Key Takeaways:

iPhone connection needed for parked car tracking: Your iPhone must connect to your car via CarPlay or Bluetooth; disconnecting helps Maps automatically record your parked location.
Enable ‘Show Parked Location’ in Settings: Go to Settings → Maps and toggle on Show Parked Location to let Apple Maps save your parking spot automatically.
How to find your parked car using Apple Maps: Once disconnected, Apple Maps drops a pin at your last car location—just tap it to view details or get walking directions.
Feature accuracy and limitations: The parked car marker depends on recent connections and may be less precise indoors, in underground garages, or rural areas.
Fix issues or try alternatives: Check that Location Services and Maps permissions are active, or use Google Maps’ parking reminder as a backup option.

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve parked our car in a crowded lot and forgotten where we left it. But be at ease, your iPhone can come to the rescue! With Apple Maps, you can easily track your car’s location and save yourself from the inconvenience. Here, I’ll show you how to use your iPhone to find your parked car location.

Things to Consider Before Getting started

You must pair your iOS device to your car’s CarPlay or Bluetooth system. Whenever your iPhone gets disconnected from your car’s Bluetooth or CarPlay system, it drops a parked car marker in the Maps app. For example, when you exit your vehicle, it severs the connection between the two.
Most newer cars have CarPlay. To check support for your vehicle, visit Apple’s CarPlay page. If you can’t see your car on the list, you can still use the car’s Bluetooth system.
Ensure Location Services, Significant Locations, and Bluetooth are enabled on your iPhone.
If you’re using a data connection, be sure to enable Cellular data for Maps.
To do this, head to Settings → Cellular → Show All → Toggle Maps on.

How to Enable ‘Show Parked Location’ on Your iPhone

Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Apps, and select Maps.
Under the Your Car section, toggle Show Parked Location on.

With this turned on, you should be able to see a Parked Car marker for your car’s current location.

Also, if you ever change your mind and find the feature annoying, you can just toggle off Show Parked Location to stop showing your parked location on your iPhone.

Find Your Parked Car Using Apple Maps on iPhone

With the feature turned on, Maps will automatically drop a marker on Maps when you disconnect your iPhone from your car.

You should see a notification indicating that Maps dropped a pin to mark your parking location. If you don’t see a notification, you probably didn’t connect to your vehicle’s CarPlay or Bluetooth system. Also, go to Settings → Notifications → Maps and ensure Time Sensitive Notifications is enabled.

To use it, just choose Parked Car below Siri Suggestions on the search card. Alternatively, type “parked car” in the search field. This should display your car’s location. If these don’t work, you can check via Maps. To do this:

Open the Maps app on your iPhone.
You’ll see a blue Parked Car marker on where you parked your car.
Tap the pin to see more details about the location.
Select Directions to get navigations to your parked car.

Tap the three-dot icon to get more options. You can add a note to help you remember the parking location, or Add a Photo to help you remember the place visually.

Limitations of Using Maps’ Parked Car Feature

Your car’s location will be based on the most recent time it was connected to your iPhone. So, suppose you last connected with your vehicle from location A but moved it to location B without connecting your iPhone to your car. Your car’s location will still be in location A.
When you park your car at a familiar location, such as your workplace or home, it won’t be marked.
Using this feature can also be confusing if you park inside establishments. While it will show the location, it can’t pinpoint the exact spot and level you’re on, so it’s wise to take note or take a photo of your exact parking slot.
While it works well in metropolitan areas, some users note problems using the feature in rural areas.

What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Parked Car Location on Your iPhone?

If you have already paired your iPhone to CarPlay or Bluetooth but still can’t see your parked car in Maps, check your settings:

Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → toggle it on.
Head back to Location Services → System Services → Significant Locations & Routes. Now, authenticate your Face ID and toggle it on.

Alternatives to Finding Your Car

If you aren’t a fan of Maps and prefer using Google Maps, you can also use Google Maps to save the location where you parked.

To do this,

Park your car.
Open Google Maps, tap the blue pin (where you’re currently located), and select Save Parking.
When heading back to the parking lot, tap the P pin, then choose Start. This will give you directions on how to get back to your car.