Disappointed with Airtag performance… Is this normal?

[Guitarmaster]

I recorded a video.

The AirTag wouldn’t connect when I was within 20 feet of it with walls in between. Also it wouldnt tell me how far or near I was until I was within 11 feet of it and no directional instructions until I was within like 8 feet from it.

If this is normal performance I am very disappointed.

PS I am wearing reindeer ears, so that is what you see in the reflection.

 

[haruhiko]

The range for both the Bluetooth signal and UWB signal is VERY short which means that it’s only best for finding stuff in the same room. In a different room, the signal would be largely blocked by walls.

 

[Jigga]

Mine don't work within inches of my iPhone.

 

[Marli]

Best BT i get is around 50 meters, sand around 25 meters for UWB. Walls etc will attenuate both signals.

 

[cableguy84]

Performance through walls in my house is poor. Was expecting more to be fair but only cost 30 so no big deal

 

[darthbane2k]

I think AirTag works as intended but the entire build-up to this product including the rumour mill allowed peoples imaginations to run wild with all manner of unreasonable expectations.

 

[drober30]

I think AirTag works as intended but the entire build-up to this product including the rumour mill allowed peoples imaginations to run wild with all manner of unreasonable expectations.

Apple is known for releasing products and features that blow away the competition and the UWB is a feature like that; however, its performance in real world settings is not Apple like.

I also think Apple should have included a feature that allows you to set a notification that alerts you if you leave your house without a specific AirTag (Purse, Wallet) Tile has this feature although I was always alerted late/to far from home and it was not worth turning around for my sunglasses but it was for my wallet.

I also think the sound volume is inferior to Tile and the fact they did not release a slim one that fits into a wallet was disappointing.

 

[Guitarmaster]

Ok. So it seems I am getting typical performance from these. That’s a very unsatisfactory performance for me but maybe my expectations were too high.

 

[haruhiko]

Just watched zollotech’s video and even in a forest the range is still only about 50ft (15 meters), just 5 meters more than the range I had in the parking lot.

 

[haruhiko]

Ok. So it seems I am getting typical performance from these. That’s a very unsatisfactory performance for me but maybe my expectations were too high.

It’s normal to have expectations on an Apple product.

 

[dirtylilhobo]

I have yet to receive my airtags. I have very low confidence in these devices based on similar tags I’ve tried in the past. Hopefully, Apple has improved design of these things and perhaps they’re better than nothing.

 

[Celf]

Like Haruhiko, range for BT and UWB is short...very short. Frustratingly short. The Airtag was on my desk in front of me. at 1.4 meter UWB kicked in.