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I will never forget the memory lapse disaster at the airport upon landing and trying to find my parked car. I was sure it was in one particular place. But the truth is I parked at a completely different spot. Only technology that I am about to share, cleared it up and got us on our way.

By tapping into Google Maps to mark where you parked, you can easily get back to your spot.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Using Google Maps (iOS, Android)
• Using Apple Maps (iOS)
• Using Siri (iOS)

 

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How to find your parked car using Google Maps (iOS, Android)

First, let’s make sure that Google Maps knows where you are.

iOS

• Click Settings
• Click Google Maps
• For the Location row, click “While Using”

Android

• Click Settings
• Click Location
• Make sure the Location switch is set to on.
• Click App Permission
• Click Maps
• Choose, “Allow only while using the app”

Now launch Google Maps

• The map should center on where you currently are parked via a blue dot on the map.  You can click the icon with the triangle on it to center in on where you are.
• Once you confirm that the location is correct, click that blue dot and you’ll see a list of options pop up from the bottom
  • On iOS:
    • Click the 3rd row: “P” Set as parking location
  • On Android:
    • Click “Save your parking”. You can also  click “More Info” at bottom to enter notes and even photos about your location.
• Now the map has put a pin on the map as to where you parked.
  • It will display “You parked near here.”

Later, when you’re trying to find your car again,

• Launch the Google Maps app and click the pin/text that says “Your parked near here”
• a white box will pop up at the bottom of the screen.  Click Directions and Google maps will provide directions from your current location to your “saved parking” spot.

 

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How to find your parked car using Apple Maps (iOS)

Apple makes it very easy for us.  Here’s what you need to do.

First, update your settings:

• Click Settings
• Click Privacy
• Slide the Location Services toggle to the right
• Scroll down the page and click Maps
• Select Allow Location Access: While Using the App or Widgets

Now find the Apple Maps icon and press and hold it so that you see a menu appear.

• Click the Mark My Location option.
• The map will then appear with your location on it.

 
Later when you’re trying to find your car again

• Launch the app
• Slide the bottom menu up
• Under Recents, you’ll see the Marked Location you just pinned.
• Click it and then click Directions

 

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How to find your parked car using Siri (iOS)

A super-easy way to set and find your car would allow you to say into your iPhone or Apple Watch

“Hey Siri, remember where I parked”

And then later,

“Hey Siri, where did I park?”

Both will then automatically pin your location and show it to you on a map.

However, in order to allow for this to work right, you need to tweak your privacy settings so that Apple can record your location. Here’s how:

• Click Settings
• Click Privacy
• Slide the Location Services toggle to the right
• Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page until you see System Services
• Close to the bottom, click Significant Locations
• On the next screen, toggle the slider to the right to turn on.
  • By turning this on, it allows Apple and some 3rd party apps and websites to gather and use information based on the current location of your iPhone or Apple Watch to provide a variety of location-based services.  You can read more about it here.

More of my Quick tips here