Are AirTags actually good at recovering stolen items?

[robd003]

I'd like to use some kind of tracking system for $30k worth of photography equipment; however, it looks like Apple is really pushing this "anti-stalking" thing (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/02/an-update-on-airtag-and-unwanted-tracking/) which seems pretty counterintuitive to helping you find your stolen item.

Isn't the thief just going to remove the AirTag once it starts chirping?

Is there a way to tell your AirTag to **not** chirp? (Disable the speaker by snipping wires?) Has anyone built custom firmware for the AirTags?

Are there better systems than the AirTag? I heard about Cube, but I'm not exactly excited to pay $17/month for tracking when AirTags have no recurring cost other than batteries.

 

[Hunter5117]

The only way AFAIK is to physically modify the Airtag to disable the speaker. You can find a number of how-to videos on Youtube. This is the reason I returned my Airtags back when they first came out, I did not want to have to hack them to do what you are talking about.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

AirTags aren’t meant for theft prevention/recovery, full stop. They’re to help you find something you’ve misplaced.

Apple is (rightly or wrongly) concerned about them being used maliciously, such as for stalking, so they’ve intentionally introduced behaviors that make AirTags unsuitable for that purpose.

You’ll want to find a different product.

 

[Feek]

Are there better systems than the AirTag?

For tracking stolen equipment? Yes, I'm sure there are because that's not the intended use for an AirTag.

I'd like to use some kind of tracking system for $30k worth of photography equipment;

but I'm not exactly excited to pay $17/month for tracking

If you're genuinely concerned it's likely to be stolen then $17/month for peace of mind sounds quite reasonable to me.

 

[AiPone12mini]

Hello forums. I have placed airtags inside my more expensive powertools so it is little bit harder to "walk away" with those tools.

 

[robd003]

For tracking stolen equipment? Yes, I'm sure there are because that's not the intended use for an AirTag.



If you're genuinely concerned it's likely to be stolen then $17/month for peace of mind sounds quite reasonable to me.

I just find it absurd to pay more for tracking ($204/yr) than I pay for insurance ($150/yr).

 

[lostPod]

I just find it absurd to pay more for tracking ($204/yr) than I pay for insurance ($150/yr).

Does your insurance suggest a tracking method that will also lower their price?

 

[Feek]

I just find it absurd to pay more for tracking ($204/yr) than I pay for insurance ($150/yr).

Does your insurance include theft?