How to Drop a Pin and Share Your Location in Apple Maps

Last Updated: July 17, 2024 Fact Checked

Have you ever wanted to share a specific place, like your current location in Apple Maps, with someone? You can easily do that by dropping a pin! You can drop a pin by placing a pin on Maps to mark the spot or you can share your location with Messages, the Contacts app, or using Google Maps. This wikiHow article will teach you how you can drop a pin on an iPhone or iPad or share your location in Messages, Contacts, and Google Maps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Sharing a Pin in Maps

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1
Open Maps. This app icon looks like a road map with a blue marker. ^{[1]
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- Maps will open to show a pin of your current location.
2
Tap and hold the screen where you want to drop a pin. You can stop touching the screen when you see a menu slide up from the bottom. ^{[2]
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- If nothing happens when you touch the screen, try zooming in to get an exact location, then touch the screen again.
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3
Tap Edit Location (if you want to edit it). You'll see a satellite image of the pin and can move it to a more accurate location.
- Tap Done when you're finished.
It's in the bottom right corner of your screen. ^{[3]
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Select a sharing option and follow the on-screen instructions to share your pin. You can share via compatible apps like Snapchat, Facebook, Mail, or Messages, or you can AirDrop the location to someone nearby. ^{[4]
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- Alternatively, tap Copy and copy the link to the pin that you can add to a Facebook message or email.
- Depending on the method of sharing you picked, the wording will vary. For example, if you opted to share via Mail, you need to address the email before you can send it or if you selected to share via Messages, you need to select someone from your contacts list to continue.
- You can also use Google Maps to drop a pin.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Sharing Your Location via Messages

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To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and tap the switch to toggle it on (it'll be green). ^{[5]
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This app icon looks like a speech bubble on a green background.
You'll see it at the top of the conversation.
The lowercase "i" inside a circle icon is right below the contact's name.
If you opt to "Send My Current Location," you don't need to select a time period. The person in that conversation will only see your current location on their Maps. With "Share My Location," you are actively sharing your location, even if it changes. With this option, you'll want to select a duration for sharing your location. ^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Sharing Your Location via Contacts

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1
Open the Contacts app. This app icon looks like an address book with multiple colored tabs.
- Alternatively, you can open the Phone app and tap Contacts at the bottom.
Your list is sorted alphabetically, so you may need to scroll to find them.
If you opt to "Send My Current Location," you don't need to select a time period. The person in that conversation will only see your current location on their Maps. With "Share My Location," you are actively sharing your location, even if it changes. With this option, you'll want to select a duration for sharing your location. ^{[7]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Sharing Your Location via Google Maps

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It’s the map icon with a “G” and red pushpin. You’ll usually find it on one of your home screens.
If you don't see your current location, you can tap the "Current GPS location" icon in the lower right corner of your screen.
You'll find this in the menu that slides up from the bottom of your screen. ^{[8]
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If you don't have a time limit in mind, you can choose "Until you turn this off." ^{[9]
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If you opt for "Select People," you can use either a phone number or email address to share your location with the people you add.
It's in the top corner of your screen. ^{[10]
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