How to use Google Maps to register your parking space

We've all been there: you park your car in a random street or in an indefinable garage and you are dedicated to your business. Then, an hour or two later, you find yourself walking around without any memory of where you left your vehicle.

Do not get lost again. Your smartphone can help you find your parking space – or any other place, from somewhere else. All you need is the map application you probably already use for navigation.

Open Google Maps on your iOS or Android device and get ready to find your way to a smarter backup of the site.

On the iPhone

Saving your parking space is actually quite simple in Google Maps on iOS, although the associated options are somewhat limited compared to Android.

To start:

• Touch the blue dot on the map, which represents your current position.
• Select "Set as parking slot" in the menu that appears.
• If you want to send a link to another person, look for the "Share" button in the "Saved Parking" bar at the bottom of the Maps interface. (If you do not see the bar, press anytime anywhere on the screen to make it appear.)

When you are ready to find your place:

• Press the "Route" button in the "Saved Parking" bar to have Maps show you a detailed route to return to your location or press the "Start" button in the same area to begin the guided tour.
• Tap the "Clear" button to delete the saved location or tap the "Share" button to send someone a link to the location.

Maps can also provide notifications when you have saved a parking spot. To activate them:

• Tap the three-line menu icon in the upper right corner of the application.
• Tap the gear-shaped settings icon and scroll to what you see "Notifications."
• Select this option, and then make sure that the toggle for "Saved Parking Locations" is enabled. (You may be prompted to allow the app to send notifications first.)

On an Android device

The process of registering a parking slot in Google Maps on Android is similar to that of iOS but with some additional convenient features sprinkled as you go.

To start:

• Touch the blue dot on the map, which represents your current position.
• Select "Save your parking" on the screen that appears
• If you want to send a link to another person, press the "Share" command in the "Parking Location" bar at the bottom of the Maps interface.

Now, if you want to add more details:

• Tap or swipe up on the "Parking Location" bar at the bottom of the Maps interface.
• Tap the "Enter Notes" line to store information such as a point number in a nearby garage or business on a street.
• Tap the box under "Add Photos" to create a quick image that will help you find your vehicle later.
• Tap the "Time Remaining" line to set a specific time your parking will expire. A countdown will appear in Maps' persistent notification on your phone (so you can simply tap on it to find your car).

When you are ready to find your place:

• Look for the "Parking Location" bar at the bottom of the Maps interface or slide from the top to the bottom of the screen and look for the "Parking Location" notification.
• Tap the "Directions" button, then slide your finger up on the bar at the bottom of the screen to view step-by-step instructions, or tap the "Start" button to begin guided navigation.
• Press the "Clear" button to delete the saved location

Note that in the case of Android, you will automatically receive a persistent notification for your parked car. You can drag the notification as any other Android notification to reject it. If you prefer not to receive these notifications, you can disable them completely:

• Go to Google Maps settings (from the three-line menu icon on the top left).
• Click on "Notifications" then "People and Places"
• Look for the "Saved Parking" entry and deactivate it.

Keep in mind that Google Maps only allows you to save one parking slot at a time. Therefore, if you try to save a second location while one is already in storage, this new location will overwrite your original location.

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