And to think I can no longer leave my stuff at the office? It starts beeping like crazy when I am not there!

[dontwalkhand]

Is this something that I can control or stop? I always leave my MacBook on occasion from time to time at the office, in a bag, with an AirTag on it. I came into the office today to find the thing beeping non stop. To add context to this, our office is pretty much all Apple products, which means iPhones are picking up the AirTag signal left and right. The worst part is that this happened after one day of it being left at the office, not the original 3 days as promised or stated by Apple.

However, I am not attempting to stalk anyone, the bag doesn't move when I am gone, but the thing was beeping like crazy instead. Short of annoying other people who work here, how do I go about making sure the thing shuts up, short of just removing the AirTag?

I have my work address properly saved and everything on my contacts card. This is a major flaw, as I do like to keep a good amount of my stuff at the office, because of certain reasons, its sometimes safer there than at home!

 

[usagora]

Hmm, I thought they only did that if they were IN MOVEMENT and away from your iPhone. But according to this article, they'll "beep if they are away from their owner's iPhone - at a random time between eight and 24 hours - to alert people nearby."

Apple updates AirTags after stalking fears

Critics say the miniature trackers could be used to secretly monitor people's location.

www.bbc.com

Makes no sense to me. How could a stationary AirTag be used to stalk anyone?

 

[dontwalkhand]

Hmm, I thought they only did that if they were IN MOVEMENT and away from your iPhone. But according to this article, they'll "beep if they are away from their owner's iPhone - at a random time between eight and 24 hours - to alert people nearby."

Apple updates AirTags after stalking fears

Critics say the miniature trackers could be used to secretly monitor people's location.

www.bbc.com

Makes no sense to me. How could a stationary AirTag be used to stalk anyone?

It wasn't moved at all, the bag was exactly in the same position as I left it, just decided to annoy the office instead (and worse, drain the battery). I guess I will be taking this bag home with me every night, because I would rather do that than remove the AirTag and need it when I don't have it.

 

[usagora]

It wasn't moved at all, the bag was exactly in the same position as I left it, just decided to annoy the office instead (and worse, drain the battery). I guess I will be taking this bag home with me every night, because I would rather do that than remove the AirTag and need it when I don't have it.

If I were you, I'd definitely contact Apple about that. Do you happen to have another AirTag you could switch it out with to see if the same thing happens? Again, I just can't imagine that's how they intend it to work.

 

[RedGT]

Maybe they need unparing/paring….I mean if they beep but there is no movement in their location, then surely if you lived in quite a big property and the tags were far away from the phone in the same house for a few days wouldn’t this be problematic??

 

[Maconplasma]

The OP's Airtag is working as intended. It works this way for two reasons.

1) Once it's separated from the owner (outside of the bluetooth range) after several hours it's supposed to beep to alert someone nearby (especially if it's a co-worker) so they'll know that owner lost or left their stuff behind. Not sure why anyone here thinks it should only beep when the Airtag is mobile? How would that make any sense? That would suggest that Apple designed these for anti-theft.

2) The other reason for the beep is to protect people from being stalked. There should be no reason for Apple to allow customers to turn off the beep otherwise they could stalk people. Doesn't matter if the OP is not trying to stalk anyone, plenty of others would attempt to use them for that reason.

Once the OP gets within the bluetooth range it shouldn't still beep. But if you don't want to annoy others at work then don't leave your stuff at work with an Airtag attached to them. Apple has made it clear that the Airtags are not for anti-theft.

 

[Geckotek]

Ok, this makes no sense to me. I was going to purchase several AirTags to put on items I'm not always carrying, such as my camera bag.

So you're saying that if I buy a package of 4 AirTags and activate them with my iPhone I will need to have all 4 in the vicinity of my iPhone at all times or they will start beeping? My wife will kill me if I leave something so annoying like that at home! (and I also have a bag I leave at work).

 

[Maconplasma]

Ok, this makes no sense to me. I was going to purchase several AirTags to put on items I'm not always carrying, such as my camera bag.

So you're saying that if I buy a package of 4 AirTags and activate them with my iPhone I will need to have all 4 in the vicinity of my iPhone at all times or they will start beeping? My wife will kill me if I leave something so annoying like that at home! (and I also have a bag I leave at work).

It's not quite the way you're stating.

 

[Preed08]

It's not quite the way you're stating.

Please explain for the rest of us then?

 

[Maconplasma]

Please explain for the rest of us then?

I already explained it for the "rest of us" on post #6.

 

[Geckotek]

It's not quite the way you're stating.

How is this not what I'm stating?

1) Once it's separated from the owner (outside of the bluetooth range) after several hours it's supposed to beep to alert someone nearby (especially if it's a co-worker) so they'll know that owner lost or left their stuff behind.

