Adding a pin to Google Maps takes three taps on mobile or two clicks on desktop
Open Google Maps and find the location you want to pin. On a phone, press and hold anywhere on the map until a red pin appears with the address at the bottom — that pin is now saved to your map. On a computer, right-click the spot and select "Add a label" from the menu. Either way, you can name the pin, change its color, and save it to a specific list so you find it later.
The pin stays on your map until you delete it. You can create as many pins as you want, organize them into separate lists by topic or trip, and share those lists with other people. Google Maps stores your pins in your account, so they appear on any device where you sign in.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold on mobile or right-click on desktop to create a pin at any location on the map.
- Name your pin and assign it a color so you can spot it quickly among other pins.
- Save pins to labeled lists — such as "Restaurants" or "Weekend Trip" — to keep them organized.
- Share your pin lists with friends or family by sending them a link, and they can view your pins without editing them.
- Your pins sync across all your devices as long as you are signed into the same Google account.
How to add a pin on your phone
Open the Google Maps app and navigate to the location where you want to place a pin. Press and hold your finger on the exact spot for about one second. A red pin will drop on that location, and a card will appear at the bottom of the screen showing the address or place name.
Tap the card at the bottom to open the full details page. You will see options to name the pin, choose a color, and decide which list to save it to. If you do not create a list first, Google Maps will save it to "Saved" by default. Once you confirm, the pin is stored in your account.
How to add a pin on your computer
Go to Google Maps in your web browser and find the location you want to pin. Right-click directly on the spot on the map. A small menu will appear with several options — select "Add a label." A text box will open where you can type a name for the pin.
After you type the name and press Enter, the pin appears on the map with your chosen label. To change the pin's color or move it to a specific list, click on the pin itself, then click the three-dot menu icon and select "Edit label." From there you can rename it, change its appearance, or organize it into a list.
Organizing pins into lists
Lists help you group related pins together — one list for restaurants you want to try, another for hiking trails, another for a road trip itinerary. On mobile, tap the "Saved" button at the bottom of the screen, then tap the plus icon to create a new list. Give it a name and description, then add pins to it as you find them.
On desktop, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then select "Your places." Click the "Saved" tab and you will see all your lists. Click the plus icon to create a new list, or click an existing list to add pins to it. You can also drag pins between lists once they are created.
Changing pin colors and icons
By default, all pins are red. To change the color, open the pin's details page and look for the color circle icon. Tap or click it to see color options — Google Maps offers red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Choose the color that makes sense for your system (for example, green for parks, blue for hotels).
On mobile, you can also choose from different icon styles — a star, a heart, or a number. These help you distinguish different types of locations at a glance. On desktop, the color options are the same, but icon choices are more limited. Once you pick a color or icon, it applies only to that individual pin.
Sharing your pins with others
You can share an entire list of pins with friends or family without giving them the ability to edit it. On mobile, open the list, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Share." Google Maps will generate a link that you can send via text, email, or any messaging app. Anyone who opens that link can see your pins and their locations, but they cannot add or remove pins from your list.
On desktop, click the list name, then click the three-dot menu and select "Share." Copy the link and send it however you prefer. The person receiving it does not need a Google account to view your pins, though they will need one if they want to save the list to their own account.
Editing and deleting pins
To change a pin's name or details, tap or click on it to open its card, then tap or click the three-dot menu and select "Edit label." You can update the name, color, or which list it belongs to. If you want to move the pin to a different location on the map, press and hold it (on mobile) or drag it (on desktop) to the new spot.
To remove a pin entirely, open its details card and look for the delete or trash icon — on mobile it is usually at the bottom of the card, and on desktop it is in the menu. Deleting a pin removes it from your map and all your lists. You cannot undo this action, so make sure you really want to remove it before confirming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a pin without a name?
Yes. On mobile, you can press and hold to create a pin and skip the naming step — it will save with just the address. On desktop, you must type something in the label box, but you can type a space or a single character if you prefer not to name it. The pin will still save and appear on your map.
Do my pins show up on other people's maps?
No, unless you share the list with them. Your pins are private by default and only visible to you when you are signed into your Google account. If you share a list link, the people you send it to can see those specific pins, but they cannot see any other pins you have created.
What happens to my pins if I delete my Google account?
All your pins and lists will be deleted along with your account. If you want to keep a record of your pins, take screenshots or export the list before closing your account. Google Maps does not offer a built-in export feature, so screenshots or manual notes are your best option.
Can I add a pin to someone else's list?
No. When someone shares a list with you, you can view it but not edit it. If you want to add pins to a shared list, the person who created it must give you editing permission, which requires sharing it as a collaborator rather than a read-only link. Ask them to share the list through Google Maps' collaboration feature instead.
How many pins can I add to one list?
Google Maps does not publish a limit on the number of pins per list. In practice, you can add hundreds of pins to a single list without performance issues. If a list becomes too large to navigate easily, consider splitting it into multiple lists organized by category or region.