Adding a location to Google Maps on your phone or computer
You can add a location to Google Maps in two ways: by marking a place that already exists in Google's database, or by creating a custom location from anywhere on the map. If the place is a business, landmark, or address that Google knows about, you search for it and save it. If it doesn't exist yet — a new business, a hiking trailhead, your vacation rental, a parking spot you like — you create it yourself by dropping a pin on the map and filling in the details.
Google Maps stores these locations in your account, so they sync across your devices. You can organize them into lists, share them with others, and find them again by searching your saved places. Everything you save stays private unless you choose to share it.
Key Takeaways
- Search for an existing place, tap or click the name, and select "Save" to add it to your "Saved" list.
- Create a custom location by long-pressing the map on a phone or right-clicking on a computer, then selecting "Save this place".
- Saved locations appear in your account across all devices where you sign in to Google Maps.
- You can organize saved places into custom lists like "Restaurants" or "Weekend trips" for easier finding later.
- Share any saved location with others using the share button without giving them access to your entire account.
Saving an existing place on your phone
Open Google Maps and search for the place by name, address, or business type. When the location appears in the search results, tap the name or the map pin to open the place card — a panel showing the name, address, hours, photos, and reviews.
On the place card, look for the "Save" button. On Android, it appears as an outline of a bookmark icon near the top. On iPhone, it looks the same. Tap it once. The button fills in solid, and the place moves to your "Saved" list. You can now find it anytime by opening the menu (three horizontal lines), tapping "Saved", and scrolling through your saved places.
Creating a custom location on your phone
If the place does not exist in Google Maps yet, you create it by dropping a pin. Open Google Maps and navigate to the area where the location is. Long-press (press and hold) the exact spot on the map. A red pin appears, and below it you see the address or coordinates of that spot.
Tap the address bar at the bottom of the screen. A place card opens showing the coordinates. Scroll down and tap "Save this place". Choose whether to add it to your "Saved" list or to a custom list you create. Type a name for the location if you want to call it something other than the address — for example, "Grandma's house" or "Best parking spot". Tap "Save".
Saving and creating locations on your computer
In a web browser, go to Google Maps and search for the place. When it appears, click the name in the left panel or on the map. A details panel opens on the left side. Near the top, you see a bookmark icon (outline). Click it to save the place. The icon fills in, and the location is added to your saved places.
To create a custom location on a computer, right-click the exact spot on the map where you want to place it. A menu appears with the address. Click the address. A details panel opens on the left. Scroll down and click "Save this place". Choose your "Saved" list or create a new one, give the location a name if you want, and click "Save".
Organizing saved places into lists
After you save several locations, you can group them into custom lists to keep them organized. On your phone, open the menu, tap "Saved", and look for the "Lists" tab at the top. Tap the plus icon to create a new list. Name it — "Coffee shops", "Hiking trails", "Summer vacation" — and tap "Create".
Now when you save a place, you choose which list to add it to. You can also move a saved place to a different list later. Open "Saved", find the place, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Move to another list". On a computer, the process is the same: go to your saved places, find the location, click the three dots, and choose "Move to another list".
Sharing saved locations with others
You can send a saved location to another person without sharing your entire account. On your phone, open the place card (search for it or tap a saved location), and look for the "Share" button — usually a box with an arrow pointing out. Tap it. Choose how to send it: text message, email, social media, or a direct link. The recipient gets a link they can open in Google Maps or a web browser.
On a computer, open the place details panel and click the "Share" button near the top. Copy the link or choose an app to send it through. You can also customize the link to show a specific zoom level or view before you share it.
Removing a saved location
If you no longer want a place in your saved list, open it and tap or click the bookmark icon again. It returns to an outline, and the location is removed from your saved places. On a phone, you can also open "Saved", find the place, tap the three dots, and select "Remove". On a computer, right-click the location in your saved list and choose "Remove".
Removing a location from your saved places does not delete it from Google Maps — it only removes it from your personal list. You can always search for it again and save it once more if you change your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be signed in to Google to save locations?
Yes. Saved locations are stored in your Google account, so you must be signed in to Google Maps. If you are not signed in, the save button will not appear or will prompt you to sign in first. Once you sign in, your saved places sync across all your devices.
Can I save a location that does not show up in Google Maps search?
Yes. You can drop a pin anywhere on the map by long-pressing on a phone or right-clicking on a computer, even if that exact spot is not a named business or landmark. This is useful for marking trailheads, parking spots, or addresses that have not been added to Google's database yet.
What happens to my saved locations if I change my password?
Your saved locations stay in your account. They are tied to your Google account, not your password. If you change your password and stay signed in, nothing changes. If you sign out and sign back in with your new password, your saved places appear as usual.
Can I save a location on someone else's phone using their Google account?
Yes, if you are signed into their Google account on their phone, any locations you save will appear in that account. However, it is better to share the location with them directly using the share button instead, so both of you have a copy without mixing your saved places.
How many locations can I save?
Google does not publish a limit on the number of saved places. In practice, you can save thousands of locations. If you have many saved places, organizing them into lists makes them much easier to find.