We’ve all lost our keys at some point in our lives. I have definitely been guilty of misplacing my keys around the house and spending all day looking for them in a complete state of panic. This is precisely what makes using the Apple Airtag so refreshing. With the Precision Finding specifications, you can easily find misplaced things. However, you can’t use Precision Finding on your phone in some cases, and those lost items can be even harder to find. So why does that happen?
It turns out there are several reasons why your Airtag can’t find a signal:
- Geographical restrictions to Ultra-Wideband technology.
- The U1 chip on your phone is not enabled.
- There is an error with your WiFi or Bluetooth connection.
- You have disabled location services.
- Your phone needs to go through a forced restart.
- There is a glitch in the Airtag, which needs a reset.
Having software guide you towards lost items is always more accessible than finding them on your own. So, if your Airtag cannot detect signals anymore, it is time for you to troubleshoot. In this article, we will explain how you can fix this issue. Keep reading through to understand the core issue and how you can solve it.
How To Fix An Airtag That Can’t Detect Signals
If you feel like your Airtag can’t detect signals in your Airtag, the first issue to look at is the distance. Sometimes, if you are too far away, your phone will not be able to detect the Airtag and connect to it. If you are sure the Airtag is in range, you can start looking at the factors below.
Check If You Have Ultra-Wideband Technology
The way that the Airtag can use precision finding is through a chip inside the device. This is called the U1 chip, and it uses Ultra-Wideband technology to locate your Airtag. It uses a meager amount of battery power and can send out signals to devices attempting to fund the Airtag.
However, there are some regions where this technology is not operational. This is due to a mixture of safety concerns and laws and regulations. So, it is good to check where Ultra-Wideband technology is inaccessible before you make an Airtag purchase.
Related: What Is Apple AirTag?
Enable The U1 Chip On The Airtag
Above, we mentioned the U1 chip and its importance for Precision Finding. This helps to make sure you have access to your Airtag. If you know that the technology is accessible in your region, the next issue might be that the chip is not enabled on your phone. However, there is a simple fix fr this problem. You can follow these steps to enable the U1 chip on your phone:
- On your iPhone, open up the Settings App.
- Once open, select the option ‘Privacy.’
- Then, select the ‘Location Services’ button.
- You’ll have to scroll to the bottom and choose the option ‘System Services.’
- From here, make sure that the ‘Network & Wireless’ option is toggled towards the ‘On’ side.
Reset The WiFi And Bluetooth Connection
If you’re having trouble connecting your Airtag device, even if it is close by, the phone’s Bluetooth or WiFi connection could be the culprit. Airtags connect to your phone using both of these services. If either is not on or cannot work correctly due to glitches, you cannot locate your Airtag.
However, there are some steps to take. The first one is just to switch off all of these connections on your phone and then restart it. Alternatively, switch to Airplane mode, and restart your iPhone. Another option is to reset your WiFi and Bluetooth connection using these steps:
- Open up your iPhone’s Settings App.
- From here, navigate to ‘General.’
- Scroll to the bottom and choose ‘Reset.’
- You will be taken to a new page, where you can look for ‘Reset Network Settings.’
- The iPhone will prompt you to add your password to confirm the action.
- After that, select ‘Reset Network Settings’ again.
Restart Location Services
Your phone also has location services aside from the usual WiFi and Bluetooth connection. Minor errors in this service can make it hard for you to locate your Airtag. These errors are easy to address by restarting your location services, using the steps below:
- In the Settings App, select the option ‘Privacy.’
- From here, select the option Location Services.
- Switch off the toggle next to this option.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Once the phone starts again, go back and switch on Location Services again.
The Airtag uses location services precisely within the Find My app. Here, it would be best to give the Airtag location access so your phone can detect and interpret the signal. This means giving it the necessary pe4rmisions to do its job the right way. To switch this on, go to the Find My page in your Settings, and select ‘While Using App’ as the setting.
Restart Your iPhone
Your iPhone runs using firmware and software. And, just like any other device, your phone has the ability to run into glitches at any time. One of the ways to erase minor glitches is to restart your phone. It’s straightforward to do this – select the volume up and the power button. Keep pressing down till you see an Apple logo.
Do An Airtag Factory Reset
If you haven’t found a fix yet, one of the last things you can try is to restart the Airtag. This is one of the things that will most likely address your issue. The factory reset deletes all saved data, but you can always set it up again on your iPhone. So, if you want to factory reset your Airtag, here are the steps to follow:
- Open up the Find My App on your iPhone.
- Select the Items tab at the end of the page.
- Select your Airtag, and swipe up to see its settings.
- Choose ‘Remove Item.’
- The phone will show you a warning saying it will need to be activated again. Confirm this step.
- The Airtag is reset; you can add it again to your iPhone as a new device.
Conclusion
Airtags don’t come cheap, so any issues with devices are pretty frustrating and worrying. However, we hope that with these quick tips, you can bring your Airtag back to life and find all your missing items!