Adding a pin marks a location you want to remember or share
A pin in Google Maps is a marker you place on the map to save a specific location. Once you add a pin, you can name it, get directions to it, share it with others, or come back to it later. The process is the same whether you are using Google Maps on your phone or computer — you tap or click the location, then confirm you want to save it.
Pins stay in your Google account, so they sync across all your devices. If you add a pin on your phone, you will see it on your computer, and vice versa. This makes pins useful for marking places you plan to visit, remembering where you parked, or sharing a meeting spot with someone else.
Key Takeaways
- On a phone, long-press the map at the location where you want a pin; on a computer, right-click the map at that spot.
- A red pin appears when ready, and you can name it by tapping or clicking the pin and selecting "Edit label" or "Name this place".
- Pins save to your Google account automatically and appear on all your devices where you are signed in.
- You can share a pin with others by tapping or clicking the pin and selecting the share option, which creates a link they can open.
- Pins you add stay on your map until you delete them; they do not disappear after a set time.
How to add a pin on your phone
Open Google Maps and find the location where you want to place a pin. You can search for an address, a business name, or an intersection — or straightforward scroll and zoom until you see the spot on the map. Once you can see the location, long-press (press and hold) that spot on the map for about two seconds.
A red pin will drop at that location, and a card will appear at the bottom of your screen showing the address or location name. The pin is now saved. If you want to name it something specific, tap the card at the bottom, then tap "Edit label" or "Name this place" (the exact wording depends on your phone's version of Google Maps). Type the name you want — for example, "Mom's house" or "Best coffee shop" — and tap the checkmark or "Save" button.
How to add a pin on your computer
Go to Google Maps in your web browser and search for or navigate to the location where you want a pin. Right-click the exact spot on the map where you want the pin to appear. A menu will pop up with several options; select "Add a label" or "Add a pin" (the wording varies slightly by browser and Google Maps version).
A red pin will appear at that location, and a text box will open asking you to name it. Type the name you want to give the pin and press Enter or click outside the box. The pin is now saved to your account. If you want to edit the name later, click the pin and select "Edit label" from the options that appear.
Naming and organizing your pins
When you first add a pin, Google Maps may assign it a generic name like "Saved place" or the address itself. You can change this to anything you want. On your phone, tap the pin and select "Edit label"; on your computer, click the pin and select "Edit label" from the menu. Type a new name and save it.
You can have as many pins as you want, and there is no limit to how many you can save. If you want to keep your pins organized, use clear names that tell you why you saved that location — for example, "Dentist appointment Friday" or "Parking spot" rather than just "Location 1". This makes it easier to find the pin you need later.
Sharing a pin with someone else
Once you have added a pin, you can share it with friends, family, or colleagues. On your phone, tap the pin, then tap the share icon (usually three dots or a square with an arrow pointing out). Select the app or contact you want to share it with — you can send it via text, email, or any messaging app on your phone.
On your computer, click the pin and look for a share icon or link option. Click it, and Google Maps will create a shareable link to that location. You can copy this link and paste it into an email, message, or document. Anyone who clicks the link will see the pin on their own Google Maps, even if they do not have the pin saved in their account.
Deleting or moving a pin
If you no longer need a pin, you can delete it. On your phone, tap the pin and look for a trash icon or "Delete" option in the menu. On your computer, click the pin and select "Delete" or the trash icon. The pin will be removed from your map when ready.
If you added a pin in the wrong location, you do not have to delete it and start over. On your phone, long-press the pin and drag it to the correct location, then release it. On your computer, click and drag the pin to move it. The name stays the same; only the location changes.
Viewing all your saved pins
All the pins you add are stored in your Google Maps account. On your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left, then tap "Your places" or "Saved". You will see a list of all your pins and other saved locations. Tap any pin to view it on the map or get directions to it.
On your computer, click the menu icon at the top left and select "Your places". Click the "Saved" tab to see all your pins. From here, you can view, edit, delete, or get directions to any pin. You can also organize pins into lists if your version of Google Maps supports this feature — this is useful if you have many pins and want to group them by type, such as "Restaurants to try" or "Weekend hikes".
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a pin without searching for an address?
Yes. You can scroll and zoom on the map to any location you want, then long-press (on phone) or right-click (on computer) that exact spot. A pin will drop there even if there is no business or address name at that location. This is useful for marking a parking spot, a hiking trailhead, or any unmarked location.
Will my pins show up on someone else's map if I share my account?
No. Your pins are private to your account. If you share your Google account login with someone, they will see your pins when they sign in as you, but they will not appear on their own account. To share a specific pin with someone, use the share feature to send them a link instead.
What happens to my pins if I sign out of Google Maps?
Your pins stay saved in your Google account. When you sign back in on any device, your pins will reappear. They do not disappear or expire — they remain until you delete them manually.
Can I add a pin to a location that is not yet on Google Maps?
Yes. You can add a pin to any spot on the map, whether or not Google Maps has a business listing or address there. However, if you want to report a missing business or location to Google, you can use the "Add a place" feature in Google Maps, which is different from adding a personal pin.
How do I find a pin I added a long time ago?
Go to "Your places" (on phone) or "Your places" > "Saved" (on computer) to see a list of all your pins. You can scroll through the list or search for the pin by name. If you remember the general area, you can also zoom to that region on the map and look for the red pin.