 

[Maconplasma]

How is this not what I'm stating?

"So you're saying that if I buy a package of 4 AirTags and activate them with my iPhone I will need to have all 4 in the vicinity of my iPhone at all times or they will start beeping?"

That's not correct. Once you're out of the bluetooth range it takes several hours to possibly the next day (Apple originally had it 3 days before beeping but shortened it) before it beeps, not the moment you're out of range. Apple understandably so will not state exactly when after several hours the beeping begins. If you're attempting to use Airtags for anti-theft then you're buying them for the wrong reasons and Apple has stated that they don't support that.

 

[sevoneone]

1) Once it's separated from the owner (outside of the bluetooth range) after several hours it's supposed to beep to alert someone nearby (especially if it's a co-worker) so they'll know that owner lost or left their stuff behind. Not sure why anyone here thinks it should only beep when the Airtag is mobile? How would that make any sense? That would suggest that Apple designed these for anti-theft.

Right, but that is not how Apple states it. There is supposed to be an alert on their iPhone that an AirTag they don't own appears to be moving with them and they have the option to play a sound to locate it. If the AirTag is still following the person sometime after the notification, it will automatically play a sound. AirTags that are not moving triggering alerts and playing sounds after only a few hours of being separated from their owner makes no sense. If I live in an apartment/condo, should the AirTag in my briefcase in my closet alert my neighbor, whose bedroom is a couple of feet away on the other side of the wall, that it might be stalking him if it has been sitting there for a few days and I am away on vacation?

Edit: Screenshot from Apple.com

 

[Maconplasma]

Right, but that is not how Apple states it. There is supposed to be an alert on their iPhone that an AirTag they don't own appears to be moving with them and they have the option to play a sound to locate it. If the AirTag is still following the person sometime after the notification, it will automatically play a sound. AirTags that are not moving triggering alerts and playing sounds after only a few hours of being separated from their owner makes no sense. If I live in an apartment/condo, should the AirTag in my briefcase in my closet alert my neighbor, whose bedroom is a couple of feet away on the other side of the wall, that it might be stalking him if it has been sitting there for a few days and I am away on vacation?

Edit: Screenshot from Apple.com

View attachment 1831626

The last part of that paragraph "These alerts are triggered only when an Airtag is separated from it's owner" is exactly what I stated to that other member. Furthermore what you're stating only applies to people who have an iPhone. For the rest who don't have iPhones to alert them that someone else's Airtag is with them the beep automatically happens after some time. Apple's statement is not saying the Airtag must be "moving" in order to beep but overall that's the point to prevent stalking.

 

[Geckotek]

"So you're saying that if I buy a package of 4 AirTags and activate them with my iPhone I will need to have all 4 in the vicinity of my iPhone at all times or they will start beeping?"

That's not correct. Once you're out of the bluetooth range it takes several hours to possibly the next day (Apple originally had it 3 days before beeping but shortened it) before it beeps, not the moment you're out of range. Apple understandably so will not state exactly when after several hours the beeping begins. If you're attempting to use Airtags for anti-theft then you're buying them for the wrong reasons and Apple has stated that they don't support that.

The point being, I cannot leave an AirTag in my camera bag that I do not carry on my person on a regular basis without expecting it to start beeping annoyingly when I'm away. So while it's not "the moment"...the point I was trying to make is STILL VALID.

Even if theft isn't the primary purpose, I want to be able to leave the AirTag on the item at all times so that when I do take it out of my home, it's ready to work. I shouldn't have to constantly be managing my AirTags.

I was pretty excited about Apple finally releasing a competitive product that would blow away Tile. Seems I was mistaken. What a disappointment.

 

[Maconplasma]

The point being, I cannot leave an AirTag in my camera bag that I do not carry on my person on a regular basis without expecting it to start beeping annoyingly when I'm away. So while it's not "the moment"...the point I was trying to make is STILL VALID.

Even if theft isn't the primary purpose, I want to be able to leave the AirTag on the item at all times so that when I do take it out of my home, it's ready to work. I shouldn't have to constantly be managing my AirTags.

I was pretty excited about Apple finally releasing a competitive product that would blow away Tile. Seems I was mistaken. What a disappointment.

Well sorry for you. This is not new news. Your required needs fall under the categories of anti-theft and stalking which are not supported. Also we’re just having a discussion. Your tone is unnecessary. 🙄

 

[Geckotek]

And using trackers for anti-theft was a use for other trackers before the AirTag was released. Expecting that functionality from AirTags is only natural.

 

[fischersd]

And using trackers for anti-theft was a use for other trackers before the AirTag was released. Expecting that functionality from AirTags is only natural.

