You can use your iPhone's built-in features to quickly locate your parked car. The most reliable method is through the Maps app, which can automatically record your car's location when it disconnects from your car's Bluetooth or CarPlay system. The Parked Car feature saves the GPS coordinates, allowing you to get walking or driving directions back to the spot. If this doesn't work automatically, you can manually drop a pin in Maps or use the Compass app to mark your location.
For this to work, you need to ensure a few settings are correct. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and make sure it's on. Then, scroll down to System Services and enable Significant Locations. Finally, in the Maps app settings, toggle on Show Parked Location. This feature is most accurate when your iPhone detects the end of a trip by losing the connection to your car's audio system.
If you're in a large parking structure, consider taking a photo of your parking spot number or a nearby landmark. You can also use the Measure app to scan the area and create a visual marker. For those times when your car's location isn't automatically saved, manually saving a parking location is a foolproof habit.
| Method | Key Setting/App | Typical Accuracy | iOS Version Requirement | Key Prerequisite |
|---|
| Automatic (Parked Car) | Maps App | 5-20 meters | iOS 10 and later | Bluetooth/CarPlay connection to car |
| Manual Pin | Maps App | 3-10 meters | All versions | Location Services enabled |
| Compass Waypoint | Compass App | 5-15 meters | iOS 14 and later | Calibrated compass |
| Photo with Geotag | Camera App | 1-5 meters | All versions | Location access for Camera |
| Third-Party App (e.g., Google Maps) | Google Maps | 5-15 meters | App installed | Manually save parking |
