How a Dropped Pin in Google Maps Makes Life Easier

Everybody has been there, wandering around an area to find a business that will not show up in your search. A Dropped Pin in Google Maps will feel like a miracle in those moments. It is a feature that we do not often think much about until we really need to use it.

From finding hidden cafes to remembering where I liked to watch sunsets, I have dropped a pin dozens of times. It is a feature that has made life easier for me, whether I have been on a trip away overseas or just trying to locate a food truck "somewhere around that bridge." Let's look at what it is, how it works, and why you may want to start utilizing it a lot more.

What Is a Dropped Pin?

A Dropped Pin in Google Maps is exactly what you expect, a virtual pin that you can drop anywhere on your map. It does not require an address and is great for marking exact locations such as hiking trails, beachfront sections, or rural roads.

And to add to the convenience, once you drop a pin, you can save, share, or get directions to that location without hassle.

How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps?

It will shock you how many people Google "how to drop a pin on Google Maps." Hopefully, this will help. Here’s the short version:

On Mobile: Open Google Maps. Long press on where you want to drop the pin. A red pin will appear! Tap the location card to find more options!

On Desktop: Click on A place on the map. A grey pin drops and the info appears at the bottom. You can save from here or share!!

So, if you are saying, "Hey, meet me at this dropped pin near me" or just saving a future travel destination, it's just a tap away. Organizing and Finding Pin Locations on Maps Dropped pins don’t just disappear. If you save or mark them, you can find them in Your Places > Maps in the app or in the browser. You can even create your own custom maps full of your pinned destinations, just like your own city guide!

Tip: Categorize locations into types: “coffee places,” “photo ops,” or “parking.”

How to Remove a Dropped Pin in Google Maps?

We’ve all mishandled a map and accidentally dropped a pin. Don’t stress. Here’s how to delete a pin on Google Maps:

Mobile: Tap on your dropped pin and click the “X” on the top right corner.

Desktop: Click elsewhere or right-click, then choose “X”

When to use a Dropped pin (Examples using it in real life)

Here are just a few examples of how I’ve used Dropped Pins in Google Maps in real life:

1. Keeping track of where I parked in a huge mall parking lot.

2. Dropping pins while on a road trip, especially when there is no address to remember.

3. Marking the exact meeting place during an event or festival.

4. Scouting new places for photography, especially hidden scenic ones.

Pro Tip: Ever need to meet up with a friend at a place that's difficult to explain? Just say "Check this dropped pin at my location" and send them the link.

Troubleshooting: When Pins Don't Work

Sometimes your map can bug out and the pins won't stick or load. A quick troubleshooting tip is to flush cache from your app. When you flush cache, you clear temporary files and sometimes bugs will be resolved.

Settings > Apps > Google Maps > Storage > Clear cache

Final Words

Using a dropped pin in Google Maps can make your life easier in little but big ways. Whether in travel or daily life, it is extremely useful in ways that are more than you think. Now that you know how to drop a pin (and properly remove it), you are all set.