How to Find Your Parked Car on Apple Maps: The Easiest Way

Updated at: 02/07/2025

Frustrated with searching for your parked car? Apple Maps offers a surprisingly simple solution. This guide shows you exactly how to use Apple Maps' built-in parking location feature, eliminating the frustrating hunt. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you never again waste precious time searching for your vehicle. Learn the easiest way to find your parked car and reclaim your time!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Enable Location Services

    • Enable Location Services for Apple Maps
    • Open Settings app on your iPhone, scroll down to Privacy & Security, tap on Location Services, and ensure it's enabled.
    Open Settings app on your iPhone, scroll down to Privacy & Security, tap on Location Services, and ensure it's enabled. Open Settings app on your iPhone, scroll down to Privacy & Security, tap on Location Services, and ensure it's enabled.
    Enable Location Services

  2. Enable Show Parked Location

    • Enable 'Show Parked Location' in Maps Settings
    • Go back to main Settings, scroll down, tap on Maps, and scroll to the bottom to find and enable 'Show Parked Location'.
    Go back to main Settings, scroll down, tap on Maps, and scroll to the bottom to find and enable 'Show Parked Location'. Go back to main Settings, scroll down, tap on Maps, and scroll to the bottom to find and enable 'Show Parked Location'.
    Enable Show Parked Location

  3. Connect CarPlay (Optional)

    • Connect your iPhone to your car's CarPlay (if available)
    Connect your iPhone to your car's CarPlay (if available)
    Connect CarPlay (Optional)

  4. Locate Parked Car

    • Open Apple Maps and Locate your parked car
    • Open the Apple Maps app. Your parked car location should appear on the map.
    Open the Apple Maps app. Your parked car location should appear on the map. Open the Apple Maps app. Your parked car location should appear on the map.
    Locate Parked Car
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Tips

  • A connection to your car's Bluetooth or CarPlay is required for accurate parking location saving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Enabling Location Services

Reason: Apple Maps needs access to your location to remember where you parked.
Solution: Go to your iPhone's Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Location Services, and ensure Location Services are enabled for Apple Maps.

2. Forgetting to Save Your Parking Location

Reason: Apple Maps doesn't automatically save your parking spot; you need to actively tell it.
Solution: Tap the blue dot representing your location on the map and select 'Mark Parking'.

3. Disabling Background App Refresh for Apple Maps

Reason: If background app refresh is off, Apple Maps may not accurately update your parking location or retrieve it later.
Solution: In your iPhone's Settings, go to General, then Background App Refresh, and make sure Apple Maps is allowed to refresh in the background.

FAQs

What if Apple Maps didn't automatically mark my parking location?
If Apple Maps didn't automatically detect your parking location, you can manually add it. After parking, open Apple Maps, tap the blue dot representing your current location, and then tap 'Mark My Parking'. You can also add a note or photo to help you remember where you parked.