How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps in 2026 (Phone and Web)

Dropping a pin in Google Maps is one of those tiny features people use every week without ever fully learning. the gesture is slightly different on Android 14 and 15, the share-with-friends flow added some new options, and Maps web finally got feature parity. Three minutes here saves a lot of confused texts later.

Below is the canonical 2026 walkthrough: drop a pin on Android, drop a pin on the web, share it with friends, and the under-known Maps features for saving pins for later trips.

TL;DR

The pick: The pick on Android: long-press anywhere on the Maps screen to drop a red pin, tap the result card, share via the share button.

Runner-up: Runner-up on web: right-click anywhere on maps.google.com, then copy the coordinates or share the location URL.

Skip if: Skip if you only need to share your current location once. Just tap the blue dot, share, and choose a duration.

For a deeper reference, see Google Maps’ official Help Center.

Drop a pin on the Maps Android app

Open Maps on Android. Tap and hold any spot on the map until a red pin drops. The card at the bottom shows the coordinates and any nearby business name. Tap Share to send the pin to a friend via Messages, WhatsApp, email, or any sharing app installed on your phone. Tap Save to add it to a list (Want to go, Favourites, or a custom list).

Drop a pin on Google Maps web

At maps.google.com, right-click any spot on the map. The first option in the menu shows the coordinates; click it to copy the lat-long pair, or click Directions from here, Directions to here, or What’s here for the place card. The web also has a Share option that copies a short google.com/maps/place URL.

Share your current live location

Tap your blue dot on Maps, then tap Share location. Choose a duration (15 minutes to 24 hours, or until you turn it off) and a recipient. Live location updates in real time and the recipient can navigate to you. Works across Android, iOS, and the recipient’s web browser; recipients without Google accounts get a public link.

Drop a pin in directions mode

From the Directions screen, you can drop a custom pin as a waypoint along the route. Tap the destination, then tap Add stop, then long-press the map at the waypoint location. Useful for adding a coffee stop or a gas station along a road trip.

Save the pin for later

On the pin card, tap Save and choose a list: Favourites, Want to go, Starred, or any custom list. Saved pins sync to your Google account across all signed-in devices. Lists can be shared with collaborators, which is the canonical way to coordinate a trip itinerary with travel partners.

The setup, step by step

1
Open Google Maps

Android app or maps.google.com on the web.
2
Long-press the spot

On Android, long-press the map. On web, right-click.
3
See the pin card

A red pin and a place card appear at the bottom.
4
Tap Share

Choose Messages, WhatsApp, email, or any sharing app.
5
Tap Save

Add it to a list for later. Lists sync across devices.

FAQ

Why does my pin not show coordinates?

If you long-pressed inside an established business or named place, Maps shows the place name instead of coordinates. Pinch to zoom in tighter and long-press on the empty street to get the lat-long pair.

Can the recipient open the pin if they do not use Maps?

Yes. Sharing creates a google.com/maps/place URL that opens in any browser. Apple Maps and waze can also follow the link to render the same coordinates.

How long does live location stay visible?

The duration you set: 15 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or until you manually stop. Maps sends a final notification when sharing ends so you do not forget.

Can I drop a pin offline?

Yes, if you have downloaded the area for offline use. The pin works inside the offline area; sharing requires connectivity to generate the URL.

Bottom line

Dropping a pin on Google Maps is a three-second gesture that solves more text-message confusion than almost any other feature on Android. Long-press, share, optionally save to a list. Learn the live-location option for the cases where you are en route and the recipient needs to follow you.