Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AirTags: Apple's Item Trackers - Everything We Know

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
66,551
35,784


Apple in April 2021 introduced the AirTag after years of rumors and speculation. The small circular tag is designed to be attached to items like keys and wallets to allow these accessories to be tracked using Bluetooth right alongside Apple devices in the Find My app.


AirTags Price

A single AirTag is priced at $29, and a package of four AirTags can be purchased for $99.

Apple_airtag-accessories-042021_big_carousel.jpg.large_.jpg

AirTags are available directly from Apple, and that price point does not include the accessories needed to attach the AirTag to an item. Apple sells AirTags accessories separately, and there are also several third-party options.

Third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are also offering AirTags for sale, and there can sometimes be good sales available.

AirTag Reviews

Ahead of the launch of AirTags, members of the media were able to test them out and first impressions are positive. AirTags have been described as "smart" and capable" for those in Apple's ecosystem, and tracking has been lauded for its accuracy.


It can sometimes take a full 30 seconds or more to get an initial location for an AirTag from another room, and it's possible to get inaccurate locations foiled by obstructions and walls due to Bluetooth. The U1 Precision Tracking is helpful to get around that.


Make sure to check out our full review roundup for additional details.

AirTags Design

The AirTag is a small, button-shaped tracking device with a glossy white front that can be customized with an engraving and a silver backing. AirTags are designed around the CR2032 batteries that are inside, and need additional accessories to attach to an item.

airtag-upcoming-block.jpg

AirTag measures in at 1.26 inches in diameter, and it has a height of 0.31 inches, or 8mm. It weighs 0.39 ounces (11 grams).

AirTags Engraving

Each AirTag can be engraved with up to four letters or emoji characters, though there are some restrictions on multiple emoji due to size limitations. There are also limitations on some emoji strings and phrases due to Apple's content filtering.

Apple_airtag-front-and-back-emoji-2up_042021_big.jpg.large_.jpg

You can't, for example, pair a horse emoji with the pile of poo emoji, nor can you use curse words.

AirTags Features

AirTags are added and managed in the Find My app under the "Items" tab. Like other Apple devices, each AirTag is displayed on a map in the Find My app so you can see its location. AirTags connect to your iOS and macOS devices over Bluetooth.

Apple_iphone12-airtag-findmyapp_042021_carousel.jpg.large_.jpg

Apple added a U1 chip in each AirTag so you can see its precise location indoors or out if it's nearby, or its last known location if it is not. There are built-in speakers to play a sound to find a lost AirTag in the house, and you can either play a sound through the Find My app or ask Siri to find an AirTag with a sound.

Screen-Shot.jpg

If an AirTag is lost or stolen, the Find My network can help you find it. The Find My Network takes advantage of hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to help you locate an AirTag, with the AirTag showing up on a map when it is located by someone else's device.

In Lost Mode, an AirTag will automatically send out a notification when it's detected by someone in the Find My network, and you can add your contact info so someone who finds your item can get in touch with you.

Apple is able to regularly update the AirTags firmware and has done so several times since the AirTags launched.

Precision Finding

iPhones with a U1 chip can take advantage of Precision Finding, a feature that lets you see specific instructions on how to get to your lost AirTag. Precision finding combines AR, sound, and haptic feedback to help you out. U1 chips are included in the iPhone 11 and later.

Returning a Lost AirTag

If you come across a lost AirTag, or if someone comes across your lost AirTag, it can be scanned with any smartphone that's equipped with NFC to bring up contact information.

This works on iPhones and Android devices, so if you find an item, give it a scan to locate the owner. If in Lost Mode, the AirTag will also relay its location back to the owner through the Find My network.

Separation Alerts

Apple in iOS 15 added Separation Alerts to the Find My app, which are designed to let you know if you leave an Apple device, a device attached to an AirTag, or a Find My-enabled third-party device behind... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: AirTags: Apple's Item Trackers - Everything We Know
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/airtags/
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Tivoli_ said:
Will definitely turn my Blue Tooth off as it might drain the battery if those things will try to constantly discover or connect to my phone.
Click to expand...
I have bluetooth always on due to my Apple Watch and also to connect my BT headphones. Similarly i have BT turned on, on my iPad to listen to music or play games. I have never noticed my iPad (or phone) to die quicker with BT turned on then with BT turned off.

BT used to be a battery killer, but ever since Bluetooth 4 was introduced it has hardly any impact on the battery anymore. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#Bluetooth_4
 
  • Like
Reactions: orbital~debris, RalfTheDog, t1meless1nf1n1t and 1 other person
TBH, after Apple merged Find My Friends and Find My Device, it doesn’t seem to work as well and there is no Refresh tab in the new Find My app. I would hold off on investing these until the app improves. Find People option seem to take quite a while before it locates the person. At times, I find the Find Device to be inaccurate at times too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gixxerfool
Geez! You have more information than what Apple will put in their website *IF* they actually launch... *cough* Airpower *Cough*
 
If you go to the new AirPods Pro website, at the bottom you can preview the AR used to find the lost AirPods Pro. I’m sure this will be how AirTags will show up as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iGeneo
For me this one looks like a preferred candidate to access the circle of brickable devices due to allegedly missing wired restore options. HomePod, Apple Watch and TV are proud members already.
 
I love the concept of these, and I think they’re going to be ridiculously popular. But speaking for myself, I’m not one to misplace things, I always tend to have track mentally somewhere where all my belongings are. Now, we all lose things at some time, maybe it’s just because I’m just organized/structured that I don’t feel this product would be for me, but I definitely _could_ make the recommendation for several people I know that would love something like this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back