To send a location pin on Android, open Google Maps, touch and hold a spot on the map to drop a pin, tap the place's name or address at the bottom, then tap "Share" and choose an app to send the link. This static pin gives recipients a precise, unmoving point they can open in their own maps app to get directions.
How to send a location pin on Android with Google Maps
This is the universal method for dropping and sharing a static pin via any app on your Android device. The steps are exact and verified across all recent Android versions.
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Navigate to the spot you want to share. You can search for an address or business, or pan and zoom the map manually.
- Touch and hold your finger on the exact spot on the map. A red pin will appear, and a preview card will pop up at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the place's name or address on that card to open its details page.
- Tap the "Share" button on that details page.
- Select the app you want to send the link through, WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Messages, email, or any other sharing target your phone offers.
The recipient receives a Google Maps link. When they tap it, the map opens to that exact pin location. They do not need a Google account to view it.
How to share your real-time location on Android
If you want someone to see your movements as you travel, use live location sharing. This is distinct from a static pin and works for a chosen duration.
Via Google Maps
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner.
- Tap "Location sharing".
- Tap "New share" or "Share location".
- Choose how long to share your location. Options include a specific number of minutes or hours, or "Until you turn this off".
- Select a contact from your list, or tap "Copy to clipboard" to generate a shareable link you can paste anywhere.
- Tap "Share".
The recipient sees your moving icon on a map for the duration you set. To stop sharing early, go back to Location sharing in Google Maps and tap "Stop". Recipients can view your live location even if they do not have a Google account.
Via Google Messages
- Open a conversation in Google Messages.
- Tap the "+" (attachment) icon in the bottom left corner.
- Tap "Real-time Location".
- Choose a duration: "For 1 hour", "Today only", "Until you turn this off", or a custom duration up to 24 hours.
- Tap "Send".
To stop sharing early, tap the message with your location in the conversation, and next to your name, tap "Stop".
Sharing a location pin through messaging apps
The Google Maps share sheet works identically across WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Messages for static pins. After you tap "Share" on the pin's details page, your phone presents a list of all messaging apps installed. Tap the one you want, and the link is inserted into a new message or conversation draft.
Viber allows you to share your location by opening a chat, tapping the plus icon, selecting 'Location', and choosing 'Your Location'.
Google Messages additionally has its own native real-time location feature (described above), which does not require opening Google Maps first. This is the only messaging app on Android that offers a built-in live location button separate from the Maps share sheet.
Sharing a location pin via email or social media
The same Google Maps share link method works for email, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. After tapping "Share" on the pin's details page, select your email app to compose a message with the link already attached. For social media, select the platform's app, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and the link posts as a share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an internet connection to send a location pin?
Yes. Sending a static pin or live location requires an active data connection (mobile data or Wi-Fi) because the link or live feed is transmitted over the internet.
Can I send a location pin to someone using an iPhone?
Yes. Google Maps links work cross-platform.
How do I stop sharing my live location after I set it?
In Google Maps, go to your profile picture, tap "Location sharing", find your active share, and tap "Stop". In Google Messages, tap the location message in the conversation and tap "Stop" next to your name.
What is the difference between a static pin and live location?
A static pin is a fixed point you drop on the map and share once. Live location shows your movement in real time for a set duration, updating as you move.
Can I share a location pin without using Google Maps?
Some third-party apps like Glympse or Life360 offer their own location sharing, but the most reliable and universal method on Android is through Google Maps, which is pre-installed on nearly every device and works with any app that accepts a link. These third-party apps are also useful for tracking a phone location across multiple family members, but for a one-time pin, Google Maps is the standard. Third-party location sharing apps like Glympse, Find My Friends, and Life360 are available on the Google Play Store for location sharing with additional features and customization options.
Related reading: How To Find Someone's Location On Android and How To Share Location On Android To IPhone.
