Admit it! Even you have forgotten (at least once) where you had parked your car. This is probably one of the most common problems that every car owner faces today. Anyone can forget the location of the car and by using the map tracking feature in the Apple SmartWatch, it becomes very easy to locate it without any hassle.

With the rise in usage and prevalence of apps, it has become difficult to even imagine life without these convenient applications. One of the most convenient apps, in my opinion, has been the Maps application with features that include getting directions, marking positions, locating places, and much more. No longer do you need to ask around for directions or even common facilities? All you need to do is to enter the information in the maps application and watch as it works its magic and reveals a world of information (often in real time).

When Apple brought out its SmartWatch, it knew about the potential application of the watch and how certain apps would help in using the device to its full potential. The company provided a built-in feature in the Maps app (loaded on the SmartWatch) which allows ‘location pinning’. This is just a fancy term for dropping a digital marker on the map to mark the spot that you would like to return to. Once the marker has been placed, you can go anywhere and be assured that the app will help you to return to the marked spot. Finding your missing car, boat, hiking trail, or whatever else you tend to misplace, lose, or forget has never been easier than this.

Here is how you do it.

Step 1: Open the Maps Application on the Apple Watch

Open the maps app on your Apple SmartWatch. You should arrive at an interface as depicted in the image above. There should be a blue dot marking your current position. If the dot doesn’t indicate your current position, then tap on the arrow (in the bottom left section) and the dot should move to indicate your current location.

Step 2: Mark Your Location

When the blue dot indicates your current position, you need to mark this position. This would be the position where you parked your car. It could also be any location that you need to visit again, but there is a possibility that you could forget the location. For marking the location, swipe downwards on the screen and the option “mark my location” should appear. Selecting this option will place a pin on the marked location for future reference.

Step 3: Choose the Mode of Transport (When Returning) For Directions

When you intend to return to the marked location, all you need to do is open the maps app, tap on the pinned location, and select the mode of transport for getting the directions to the marked location. Remember, the map app requires your mode of transport to determine the best route for reaching the mentioned location.

Step 4: Tap “Start” to Initiate Navigation

Once you have provided your mode of transport, you only need to tap the “start” button to initiate the navigation. The map app will give you proper directions with voice-guided assistance (if enabled) so that you may reach the marked location without any trouble.

Step 5: Update the Marked Location Once You Reach

When you reach the location, the system will update the same and stop the navigational directions. However, the pin marker will continue to be there. If you no longer need the location to be marked, then you would have to remove it manually. You could also let the marker remain as it is if the marked location is a frequented spot such as your office parking, specific locations, etc.

Other Applications of this Feature

Locating your parked car is just one of the ways to use the “pinned location” feature in the Apple SmartWatch. You can easily use it to tag and get navigational instructions for just about any place that you can pin on the map. This is an exceptionally useful tool for people who have relocated to a new city where remembering directions and routes can prove to be a cumbersome activity. The problem gets a bit more complicated if you are unaware of the local dialect/language.

Another possible use of this feature would be to assist people with memory problems to return to a haven if they ever find themselves lost. This can happen to any person suffering from memory problems. Family members or friends may help such people to mark a safe location where they may return if they ever get lost or don’t remember where to go. The feature may be pretty simple, but its applications have immense potential in helping people find their way accurately, thus saving time and preventing unnecessary stress.