When traveling, losing items can be a nightmare for anyone who experiences it. Fortunately, the innovation of AirTag, released by the leading technology company Apple, comes as a practical solution for easily tracking belongings.
With advanced tracking technology, AirTag can help you locate your suitcase, bag, or even a misplaced passport with just a few taps on your iPhone. But what exactly is an AirTag?
About Apple AirTag
AirTag is a small tracking device from Apple designed to help users locate important items like keys, wallets, bags, or suitcases. AirTag works with Bluetooth technology and connects to the Find My app on the iPhone, allowing users to see the location of lost or misplaced items.
If the item being searched for is out of range, the Find My network helps locate it by sending a signal to nearby Apple devices without revealing the user’s personal data.
This signal is sent anonymously and encrypted, so other Apple device owners don’t know that they are indirectly helping to find the missing AirTag. Later, the location information of the AirTag will be sent to iCloud and can be viewed in the Find My app.
For example, if you leave a bag with an AirTag in a café, the AirTag will send a signal to the nearest Apple device anonymously. You can then see the last location of the bag in the Find My app and locate it more easily.
Additionally, it’s important to know that AirTag can only be used on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch devices running iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 and later.
Functions of AirTag
The main function of AirTag is to help track and locate important items such as keys, wallets, bags, or suitcases that are lost. Read the full explanation below.
Tracking Lost Items
AirTag allows users to track important items like keys, wallets, bags, suitcases, or even bicycles through the Find My app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
If the item is still within Bluetooth range (about 10–15 meters), users can see its location directly on the map through the Find My app.
If the item is out of Bluetooth range, AirTag will utilize the Find My network to anonymously transmit its location through other nearby Apple devices.
For users of iPhone 11 or newer, the Precision Finding feature helps locate the AirTag more accurately using a combination of sound, vibration, and on-screen directional guidance.
Lost Mode
If an AirTag is difficult to find, users can activate Lost Mode in the Find My app.
Once Lost Mode is active, the AirTag will send a notification to the user’s iPhone if it’s detected by another Apple device in the Find My network.
Users can also enter a phone number or custom message so that if someone finds the AirTag and scans it with an iPhone or Android device with NFC, they can see the contact information and return the item.
Lost Mode operates with encryption, ensuring privacy is maintained and only the AirTag owner can see its location.
Distance Notifications
If users leave behind an item equipped with an AirTag somewhere, the iPhone will automatically send a notification to remind them that the item has been left behind.
This feature is especially useful while traveling, particularly in crowded places like airports, stations, or restaurants.
Users can set exceptions for certain locations, such as home or office, so that notifications don’t appear if they intentionally leave items at those places.
Sound for Searching
If an item is misplaced nearby, AirTag has a built-in speaker that can emit sound to help with locating it.
Users can play this sound via the Find My app, making it easier to find the AirTag under piles of belongings or in large spaces.
This feature is very useful for locating items at home, in the office, or even in a vehicle.
Benefits of Using AirTag
Using AirTag provides various benefits for users who want to keep their belongings safe and easily found. Whether for everyday use or while traveling, AirTag offers peace of mind by ensuring important items are always within the user’s reach.
Preventing Item Loss
AirTag helps users easily track and find important items. If users often forget where they place their keys, wallets, or bags, AirTag can be a practical solution.
With the Find My app, users can also see the last known location of the AirTag on a map, play a sound from the AirTag’s speaker to locate it, or even use the Precision Finding feature on iPhone to know the direction and distance to the AirTag accurately.
This makes the likelihood of losing items much smaller or even non-existent.
No Subscription Required
Unlike some other tracking devices that require monthly subscription fees, AirTag does not incur additional costs after purchase. Users can access all tracking features without having to pay subscription fees. This makes AirTag a more economical solution in the long term.
Efficient Design
AirTag has a small, lightweight, and minimalist design, shaped like a coin with a diameter of about 3.2 cm and weighing only 11 grams. This size makes it easy to place the AirTag in a wallet, bag, or attach it to a keychain with additional accessories.
Long Battery Life
AirTag uses a CR2032 battery that can last up to one year before needing replacement. The battery can also be easily replaced by the user without any special tools or technician assistance.
Guaranteed Security and Privacy
Apple places great importance on user privacy when using AirTag. All location data transmitted through the Find My network is fully encrypted, so only the AirTag owner can see its location.
Additionally, Apple has implemented anti-stalking features that will alert iPhone users if there is an unknown and suspicious AirTag moving with them for a prolonged period.
How to Use AirTag
Using AirTag is very easy and practical. Here are the complete steps for using AirTag to its fullest potential.
Setting Up AirTag
- Make sure your iPhone/iPad is running iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 or later.
- Bring the AirTag close to the iPhone → A popup will appear → Tap “Connect.”
- Choose a name for the AirTag → Connect it to your Apple ID → Done!
Tracking Items with AirTag
- Open the Find My app → Select Items → Choose your AirTag.
- If the item is nearby, use the Precision Finding feature.
- If the item is out of range, the AirTag will transmit its location through the Find My network.
Activating Lost Mode If Missing
- Open Find My → Select your AirTag → Activate Lost Mode.
- Enter your phone number/email so anyone who finds it can contact you.
- If the AirTag is detected, you’ll receive a notification with its latest location.
Replacing the AirTag Battery
- Press and rotate the AirTag’s cover counterclockwise.
- Replace it with a CR2032 battery, ensuring the + (positive) side faces up.
- Reattach the cover clockwise → The AirTag will emit a sound → Ready to use!
