Google Maps is already useful for drivers because it can help them navigate to their destination, but now it can help you pay for parking when you get there, too.
Google has partnered with Passport to begin allowing users to pay for parking from Google Maps. The feature is starting to roll out in Austin, TX today and will widely roll out there in the coming weeks.
When navigating with Google Maps on Android or iOS, you'll see a "Pay for parking" button at the bottom of your screen after you arrive at your destination. Tapping it will take you to the "Pay for parking" page, which you can also access directly using your phone's browser.
From there, you'll enter information like the parking zone number and your vehicle's details, the latter of which will be saved to speed up the process in the future. You'll then decide how long you want to park and choose the Google Pay payment method you'd like to use.
You can also extend your parking time by going to the "Pay for parking" page and following the on-screen instructions.
This isn't the first time that you'll be able to pay for parking with your phone, as there are dedicated parking apps available. However, Google's new method is handy because it's built into Google Maps, a hugely popular app that helps people navigate while in their cars.
In addition to making it easier to pay for parking since you don't have to fumble with coins or your credit card, this digital parking payment can be safer because you don't have to physically touch parking meters or ticketing machines.
