Google wants to make sure you never have to waste time circling a multi-storey in search of your car again.
A new update to Google Maps adds a feature that helps you remember where you parked your car. It’s available for both iOS and Android, and will surely work wonders for the forgetful.
“Some say it’s about the journey, not the destination – but we think its about a little of both,” says Jeff Albertson, Product Manager at Google Maps. “Now, Google Maps for Android and iOS will not only help you get where you’re going, but it’ll help you remember where you parked once you’ve arrived.”
How to Save your parking on Android
On Android, tap the blue dot and then press ‘Save your parking’. This will add your parking location to the map.
You should then see a label on the map itself, which will show where you parked. Admittedly, this is only useful if you’ve forgotten the building or lot where you parked.
However, you can then tap on that label to open up what Google is calling the “parking card”. Here, you can add additional details about your parking spot, like the specific level and spot you parked on.
You can also add the amount of time you’ve got left on your ticket before it expires. If you do this, you’ll get a reminder 15 minutes before you run out of time.
Better still, you can save an image of your parking spot in Google Maps, and even send your parking location to a friend – just in case your phone dies while you’re out.
How to Save your parking on iOS
On iOS, you’ll get pretty much the same experience. Once you’re at your destination, tap on the blue dot and hit ‘Set as parking location’. This adds your parking spot to the map itself.
Then, tap on the parking label on the map and you’ll see that your parking card has opened.
You’ll be able to share this with friends, and even view pictures of your parking area.
That’s in addition to the automatic parking detection that already features in Google Maps for iOS. Basically, if you connect to your car using USB audio or Bluetooth, your parking spot gets automatically added to the map when you disconnect and exit the vehicle.
Related: Best Android phones
What new features would you like to see added to Google Maps? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
