How often do you get ready to walk out the door only to discover that you can’t find your keys? How often do you search the house for way too long before giving up, thinking the item is just gone? If you’re tired of losing important things like your wallet or keys too often, don’t worry; Apple has recently released the AirTag, which is a handy way to track lost items.
An Apple AirTag is a small wireless device that can be attached to easily misplaced items like keys, wallets, etc., and tracked on an iPhone through the Find My app. The app will track these items by following the AirTag radar in case these items are lost or stolen.
It may sound too good to be true, or it may appear to be just yet another tech product that will eventually lose its appeal after a few months. Continue reading to discover what the AirTag has to offer and how to use the device.
What Is an Apple AirTag?
An Apple AirTag is a small device that you clip onto everyday mobile items which might easily be lost or stolen. It attaches to keys, backpacks, purses, and more.
How Does the AirTag Work?
Instead of using an internet connection, AirTags send their signal by way of Bluetooth. When you are nearby, to locate an item, the AirTag device will create a sound when asked by Siri or the Find My app. The ultra-wideband technology allows the device’s location to be more precisely pinpointed, but it is only compatible with newer iPhone models, such as:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max
- iPhone 12/mini
- iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max
- iPhone 13/mini
- iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max
AirTags can also be tracked with iPads and other Mac devices as long as the iOS is up to date.
How to Use Apple AirTag
First, you will want to set up the item through your iPhone. This way, it is linked to your own Apple ID so that no other person can track it. However, since it is connected to the Apple system, you can use other Apple products which might be nearby that can share the location of your AirTag with you, the owner.
What Can an Apple AirTag Track?
An Apple AirTag can track nearly any object, although it’s more commonly used to track items that are commonly lost or stolen.
Consider using the AirTag with items you want to have with you before you leave the house—the items you search for by tapping pockets or rummaging through purses to make sure they are there. For many, this would include car and house keys, a wallet, or a phone charger.
Other good items to keep track of in the household with AirTag include the TV remote, reading glasses, or a purse. Items to track that you wouldn’t want to lose out in public or items at risk of being stolen might include a backpack or purse, a camera, clothing items such as hats or jackets, and laptops.
Can an AirTag Track People?
For security reasons, if someone has planted their own AirTag in your belongings, your iPhone’s Find My app will alert you to the AirTag being detected. There is a sound that goes off if you’re near an AirTag that has been separated from its owner.
To read more about these safety measures, visit the MacRumors website. They go into more depth about the preventions in place to protect you from stalking. (For this reason, Apple has suggested using the Apple Watch to keep track of children instead of AirTag.)
Can I Use AirTag to Track When I’m Abroad?
If you plan to travel, keep in mind that not all countries support ultra-wideband, so precision tracking won’t work in many countries, including Indonesia, Pakistan, and Russia.
You can still use Bluetooth to get an idea of where items might be, but the app won’t be able to track the exact location.
Final Thoughts
An Apple AirTag is a small location device used to track items that are often misplaced. There are many measures in place to ensure privacy and safety surrounding the ability to track locations and protect individuals. It’s important to research these safety measures before purchasing the product. It’s a good feeling, though, to be aware of where your things are at all times.
But in all these situations, you want to make sure you hang onto your phone, so you can track these lost items. Otherwise, the AirTag becomes useless.