Losing sight of a parked car is a stressor that most people experience at some point or another. You've just left an amusement park, zoo, mall, or other social space with a huge lot and can't remember where you parked your car. The tried and true method is to walk around with your key fob in the air, hoping to hear your car alarm. However, there is a better way if your car has Android Auto.
Android Auto features direct integration with Google Maps, and the app has a nifty tool that can help you remember and find your parking spot later. With a little effort, you can use this feature directly from your vehicle's infotainment screen. Forgetting your parking space becomes a thing of the past. Here's how to do it.
How to save your parking space on Android Auto
Saving your place in Android Auto is relatively intuitive, as the toggle automatically appears when you get to where you're going.
- Start your car, connect your phone and open Android automatic.
- Set a destination using Google Maps.
- Drive to your destination.
- After Google Maps recognizes that you are where you are supposed to be, a Save parking the toggle will appear.
- It will stay there, so find a parking spot and park safely.
- Activate the toggle.
You must set a destination on Google Maps for the parking reminder feature to work. If you drive without directions or a set destination and then park, the toggle won't appear and you'll have to resort to using Google Maps on your phone outside of Android Auto to save your parking spot.
How to recover your parking space on Google Maps
When you're done with your business or fun, it's time to get back in the car. Here's how to do it:
- Open Google Maps In your cellphone.
- At the bottom, hit the Updates icon.
- Swipe or tap Notifications tab.
- Touch Parking location to see your saved parking space.
- Select instructions.
- Google Maps will now direct you back to your parking location.
This is the best way to see your parking spot, no matter where you are. It can be useful if you are very far away and want a reminder of where you parked. However, parking spaces appear in the default Google Maps view. So if you're near your parking spot, just open Google Maps, find your parking spot on the map, and use the app to find your way to your car.
How to share, edit and delete your parking space on Google Maps
You can add some additional details about your parking space on Google Maps. For example, Google Maps includes a Time left function if you are at a parking meter, so you can quickly check how much time is left. See how to access and edit this information.
- Open Google Maps.
- At the To explore view, find your parking space and tap it.
- Touch More information.
- Here you will find some different options.
- To share – This will share your parking space with someone else. It's the best way to share your location with your friends or family if they need it.
- Clear – This will delete your parking space.
- Location – This is your saved parking space. You can change this location to be more precise if necessary. Touch Change location, then drag the red pin to where you want it.
- Parking notes — This is a text entry field where you can enter additional information. For example, you can use this feature to look at the parking section at amusement parks, large venues, or zoos that use sectional parking lots.
- Time left – This is the parking meter feature. You can enter the number of hours and minutes remaining on your parking meter here. If you tap the downward-facing arrow, you can also set reminders, so there's no need to check manually.
These are all the ways you can interact with your Google Maps parking spot to customize it as needed or delete it when you're done.
How to save your parking space with Google Maps
Turns out you don't need Android Auto to use this feature. It is available as part of Google Maps and anyone can use it as long as they have a smartphone with Google Maps. Here's how to do it.
- Get a parking space safely.
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap the blue dot indicating your current location.
- You will see options like Share location It is Calibrate. Scroll horizontally through this list and tap Save parking.
- A new pin will appear saying You parked here.
- Now it acts identically to the parking space you can generate with Android Auto, and you can edit and delete it as such.
How does Google Maps save my parking space?
The technology behind this is not very complicated. Google Maps has long had a pinning system where you can pin your favorite locations. Pins are permanent additions to your Google Maps that you can find, view, and edit as needed. Its best use was for hikers and campers to find their favorite spots in nature where Google Maps doesn't normally go.
