How to place a pin on Google Maps

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It’s almost impossible to get around a new place without Google Maps. But have you ever found yourself in a situation where Google Maps didn’t know what you were looking for?

It’s probably because the address was wrong, it hasn’t been mapped yet, or maybe it’s an off-road location. This is why placing a marker on Google Maps can be immensely useful.

In this article, we will show you how to use this feature correctly and get the most out of it on both your mobile device and your computer.

How to place a pin on Google Maps on iOS and Android devices

When typing the address into the Google Maps search box isn’t enough, you need to zoom in or out a little with your fingers to find the location you’re looking for.

Once you find it, or at least its surroundings, dropping a pin is the next step. The process of setting a location on Google Maps is the same on Android and iOS devices. And this is how it works:

1. Open the Google Maps app on your device.
   
2. You can enter a location and then search the area around the pin that appears. Or, if you’re looking for a place nearby, you can start searching manually.
   
3. Once you’re looking at the right spot on the screen, zoom in as much as possible.
   
4. Tap the location where you want to place a marker and hold it for a moment.
   
5. A pin will appear under your finger. And at the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a panel with a variety of options.
   

Important note: There is a slight difference between Google Maps on iOS and Android devices. When you drop a pin, the panel that appears appears to have fewer options on the Android version of the app. But just touch the panel to show all the possibilities.

How to enter a PIN in Google Maps on Windows, Mac or Chromebook PC

Some people tend to use Google Maps on their mobile devices more frequently. And when you go out and look for a location, the app can be your best ally.

However, if you want to search for a location before you go out, you can do so using Google Maps on your computer.

Regardless of the device, Windows PC, Mac or Chromebook, the steps are the same. So this is what you should do:

1. Open Google Maps on your computer. If you’re not sure where to find it, just click this link.
   
2. Enter the approximate location in the Google Maps search box or zoom in on the location you want to pin with your mouse.
   
3. When you find the location you’re looking for, click on it and the pin will appear under your mouse cursor.
   
4. A pop-up box will appear at the bottom of the screen, showing the coordinates, as well as the street or marked location closest to the one you have chosen.
   

Note:
You can pin anywhere on Google Maps. Including an entire city if you wish.

How to open a pin placed on WhatsApp in Google Maps from an iOS or Android device

One of the most practical uses of the Google Maps pin feature is that you can send someone a pinned location.

There are several messaging applications that you can use directly on Google Maps and WhatsApp is one of them. Let’s say you’re having trouble finding a location on Google Maps, but you know a friend who knows how to find it.

The friend can place a pin on their end and share this information with you on WhatsApp. If you’ve never received a dropped pin like that before, you may be wondering what to do next. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to the particular message.
   
2. The Google Maps link you received will say “Pin removed” and below it the nearest street or location. It will also have a small Google Maps image and the coordinates.
   
3. Click the link located directly below the “Pin removed” location.
   
4. You will be redirected from WhatsApp to the Google Maps app on your phone. If Google Maps is disabled, the link will open in your phone’s default browser.
5. When Google Maps starts, you will be able to see the pin placed in question. When you click on it, a pop-up menu will appear where you can perform further actions.
   

Using the WhatsApp web portal

WhatsApp is most commonly used as a text messaging phone app, but people can also use WhatsApp Web. You can even download it to your computer.

However, you will need to have your phone connected to the Internet at the same time. So if you’re using WhatsApp on your computer and someone sends you a message with a pin, you can open it in a browser. That is how:

1. Go to the WhatsApp Website portal or launch the WhatsApp desktop messaging app on your computer.
   
2. Click on the Google Maps link you received.
   
3. Another tab will open in your browser and you will be able to see the pin placed exactly as it was created by the person who sent the link.
   

How to share a dropped pin from Google Maps

Now you know exactly what happens when someone sends you a pin via WhatsApp or any other messaging app. But let’s say you dropped a pin and need to resend it to someone else. Let’s explore your options.

On iOS and Android devices

Once you’ve dropped a pin, you do several things. One of them is to share the set location with another person. So when you click on the pin and the popup panel appears, here’s what you do:

1. Click on the “Share place” option.
   
2. You can type the name of the person you want to share with and email them directly. Or you can select one of the applications. SMS, WhatsApp and others with which Google Maps is compatible.
   
3. You will be redirected to the chosen application and from there you will search for the contact and then press the “Send” button.
   

On Windows, Mac and Chromebook

The process is relatively similar. Once you have found the location and placed the marker, a panel will appear on the left side of the screen. From there, follow these steps:

1. Click the “Share” button, which is last in the row of options.
   
2. A pop-up screen will appear and you will see several options.
   
3. You can send the link via Facebook or Twitter. Or you can select the “Copy link” option and then forward the link in other ways.
   
4. You can also choose to embed the map by changing the tab from “Send a link” to “Embed a map”.
   

How to save and tag a dropped pin in Google Maps

Another very handy feature you can use when placing a marker on Google Maps is to tag it. What this essentially means is that you are saving the dropped pin for later.

You don’t want to have to search for it all again, especially if it took you a while. This option is very similar to the “Save” option in Google Maps, but there are some differences.

The “Save” feature is available in both the mobile app and Google Maps on your computer. In contrast, tagging a fallen marker is only available in the Google Maps app. The idea is that you tag a location that you may not have visited yet and that you’re not sure is 100% correct.

While with saved locations, the idea is to save the places you plan to visit or go to constantly. So, this is how you can tag a fallen marker in Google Maps:

1. Open Google Maps on your phone and tap the dropped marker.
   
2. In a pop-up menu, select “Label.”
   
3. In the “Add a tag” option, enter the name of your tag.
   
4. Google Maps will offer some suggestions, but you can choose whatever you want.
   

Once you have entered your tag name, a small blue flag will appear on the map with the name you have selected.

How to save a dropped pin on Windows, Mac and Chromebook

When you place a pin in Google Maps on your computer, you can proceed to save it. The process is simple and goes:

1. Click on the dropped pin with the cursor.
   
2. In the panel on the left side of the screen, select the “Save” button.
   
3. From the drop-down menu, choose how you want to save it. Like your favorite, with a star, or you can create a new custom list based on your needs.
   

How to remove a dropped pin

Knowing how to place a marker on Google Maps is a useful skill, but what do you do if you place a marker in the wrong location? These mistakes happen to everyone and are very easy to fix. This is how you can remove a fallen marker on Google Maps:

On iOS and Android devices

If your fingers were too fast and you dropped the wrong pin, here’s how to remove it:

1. Click on the dropped pin.
   
2. Before taking any other action, click the “X” in the search box next to the coordinates.
   
3. The dropped marker will immediately disappear from the phone screen and you can start again.
   

On Windows, Mac and Chromebook

A pin can be dropped by mistake even on a large screen. Here’s how you can fix it:

1. Click on the dropped pin.
   
2. In the pop-up box at the bottom of the screen, select “X” in the upper right corner.
   
3. The dropped pin will disappear instantly.
   

Place pins with Google Maps

Google Maps has so many unique and convenient features that many people have come to rely on it quite a bit. But there are times when it can’t guide you exactly where you want to go and you may have to search for the place yourself.

Fortunately, the pin feature makes everything much easier. You can research the routes yourself and save the marker if it turns out you’re on the right path. Also, don’t forget that sending and receiving dropped pins with WhatsApp is a quick way to share the location you’ve found.