One of the new features of iOS 6 is the Apple-designed built-in Maps app that replaced Google Maps. Apple already acknowledged that this new Map apps has proven to be buggy; they have suggested that users try other Map alternatives. However, many people are giving a chance to Apple Maps. We have been receiving a lot of questions regarding the pin feature in Apple Maps. This short tutorial explains how to use pins, including dropping and removing pins.
Pins are a useful feature that lets individuals easily get directions, as well as save and share locations on the map. Basically there are three types of pins: Green, Red and Purple. Green pins are placed on your current location or your destination when you get directions.
Red Pins
Red pins are results of your search. To delete a red pin, you need to clear your search results by tapping the circled X or the Clear button on the search box.
remove red pins
Purple Pins
Purple pins can be dropped by users by tapping and holding a location on the map that you want it to place a pin. Purple pins can be deleted by first tapping the blue ‘i’ icon to get more info regarding the location, then tapping “Remove Pin”. Blue pins can also be moved to another location by tapping and dragging.
remove purple pins
To add multiple pins, you need to add your pins to your map bookmarks by tapping “Add to Bookmarks”. When purple pins are added to bookmarks, they will turn into red pins that you can delete by clearing your search history.
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November 2, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Great instructions, unfortunately that did not work for me. My pin shows purple on my map. If I clear the pin then it appears in purple below in a list format and below the purple dropped pin info,my current location is listed. I tap the purple pin info which brings me to the map screen and the pin changes color to red. I tap the blue info button as suggested in your instructions, I do not get a “remove pin”. I have “directions to here” ” directions from here” “add to contacts” “add to bookmarks” “share location” “report a problem”. I have tried to report a problem to no avail. If you have any suggestions i would really appreciate any input. I am using iOS 6 on an iPhone 4S
November 19, 2012 at 2:59 PM
I have the same problem on the same phone, iOS6. My red pin disappears on the map when I tap on it, but it shows purple on Recents and Bookmarks. Kinda sucks.
February 23, 2013 at 1:09 PM
figured it out by chance and accident!! open maps. (if your map route is open and flashing hit clear button to get to search engine). click on search engine bar up top. then a list of the destinations you used will show up. click on one of them. a map will appear. up in the left hand corner it will opt to ‘clear, hit clear. then an open book icon will be in upper right hand corner- click this. hit clear. then a “clear all recent” shows up. click this and it will clear everything in your list!!
March 14, 2013 at 4:32 PM
AWESOME! this worked perfectly, thank you!!!
April 3, 2013 at 8:00 PM
I’ve been looking for over an hour and you are the ONLY person that was able to answer what I thought would be a very simple question. Thank You very much!
March 10, 2013 at 7:45 PM
Open map app. Top right corner tap contacts. At the bottom of page, tap recents, then at top left tap clear. Then done.
May 17, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Thanks for your help after trying a few other suggestions on other sites I found yours and yours was the one that worked thanks again. Felicia
November 26, 2012 at 6:05 AM
I am having the same problem. It is driving me nuts. The location is also listed in my Maps Bookmarks. I thought deleting it from there would fix the problem, but when I click “clear” in recent searches, it clears everything but the dropped pin location!
December 3, 2012 at 6:00 AM
No problem removing the purple pins but how do I remove the pin after it has been turned Red to mark a location. Apple seem to have made a bit of a hash of this. Why the hell didn’t Apple stick with maps that actually work. Company pride can only go so far but changing a winning team is really a no brainier. Also it seems a little bit stupid that the iPad can not access flash documents. I have read your reasoning behind this but what you do not say does more to highlight the the truth.
December 19, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Close the Maps application, open it again and you will be able to delete also the purple pin.
Also click right corner (contacts), browse between the three tabs below and click clear.
Hipe this helps!
January 19, 2013 at 11:18 AM
I have the same problem as Lil. i can’t get rid of any pins. The worst part of this issue is that apple leaves you out in the cold. you think there would be a trouble shooting site to solve problems
February 23, 2013 at 1:09 PM
figured it out by chance and accident!! open maps. (if your map route is open and flashing hit clear button to get to search engine). click on search engine bar up top. then a list of the destinations you used will show up. click on one of them. a map will appear. up in the left hand corner it will opt to ‘clear, hit clear. then an open book icon will be in upper right hand corner- click this. hit clear. then a “clear all recent” shows up. click this and it will clear everything in your list!!
February 12, 2013 at 8:14 AM
I had trouble removing a purple pin as well. So I started testing ways to remove it. This worked for me… Add the purple pin to bookmarks. once this is done you can access the bookmarks and delete the pin. You must make it a bookmark to delete it.
February 15, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Paul’s suggestion on Feb 12 about adding the purple pin to bookmarks worked great. Was able to clear lists and all. Thanks!
February 23, 2013 at 1:09 PM
figured it out by chance and accident!! open maps. (if your map route is open and flashing hit clear button to get to search engine). click on search engine bar up top. then a list of the destinations you used will show up. click on one of them. a map will appear. up in the left hand corner it will opt to ‘clear, hit clear. then an open book icon will be in upper right hand corner- click this. hit clear. then a “clear all recent” shows up. click this and it will clear everything in your list!!
February 24, 2013 at 7:24 AM
Why is there no directions for maps on ipad to cancell contactes and addresses
February 24, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Why are there no instruction to cancell contact and remove pins from map on my ipad2
Many thanks tony
March 6, 2013 at 9:50 AM
This is totally bogus. I’ve spent way too much time trying to clear these stupid pins off of my iPhone map. Total crap!