Oliver Norwood scored in the fourth minute of injury-time to give Northern Ireland their first point in the U21 European Championship qualifiers.
German striker Julian Schieber wasted the best first-half chance at the Oval when he sliced wide from 10 yards.
James Lawrie hit the crossbar and James McClean fired narrowly wide before the Germans took control.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting struck the opener on 89 minutes but Norwood levelled with a superb free-kick.
A draw was a fair result at the rain-lashed east Belfast venue.
The players observed a minute silence before the game in memory of Germany senior keeper Robert Enke, who died on Tuesday.
Craig Cathcart headed wide from a Norwood free-kick on nine minutes while Corey Evans failed to find the target after an impressive Northern Ireland move.
Lee Hodson and Cathcart made crucial tackles to thwart the reigning European champions.
Lawrie's lob found the bar just after the break while McClean hit a low shot just wide.
Germany dominated the last quarter of the game and they finally made the breakthrough when Choupo-Moting slotted in from close-range during a goalmouth scramble.
Manchester United midfielder Norwood stepped up deep into added time to curl the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.
N Ireland: Carson, Hodson, McGivern, Evans, Flynn, Cathcart, Weir, Norwood, Kee, Lawrie, Dudgeon. Subs: O'Neill, Ferguson, Boyce, Magennis, Casement, McClean, McQuoid.
Germany: Sippel, Badstuber, Bastians, Hummels, Langkamp, Schmelzer, Kroos, Reinartz, Sam, Muller, Schieber. Subs: Ulreich, Bittroff, Bargfrede, Koplin, Rudy, Choupo-Moting, Schurrie.
Referee: Duarte Gomes (Portugal)
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