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Can Google Maps save your car's location?

Forgetting where you parked can be a huge nuisance in large parking lots or unfamiliar areas. Luckily, America's most popular navigation app allows drivers to save their vehicle's location so finding it later on is easy.

Instead of having to buy a tracking device to find your car in a busy parking area, Maps has a feature that allows users to mark the exact location that they parked their vehicles. It's easy to use and completely free.

How to use Google Maps to save your car's location

To save your car's location, tap the blue dot representing your current location in the app once parked. After clicking the blue dot, Maps will present you with several options for this location. Scroll to the right of the many options and choose the "Save parking" option, with the "P" for parking icon.

After selecting the "Save parking" option, Map users can add parking notes and even set a timer for when they have to return to that specific spot. They can also share that parking location with others. The parking location will appear at the top of your Google Maps search, so you can use the app for walking directions without losing the parking location.

Once you are ready to return to your parking spot, select the parking location by clicking the "Search here" browser in Maps. You can then select the walking navigation option to get directions to your parking spot and clear the location once you have arrived at your vehicle.

Using Google Assistant to save your parking spot

Android users can also verbally use Google Assistant to save their parking spots without having to press any icons or buttons within the Maps app. Simply say "Ok Google, remember where I parked my car," and Google Assistant will save your parking location within the Maps app.

What else can you do with your Google Maps location?

Saving your parking location isn't the only thing you can do with Google Maps' location features. You can also share the specific location you're in with anyone. Say you find an area where there's ample parking that isn't a listed parking area or landmark. You can share your current location with friends or family to effectively guide them to an area with parking in just a few clicks.

Maps allows you to share "real-time location" as well, so friends and family can find you even when you're on the move. Additonally, Maps allows users to contribute to its mapping service by using its "Add a missing place" feature. This can help users add unlisted businesses or locations so users can navigate to specific locations in the future.

Can you mark a parking spot on Waze?

Google Maps isn't the only popular Google-owned navigation app that allows users to mark their parking spots without an additional device or subscription. Waze can also save parking spots based on location.

To mark a parking spot in Waze, hold down your finger on the location of your parking spot on the Waze app. A pin with appear with three dots to the right of it representing location options. Selecting the "Mark your parking spot" option allows you to save your parking spot in the app and navigate to it when needed.

Using navigation apps to mark your parking spots can save you valuable time searching for your car in crowded and unfamiliar areas. It can also relieve the anxiety of forgetting where you originally parked. Navigation apps have simplified driving and parking for users thanks to satellite technology.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Can Google Maps save your parking spot? How to find your car easily

Reporting by Charles Singh , USA TODAY / Nashville Tennessean

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