How to Drop, Manage, and Share Pins in Google Maps: A Complete 2026 Guide
If you’ve ever tried to explain a meet-up spot, mark your favorite restaurant, or plan a multi-stop road trip, you know the value of a pin in Google Maps. As of 2025, pinning has evolved beyond simply marking a dot—it’s part of a smart ecosystem with AI, predictive navigation, and collaborative tools, with more enhancements expected in 2026. Being a traveler, business owner, or simply a person interested in saving and sharing a place, this guide will show you all there is dropping, managing, and sharing pins in Google Maps.
Why This Matters in 2026
Google Maps is more than directions—it’s become a location intelligence platform. In the last year, Google introduced:
AI-driven pin management that auto-categorizes your saved places.
Satellite-based sharing (on Pixel devices and rolling out globally) that lets you share pins even offline.
Contextual pin suggestions using Google Gemini AI, showing you spots you’re likely to need based on history and intent. (currently rolling out / beta in 2025.)
This guide will not only teach you how to pin a location on Google Maps, but how to drop multiple pins, remove pins, and share pins like a pro.
1. How to Drop a Pin on Google Maps
On Mobile (Android & iPhone)
Open the Google Maps app (make sure you’re updated—Gemini AI features are rolling out in 2025, with broader integration expected in 2026).
Zoom to the spot or search for the place.
Tap and hold on the location. A red pin instantly appears.
A bottom info card will open with options: Save, Share, Add to List, or Get Directions.
Navigate to your spot and click it. A gray pin drops.
A pop-up box appears with options: Save, Directions, or Share.
2. How to Pin Multiple Locations on Google Maps
Sometimes one pin just won’t cut it—think road trips, delivery routes, or property scouting.
Option A: Using Built-In Lists
Tap Saved → New List.
Name your list (e.g., “Italy Vacation 2025”).
Add multiple locations by searching or pinning manually.
Pins appear on your map whenever you open the list.
Perfect for how to drop multiple pins on Google Maps.
Option B: Google My Maps (Advanced)
For more customization:
Go to Your Places → Maps → Create Map.
Add layers (restaurants, hotels, attractions).
Drop pins or even import locations via a spreadsheet.
Great for businesses, real estate, or trip planners. This also works for multiple pin drops on Google Maps.
Pro Tip (from Reddit): “The regular Google Maps app doesn’t let you drop multiple pins like that. You’ll need to use Google My Maps (separate from the main app).”
3. How to Copy or Combine Pins from One Map to Another
A common use case in 2025: you’ve saved pins on one map but want to merge them into another.
In Google My Maps, export your locations as a KML file.
Import them into another map.
You now have a combined map with multiple pins.
This answers can you copy pins from one Google Map to another and can you combine pins from 2 different Google Maps.
4. How to Remove or Delete a Pin in Google Maps
We all clutter our maps with old pins—restaurants we didn’t like, trips that never happened. Here’s how to clean up.
On Mobile
Dropped pin: Tap it → Swipe up card → Hit Remove (or tap elsewhere to clear).
Saved pin in list: Go to Saved → Your List → Three Dots → Remove/Unsave.
How to Remove or Delete a Pin in Google Maps on Mobile
On Desktop
Click the pin → Info box opens → Select Remove or X.
For saved pins: Go to Saved Lists → Edit → Remove.
How to Remove or Delete a Pin in Google Maps on Desktop
Screenshot Pin Detection: If you screenshot a location, Google Maps now auto-saves it to your account.
7. Google Maps Pin Icons and Customization
That little red pin isn’t just decorative—it’s iconic.
The red inverted-drop pin is Google’s signature design.
In Google My Maps, you can customize icons with colors or upload your own logo.
Businesses in 2025 can apply for branded pins, and this feature may expand further in 2026.
8. What’s New Rolling Out by 2026: AI + Satellite Pins
Google is transforming how pins work:
Gemini AI Recommendations: Maps now predicts pins you might want—like suggesting your gym every Monday morning.
Immersive View 2.0: Dropped pins now show 3D immersive previews of places, not just Street View.
Satellite Pin Sharing: In remote areas, pins can be shared even without mobile data.
Quick FAQ
How to pin an address in Google Maps?
Search → Tap address → Save/Pin.
Can you drop multiple pins on Google Maps?
Yes—using lists or My Maps.
How to delete a pin?
Tap pin → Remove/Unsave.
How to share pins?
Use Share → Link, Collaborative List, or Satellite.
What does the Google Maps pin icon mean?
It represents a marked location—red for default, customizable in My Maps.
Final Thoughts
Dropping, managing, and sharing pins on Google Maps is no longer just about navigation—it’s also about organization, collaboration, and smart planning, with even more advanced features expected by 2026.
You’ve now mastered how to:
Drop single pins (on mobile & desktop)
Add multiple pins and combine maps
Remove old or irrelevant pins
Share pins via links, collaborative lists, or even satellites
Understand and customize pin icons
Take advantage of AI-powered suggestions
You may be planning an international trip, scheduling business delivery, or just getting together with a friend, Google Maps pins are the easiest, smartest way to mark what is important.