Tracking where I left my car

[AM2354]

I don't have an expensive fancy car with all the bells and whistles. My objective is to park my car at the mall and then if there is anything on my iPhone or to buy an app, to trace where I go so I can retrace my steps back to my car without walking around the parking lot looking for my car. Is there such a thing, and how hard is it to set up?

 

[erihp]

I don't have an expensive fancy car with all the bells and whistles. My objective is to park my car at the mall and then if there is anything on my iPhone or to buy an app, to trace where I go so I can retrace my steps back to my car without walking around the parking lot looking for my car. Is there such a thing, and how hard is it to set up?

Airtag.

You can also use your iPhone if your car has Bluetooth, but an Airtag is better.

Use Maps on your iPhone to find your parked car's location - Apple Support

On an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 10 or later, Maps can drop a parked car marker when you disconnect your iPhone from your car’s Bluetooth or CarPlay system.

support.apple.com

 

[Boppi]

Once you've parked open Maps and touch the blue dot, which is your current location. You'll see a Mark My Location button. Google Maps has a similar feature.

You can also say "hey Siri, remember where I parked" and the location will be marked in Maps.

 

[erihp]

Once you've parked open Maps and touch the blue dot, which is your current location. You'll see a Mark My Location button. Google Maps has a similar feature.

You can also say "hey Siri, remember where I parked" and the location will be marked in Maps.

Note, if the car has bluetooth you dont have to do any of this manual nonsense.

 

[Boppi]

Note, if the car has bluetooth you dont have to do any of this manual nonsense.

Right, but the OP's car does not, that's why he was asking.

I don't have an expensive fancy car with all the bells and whistles.

 

[erihp]

Right, but the OP's car does not, that's why he was asking.

Not sure you can know that based on that statement. Especially when in-car bluetooth dongles are like $10, and tons of not 'expensive' cars have it built in.

I wouldnt call or consider having one 'fancy' or 'bells and whistles'.

That said, a BT dongle would be a great upgrade if not.

If its truly a hoopty with just an FM radio:

Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Car - BAISHUN Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter PD20W+QC3.0 Cigarette Lighter Radio Receiver Music Player Car Charger Supports Hands-Free Call Siri Google Assistant

1. Hi-Fi Stereo lossless sound 2. Bluetooth 5.0 3. 3 Music Play modes: Bluetooth & U disk & TF card Handsfree Calling 4. Voice Navigation 5. QC 3.0 + PD Quick Charger: 4x faster than standard charger, can charge 3 devices simultaneously 6. Car Voltage Monitoring 7. Plug&Play: Short pres...

www.amazon.com

Or if you have USB and Aux:

UGREEN Aux to Bluetooth 6.0 Adapter 3.5mm Bluetooth Receiver for Car USB 2.0 to 3.5mm Jack Kit with Built-in Microphone Aux Input for Hands-Free Calls Compatible with Car Speaker and Home Audio

Add Bluetooth to Your Car: UGREEN Bluetooth receiver is designed to turn home or audio systems, or speakers into hands-free, Bluetooth-enabled devices. If you want to stream music or listen to phone conversations through car’s speakers, but your vehicle didn’t come with Bluetooth, UGREEN Bluetoot...

www.amazon.com

 

[dwig]

Back in the day (I've got a new "fancy" car now) I'd just step toward the mall, or whatever, a few car lengths and take a pic of the car. I could then view the pic and view the location display read from the GPS data in the pic to get a map showing where I was when I took the pic. This, of course is not super precise, but I could fine tune the location by just looking at the pic.

 

[erihp]

Back in the day (I've got a new "fancy" car now) I'd just step toward the mall, or whatever, a few car lengths and take a pic of the car. I could then view the pic and view the location display read from the GPS data in the pic to get a map showing where I was when I took the pic. This, of course is not super precise, but I could fine tune the location by just looking at the pic.

back in my day you had to leave a trail of bread or listen for ma callin' to find your way back from the general store!

 

[MacCheetah3]

A fuller scope:

Mark a location with a pin in Maps on iPhone

In Maps on iPhone, pin spots on the map to help you find those locations later.

support.apple.com

Once you've parked open Maps and touch the blue dot, which is your current location. You'll see a Mark My Location button. Google Maps has a similar feature.

You can also say "hey Siri, remember where I parked" and the location will be marked in Maps.