Google Maps Lets Users Drop Pins and Update Home Addresses

Engadget reports that the pin-dropping process begins in the Google Maps app. A user opens the app, finds the location and presses and holds on the spot. The user can add a label by scrolling through the options next to Directions and hitting Add label, which creates a custom name instead of using GPS coordinates and adds it to the Labeled section of the Saved tab. To keep the pin, the user taps Save, chooses a list and can add a note about the spot. To share it, the user scrolls through the list and taps Share, then chooses a sharing method.

On a computer, the process is slightly different but still allows exact coordinates to be accessed and shared. A user goes to the Google Maps website and clicks the area to share. A gray dot appears, and GPS coordinates show in a small box at the bottom of the screen. Clicking those coordinates opens the standard Google Maps info panel, where the same Save, Add label and Share steps apply. Alternatively, right-clicking any spot shows options to copy the GPS coordinates or share the location, and Directions from here and Directions to here can be used without saving a pin.

Beyond pins, Google Maps can live-share a user's location for a set time. In the app, the user taps their profile picture in the upper-right corner and selects Location sharing. The user then selects Share location or New share and chooses a time period, or Until you turn this off for indefinite sharing. Finally, the user selects a contact's Google account to share directly to their Maps app, or selects More options to send it another way.

For a more customized experience, Google's My Maps feature lets users create entire maps with multiple layers for different location types, such as parks, restaurants and tourist attractions. Engadget says this can be useful for keeping a vacation itinerary in one place or a detailed map of business clients. Each custom map can have up to 10,000 lines, shapes or places, allowing custom areas as well as precise addresses. These maps can only be created on desktop but are viewable in the mobile app.

The second guide focuses on home and work addresses. Because home is the destination users travel to most, Google Maps offers shortcuts for it and other frequently visited locations. If a user has moved or never set a home address, Engadget advises configuring it on the web or in the mobile app. Before doing so, the guide notes security implications: if a phone is stolen or someone is able to look through it, that person could open Google Maps or another app to see the exact address. To keep the convenience without exposing a full address, a user can save a nearby public place, such as a restaurant or grocery store, as home.

On the web, a user opens Google Maps in a browser and signs in. Clicking inside the search box should show Home and Work entries at the top with an Edit option. If not, the user clicks the profile icon at the top-right, chooses Manage your Google Account, clicks Personal info on the left sidebar, scrolls down and chooses Home address. An unset address can be entered there with autocomplete suggestions. The Address line 2 button is available if needed, and Choose on map can be used instead of typing. The same menu allows Remove. The guide also suggests entering or updating a Work address for easy access and commute estimates.

In the Google Maps app on Android or iPhone, the user taps the You icon on the bottom bar, then chooses the Labeled list. If it is not visible, tapping the More arrow shows all lists. Home and Work entries should appear in the Labeled list. To change either, the user taps the three-dot button next to it and selects Edit home or Edit work. The new address is entered in the bar at the top, which populates as the user types, and Choose on map is available for dragging a pin or for locations that do not map cleanly to an address. The guide mentions a Change icon action that can make these special addresses stand out with options such as a treehouse, submarine or barn. Remove clears the address.

Labels and contact addresses serve related purposes. With labels, a user assigns a custom name to any spot, which can then be searched or used in voice commands for a better Android Auto experience. Engadget says this is useful for frequently visited places, such as using Gym instead of saying a full business name and street. Labels can also be applied to places without an address, such as GPS coordinates for a specific campsite in a park. On a computer or laptop, the user clicks the location to open its panel, scrolls down and clicks Add a label. On a phone or tablet, the user scrolls left on the row of small icons below the place's basic information and chooses More, then Add label. Labeled places appear with their name and a blue icon on the map. The Labeled group is cleaner than lists because it does not include photos, review scores, opening hours and other information; it displays only the chosen name, icon and address on file. Finally, Google Maps will show addresses saved for any contacts, allowing searches by name. If that does not work, the guide says to make sure Google contacts are synced with the phone and that the Google Maps app has access to contacts.