Do you often have trouble remembering where you parked your car? Losing track of it can be easy, especially if you’ve parked in a crowded lot or garage. If you have the right smartphone app, you can mark where you parked and quickly locate your vehicle again. Google Maps and Apple Maps will let you record the location of your car, but several third-party apps can also help you track it down. Let’s check out all your options.

Google Maps

Google Maps will help you find your car, though some of the steps differ slightly between operating systems. On an iPhone or Android device, open Google Maps after you’ve parked your car. Tap the blue pin that represents your current location (and parking spot), then tap the Save parking entry to add a destination on the map.

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Android users can also enter notes with more details about your location. You’re also able to set a specific number of hours and/or minutes that you wish to park, which can be helpful if you’re parked at a meter. Tap Share if you want to share your location with someone else or just send it to yourself.

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When it’s time to find your parked car, tap the blue pin for your parking spot. Tap Directions and then tap Start to get step-by-step directions back to where you left your car.

(Credit: PCMag / Google)

Apple Maps

Available just for iOS (and iPadOS), Apple Maps can also help you find where you parked your car. But first, you’ll need to review and tweak a few settings. On your iPhone or iPad, head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and make sure Location Services is turned on.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

Scroll to the bottom of the Location Services screen, select System Services and then tap Significant Locations to enable your phone to keep track of locations that may be important to you. If you’re asked to verify your identity, use your passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID for authentication purposes, then turn on the switch next to Significant Locations.

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Next, you need to make sure your phone has the ability to track the location of your car. Go to Settings > Apps > Maps, swipe to the bottom of the screen, and then turn on Show Parked Location.

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(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

Once you’ve parked, Apple Maps will track its location. The app will do this automatically if you’ve connected your iPhone to your car via Bluetooth or CarPlay. After you disconnect your device from the car, Maps should drop a pin to show where you parked. You can also manually select your car’s location in Apple Maps by tapping the blue Parked Car pin on the map. If you don’t see it, type “parked car” in the search field, and the car’s location should appear, then tap Mark My Location.

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Sometimes finding your car can be a bit complicated. If you wish to write yourself a note to help you better find the vehicle later, tap the More icon and select Add a Note.

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When you need to find your car, open Apple Maps and tap the Parked Car pin. Select Directions, then tap Go to follow walking directions to your parked car.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

Third-Party Apps

Parked Car Locator (Android): With Parked Car Locator, tap the compass icon to zoom in on your current location. Tap the Park Here button and tap OK to set your parking. When it’s time to find your car, just open the app and follow the arrow to track down its location.

(Credit: PCMag / Parked Car Locator)

Find My Car (Android): Find My Car makes it simple to record your car’s location and then find it later. Open the app and tap the Park button. You can then add a note to your location and snap a photo of it. When you’re ready to return, open the app again and tap the Find My Car button. Just follow the direction of the pointer, and the app will steer you to the right spot.

(Credit: PCMag / Find My Car – GPS Navigation)

Find My Car with AR Tracker (iOS): Find My Car with AR Tracker is quite simple. At the main screen, tap the Add New Car Location license plate icon when you park your car. Tap the Mark Location button. Name the location and select the location type, then tap Save location. When you need to find your car, open the app and tap Back to Location. You’ll see the location of your car displayed on the map. Tap the AR icon, and you can view your surroundings as you walk.

(Credit: PCMag / Find My Car with AR Tracker)

Find My Parked Car (iOS): Find My Parked Car is simple to use. After you’ve parked, open the app and tap the Park button to save your location. When you need to find your car, Find My Parked Car will show your current spot and your car’s location, then open Google Maps to serve up directions to your parking space. You can also snap a photo of your parked car, set an alarm to alert you to the time on a parking meter, and use the app from an Apple Watch.

(Credit: PCMag / Find My Parked Car)

About Lance Whitney

Contributor

I’ve been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I’ve written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I’ve also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.

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