Wrap it up so it doesn't make any noise. (sandwich bag and masking tape works pretty well)

 

[onenorth]

The last part of that paragraph "These alerts are triggered only when an Airtag is separated from it's owner" is exactly what I stated to that other member. Furthermore what you're stating only applies to people who have an iPhone. For the rest who don't have iPhones to alert them that someone else's Airtag is with them the beep automatically happens after some time. Apple's statement is not saying the Airtag must be "moving" in order to beep but overall that's the point to prevent stalking.

Apple says "An AirTag that isn't with the person who registered it for an extended period of time will also play a sound when moved so you can find it, even if you don’t use an iOS device." https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212227

I have not tested this so I'm not sure if it has to be moving, but here Apple says it does.

I have an AirTag attached to the key fob of my vehicle. A few weeks ago I left the vehicle with fob and AirTag at the dealership for a week waiting for repair parts. Nobody there said anything to me about it beeping constantly for a week. They keep the keys in a lockbox behind the service advisor's desk, so I presume if it was beeping it would have been annoying someone for several days. Maybe they couldn't hear it, or maybe it wasn't beeping, or maybe it was beeping and no one cared. I don't know. But it seems like it should not beep constantly if it is sitting still for an extended period of time based on what Apple's website says.

 

[Maconplasma]

Apple says "An AirTag that isn't with the person who registered it for an extended period of time will also play a sound when moved so you can find it, even if you don’t use an iOS device." https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212227

I have not tested this so I'm not sure if it has to be moving, but here Apple says it does.

True but let’s be real here. That feature is for anti-stalking/anti theft because if you’re separated from your Airtag then you can’t find it if it’s moved. Only the person who picks up your stuff will hear the beeping.

 

[onenorth]

True but let’s be real here. That feature is for anti-stalking/anti theft because if you’re separated from your Airtag then you can’t find it if it’s moved. Only the person who picks up your stuff will hear the beeping.

So the AirTag should not beep if it is not moved. The OP said the tag was not moved but beeping nonetheless.

 

[Maconplasma]

So the AirTag should not beep if it is not moved. The OP said the tag was not moved but beeping nonetheless.

Like I mentioned earlier that made sense for it to beep without motion. Say for example you go to work but left your daily carrying bag at home that you keep an Airtag attached to. You don’t realize you left it. Your iPhone doesn’t alert you about the separation. I’ve already tested this. It’s only when someone else with an iPhone comes in proximity with that Airtag that you get alerted. So if someone is home they will hear your Airtag beep and notice you left your bag at home. They can call you. A different example, if you leave your bag at home and others in your household don’t have an iPhone (Android) then the only way for anyone to know you left your bag at home is for the Airtag to beep.

I guess when it comes to the Airtag it’s trial and experience.

 

[fischersd]

Like I mentioned earlier that made sense for it to beep without motion. Say for example you go to work but left your daily carrying bag at home that you keep an Airtag attached to. You don’t realize you left it. Your iPhone doesn’t alert you about the separation. I’ve already tested this. It’s only when someone else with an iPhone comes in proximity with that Airtag that you get alerted. So if someone is home they will hear your Airtag beep and notice you left your bag at home. They can call you. A different example, if you leave your bag at home and others in your household don’t have an iPhone (Android) then the only way for anyone to know you left your bag at home is for the Airtag to beep.

I guess when it comes to the Airtag it’s trial and experience.

In that circumstance you actually should have been notified that you left the bag behind (unless you've disabled that notification)

(my watch normally notifies me just as I leave the lobby if I've left my iPhone behind)

 

[onenorth]

Like I mentioned earlier that made sense for it to beep without motion. Say for example you go to work but left your daily carrying bag at home that you keep an Airtag attached to. You don’t realize you left it. Your iPhone doesn’t alert you about the separation. I’ve already tested this. It’s only when someone else with an iPhone comes in proximity with that Airtag that you get alerted. So if someone is home they will hear your Airtag beep and notice you left your bag at home. They can call you. A different example, if you leave your bag at home and others in your household don’t have an iPhone (Android) then the only way for anyone to know you left your bag at home is for the Airtag to beep.

I guess when it comes to the Airtag it’s trial and experience.

That doesn't make any sense to me. If I leave an AirTag at home it is not necessarily by accident and I will find it when I return home. The AirTag may be attached to things I don't always take with me, such as a backpack that I use for day trips on weekends. I would not want it to beep every weekday while I was away at work, that would drive others in the household crazy. In any event, Apple says the tag has to move before it starts beeping. Which is why the OP's post got my attention. I guess that will have to test it out for myself.

 

[kaardowiq]

I just imagine what‘ll happen when I‘m on vacation… multiple tags will beep and annoy all my neighbors?