# How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps in 2026 (Phone and Web) *Published:* 2026-01-02 *Author:* Farzan Hussain 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](https://support.google.com/maps/). 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. 1#### Open Google Maps Android app or maps.google.com on the web. 2. 2#### Long-press the spot On Android, long-press the map. On web, right-click. 3. 3#### See the pin card A red pin and a place card appear at the bottom. 4. 4#### Tap Share Choose Messages, WhatsApp, email, or any sharing app. 5. 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. #### How we put this guide together The picks and steps in this guide reflect what works on current Android builds. Our editors test [apps](https://bestforandroid.com/best/apps-android/ "Best Apps Category") on Pixel 8a and Galaxy S24 hardware running Android 15 and Android 16, cross-check against vendor documentation, and update each guide when behavior changes. ### Related on BestForAndroid - [The Best GPS Navigation Apps and Google Maps Alternatives for Android](https://bestforandroid.com/navigation-apps/) - [How to Use Google Maps and Waze Without an Internet Connection](https://bestforandroid.com/waze-google-maps-offline-save-data/) - [How to Use Android Messages on the Web (Messages.google.com Full Guide)](https://bestforandroid.com/android-messages-for-web/) - [100 Google Assistant Commands To Have Fun](https://bestforandroid.com/google-assistant-commands/)