions is the primary function of Google Maps, and the simple way in which it does so greatly contributes to its popularity going through the roof. However, if you do not know the address of a particular location, then pins come in handy while getting directions.

A user can drop a pin and use its location as the starting point or as the ending point. Unfortunately, Google Maps does not allow users to drop pins at two locations and get directions from one to the other. In case both the starting and ending addresses are unknown, one can drop a pin at the starting point, note down its location, then drop a pin at the ending point, and then get directions from the starting location to the dropped pin.

Sharing a pinned location

You can share a pinned location with any other user from your phone or your desktop. There are multiple ways you can share a pinned location from your desktop.

1. You can copy the automatically generated link for the location and then paste it and share it with other users.
2. You can also share the location on Facebook by clicking on the Facebook icon.
3. You can tweet your location by clicking on the twitter option.
4. You can embed the map on a webpage using the HTML code.

If you wish to share the location from your phone, the only option you have is to use your phone’s in-built share option. Before knowing how to drop a pin on Google Maps, let us see what use pins have.

How does a dropped pin make our lives easier?

• A user can drop a pin on a particular location and share it with other users or save it to his or her profile for use in the future. Details of how to do all these will be discussed later on in this blog.
• A pin on Google Maps is particularly useful when the location you are looking for is off the road network or doesn’t have a particular address.
• One can also use this feature to point out the location of one’s business on Google Maps.

Having known its uses, let us now move on to learning how to drop a pin on Google Maps. We will be discussing the steps individually for the Android and iOS platforms and also for desktops.

How to drop a pin on Google Maps on an Android device

If you are one among the billions of users of Android devices, then this section for you. A pin can be dropped on Google Maps on an Android device by following the below-said steps.

• First, you will need to open up the Google Maps app.
• Next, find the location on which you want to drop your pin by searching for its address or scrolling around the map.
• Once you have found out the location, long press on it to drop a pin.
• You will see the address or location pop up at the bottom of your screen.
• You can then tap on it to share it, save it, or add a label to it.

How to drop a pin on Google Maps on an iOS device

If you are using an iOS device, or an iPhone to be more precise, then the steps to drop a pin on Google Maps is the same as the ones for doing it on an Android device.

• Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Find the location to drop your pin by searching for its address or scrolling around the map.
• Once you have found out the location, long press on it to drop a pin.
• You will see the address or location pop up at the bottom of your screen.
• You can then tap on it to share it, save it, or add a label to it.

How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps on a Desktop

Though it is not so popular, a pin can also be dropped on Google maps on a desktop of any operating system. The process of doing so is slightly different than those on mobile devices. Let us see how.

• First, you will need to visit the Google Maps homepage.
• Then, find the location on which you want to place the pin. 
• Left-click on the location.
• As soon as you left-click, a small grey pin icon will appear on the spot, and an information box will also appear at the bottom of the screen.
• If you click on the information box, you will be provided with options for further operations by a panel appearing on the left-hand side of the screen.

So, now that you have learned how to drop a pin on Google Maps and how to make the most of a dropped pin, you must have realized the usefulness of pins on Google Maps.