I am always losing my car in parking lots. Its model and color are the most popular in the area I live in and I walk out of stores to a sea of similarity, hesitant to click my remote on and off and signal to my fellow drivers that I can’t identify my own car. Google Maps now has a built-in solution to my issue, but it’s one I’ll only be able to use if I have my iPhone on me.
Google Maps on iOS will now keep track of where you left your car for you. The best part is that not only don’t you have to remember where you parked, you don’t even have to remember to engage the feature.
Google didn’t make any formal announcement. Instead, Google Maps Senior Project Manager Rio Akasaka posted on LinkedIn. “Get in a car with Google Maps and connect to your car with USB, Bluetooth or CarPlay, and once you’re done driving, there’s a little pin waiting for you when you open Google Maps next– a personal parking Maps valet, just for you,” Akasaka wrote.
According to Google’s support page, your parking location will be saved for 48 hours or until you move your car, whichever comes first.
So far the feature is not available for Android devices, but that doesn’t mean Google has left Android users totally stranded.
Engage the parking location feature
While it’s not automatic, you can save your parking location in Google Maps.
After you park, open Maps and tap the blue location dot that shows where you are. From the menu, select Save parking and, if you like, add a note like “Level 3, Section 2A.” When it’s time to find your car, open Google Maps, tap the search bar and select Parking location.
If you really want to customize the feature, you can put your car on the map literally. Open Maps, start navigation, then tap the blue arrow. You’ll get an assortment of vehicle types and colors to choose from. Select one and it will act as your driving avatar and show up on the map with your parking location.
For more tips on making the most of Google Maps, we have seven simple Google Maps features that will make your life easier.
