We have all experienced that moment of panic in a massive mall parking lot or on an unfamiliar city street when you suddenly cannot remember where you left your car. Instead of wandering around clicking your key fob and hoping to hear a beep, you can use a built-in feature in Google Maps that saves your exact parking spot the moment you step out of your vehicle.
How to Save Your Parking Location
This process takes exactly two seconds and works on both Android and iPhone devices.
- After you park your car, open the Google Maps app on your phone.
- Look for the blue dot on the map. This dot represents your current physical location.
- Tap directly on that blue dot.
- A menu will slide up from the bottom of the screen. Tap the button that says Save parking.
Immediately, a small yellow pin with a “P” on it will drop onto the map. No matter where you walk in the city, that yellow pin will stay exactly where you left it.
Adding Notes and Photos (Optional but Helpful)
If you are parking in a massive multi-level parking garage (like at an airport), a flat map pin might not be enough to help you find your car if you don’t know what floor you are on. Google Maps allows you to add specific details.
- Tap the yellow “You parked here” pin on the map.
- Tap the More info button at the bottom.
- Here you can:
- Add parking notes: Type something like “Level 4, Section B, near the blue elevator.”
- Add photos: Tap the camera icon to snap a quick picture of the concrete pillar number next to your car.
- Time left: If you are parked at a metered spot, you can enter the amount of time you paid for. Google Maps will send a notification to your phone 15 minutes before your meter expires to save you from a parking ticket!
How to Find Your Car Later
When it is time to go home, open Google Maps. You will see the yellow “P” pin on your map. Tap it, and then tap Directions. Google Maps will give you walking directions straight to your driver’s side door.
How to Clear Your Parking Spot
Once you are back in your car and driving away, Google Maps usually figures out you have left and removes the pin automatically. However, if the pin is stuck on your screen, simply tap the yellow pin, tap More info, and select Clear.
Conclusion
The “Save Parking” feature is one of the most underrated tools in Google Maps. Make it a habit to tap the blue dot every time you park in an unfamiliar place, and you will never lose your car again.