NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Forgetting where you parked happens to everyone. Busy schedules, crowded places and mental autopilot make it easy to leave without thinking. Luckily, your iPhone remembers for you. Both Google Maps And Apple Maps Now it will be easy for you to find your car again with almost no effort. Google recently added smarter automatic parking detection to the iPhone. Apple Maps has offered a similar feature for years. Together they provide a reliable backup in the event of a memory failure. Here's how each one works and how to make sure it's ready when you need it.
If you are using Android phoneBelow are instructions that will show you how to save and find your parked car using Google Maps on Android.
Subscribe to my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
GOOGLE MAPS VS WAZE VS APPLE MAPS: WHICH IS BETTER?
Google Maps can automatically save where you park on your iPhone and mark it on the map. Once it appears, you can click on it at any time to get directions to your car. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How Google Maps Saves Your Parking Space on iPhone
Google Maps can automatically detect when you park and place a marker that will stay in place for up to 48 hours or until you drive again. He is currently working on iPhone only.
Connect your iPhone to your car
Google Maps needs a signal that you've stopped driving.
- Connect your iPhone to your car using Bluetooth: On your iPhone, open Settingstap Bluetooth And connect it with your car before your trip.
- Connect your iPhone via USB: Connect your iPhone to your car USB port using the cable before starting your journey.
- Use CarPlay on your iPhone: Go to Settings on iPhone, press General, tap CarPlay, then select your car to link your iPhone to your car.
Any of these connections can trigger parking detection.
Allow Google Maps to automatically save parking
If you want this to work every time, change the setting of one key.
- Open Settings app on your iPhone
- Tap Applications
- Then click Google Maps
- Tap Location
- Choose Always
This allows Google Maps to track parking even when the app is not open.
Enable motion-based parking detection.
This helps Google Maps save your parking spot even when Bluetooth or CarPlay is not in use.
- Open Google Maps on your iPhone
- Click on yours profile photo in the upper right corner
- Tap Settings
- Then click Navigation
- Include Automatically save parking
- To make sure motion detection is working:
- Open your iPhone Settings app
- Tap Privacy and Security
- Tap Movement and fitness
- Make sure Fitness tracking included
- Make sure Google Maps included
This allows Google Maps to use traffic data to determine when you stop moving.
Find your parked car
- As soon as you park, a pin will appear on Google Maps that says You parked here.
- Open Google Mapto see the pin
- Click on search bar
- Choose Saved parking
The pin remains visible for up to 48 hours.
Adjust location if necessary
If the pin is slightly misaligned:
- Click on parking place
- Choose Change location
- Drag the marker to the right place
FIND YOUR LOST PHONE THAT IS TURNED OFF OR NOT WORKING
After parking, Google Maps displays your saved location and a quick route button. This makes it easy to return to your car without having to retrace your steps. (OLIVIER DULIERI/AFP via Getty Images)
How Apple Maps saves your parking space
Apple Maps uses your iPhone's location and connection to your car to remember where you parked. In many cases it works automatically without configuration.
Make sure location services are turned on
Apple Maps depends on your system settings.
- Open Settings
- Tap Privacy and Security
- Tap Location Services
- Make sure Location Services included
- Tap Cards
- Choose While using the application
Use Bluetooth or CarPlay.
Apple Maps detects parking when your iPhone is disconnected from:
- Your car's Bluetooth system
- Wired or wireless CarPlay
This shutdown signals that you have parked.
Find your parked car in Apple Maps
After parking:
- Open Apple Maps on your iPhone
- Search Parked car below the search field or Parked car icon on the map
- Click on parked car entry or icon
- Tap Directions to return to your car
Apple Maps resets your parked car marker when your iPhone disconnects from Bluetooth or CarPlay when you get out of the car. You can also see detailed parking information, such as how long ago you parked, if you've enabled the appropriate settings in your iPhone settings.
Google Maps vs Apple Maps for Parking Reminders
Both apps work well, but shine in different ways.
- Google Maps: Parking tags last up to 48 hours and are easy to edit.
- Apple Maps: Deep iOS integration and easy auto-detection.
Many iPhone owners leave both features enabled for backup purposes.
Apple Maps can also remember where you parked when your iPhone disconnects from Bluetooth or CarPlay. Open the app and find a parked car to get directions. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to Find a Parked Car on Android Phones
If you are using an Android phone, you can still save and find your parked car using Google Mapsbut the process is manual.
Save your parking spot on Android
WITHSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.
- Open Google Maps on your Android phone
- Click on blue dot showing your current location
- Tap Save your parking
- Add notes or photos if you need help remembering landmarks
Google Maps resets the parking sign, which remains visible until you delete it or save a new one.
Find your parked car later on Android
WITHSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.
- Open Google Maps
- Click on retained parking pin on the map
- Tap Directions to get back to your car
Unlike iPhone, Android does not currently support automatic parking detection in Google Maps.
Take My Quiz: How Safe Is Your Online Security?
Do you think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to find out what your digital habits are. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you'll get personalized information about what you're doing right and what needs improvement. Take my test here: Cyberguy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Kurt's key takeaways
Forgetting where you parked makes you quickly forget, but finding your car doesn't have to be stressful. Google Maps and Apple Maps can save your parking location and guide you back when you need it most. On the iPhone, most of this works automatically once you enable Settings. Android users can still save their location manually using Google Maps. Either way, taking a few minutes to set it up now can save you time, effort, and frustration in the future.
How much time have you already spent looking for your car that your phone could have saved? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
Subscribe to my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright CyberGuy.com 2025. All rights reserved.
