A method and system for applying vehicle settings to a vehicle is provided. The method and system include determining if a portable device is connected to the vehicle. The method and system also include identifying a first settings profile that is linked to the portable device upon determining that an auto-link functionality is enabled on the vehicle. The method and system further include determining if a user input is received to link a second settings profile to the portable device and identifying the second settings profile that is linked to the portable device. The method and system also include applying a settings profile to control a vehicle system during a current drive cycle of the vehicle, wherein the settings profile applied to control a vehicle system includes the first settings profile or the second settings profile.