Has anyone been able to successfully AirTag their car?

[niederrader]

I live in an apartment building which has an underground garage, I have the AirTag in the car so I know that it is still parked there (I guess I have some kind of OCD ), since I do not use the car every day. The AirTag usually connects to someones iPhone every 3-4 hours so no need to go there to check anymore.

 

[polyphenol]

In a huge parking lot, it can be hard for some people to remember where they parked, especially if there are no lot or section labels. Using the AirTag option may be easier for them, than manually setting a parking location in Apple Maps.

I never set my parking location in Apple Maps. But my phone always knows where I parked.

Can't remember what options allow that.

Quite good because it knows regardless which of the two cars I regularly drive I am using. (Neither car has AirTags, nor CarPlay or whatever.)

 

[fischersd]

I never set my parking location in Apple Maps. But my phone always knows where I parked.

Can't remember what options allow that.

Quite good because it knows regardless which of the two cars I regularly drive I am using. (Neither car has AirTags, nor CarPlay or whatever.)

It's in Map settings - the option is called Show Parked Location (believe it's on by default). Having your phone connect to either the bluetooth in the car or CarPlay enables your phone to do this.

Me, I think having an AirTag in the car complements this. Also, if you're parking in an underground / covered parking garage GPS won't provide your location. iPhones cache where the AirTag was seen and report it later if they're out of coverage at the time. If in coverage, they'll use aGPS (cellular triangulation) to provide a location update.

Heh - which is more accurate has been a little hit and miss.

 

[polyphenol]

Also, if you're parking in an underground / covered parking garage GPS won't provide your location.

I was going to reply that I have not even seen underground/covered/multi-storey parking for almost two years. Then I remember there is a tiny one I drive past regularly! But, in general, I am far more likely to park somewhere with no mobile coverage than anwhere that is physically covered.

 

[fischersd]

I was going to reply that I have not even seen underground/covered/multi-storey parking for almost two years. Then I remember there is a tiny one I drive past regularly! But, in general, I am far more likely to park somewhere with no mobile coverage than anwhere that is physically covered.

Yep - parking garages are more common in cities, where the cost / square foot justifies getting greater densities.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

When some else's device pings your AirTag, does it need to be unlocked for it to ping? Does an iPad ping the AirTag? Does an iPod (with Wi-Fi) ping the AirTag?

 

[fischersd]

When some else's device pings your AirTag, does it need to be unlocked for it to ping? Does an iPad ping the AirTag? Does an iPod (with Wi-Fi) ping the AirTag?

Unlocked? You should likely visit the product page so you have a better idea how they work.

AirTag

Attach AirTag to everyday items, like your keys or a backpack, to easily keep track of them in the Find My app.

www.apple.com

AirTags only have Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband and an NFC radio (people can tap them to get their owner's info when they're in lost mode). They do not have Wifi.
All iPads, iPhones and Macs can make note of an AirTags location - if they're not in coverage at the time, they'll cache the location and report it when they are in data coverage.

They're not a GPS tracker.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

They do not have Wifi.

Does an iPod (with Wi-Fi) ...

I was referring to the iPod being connected to Wi-Fi. The reason that I'm asking those questions is because I have an AirTag in a room in my house and that room has an iPod (connected to Wi-Fi) and an iMac and an iPad but when I leave the time and location never update on the AirTag. It continues to say "last seen" and the time that I left the house until I return then it updates. I was wondering why this AirTag never updates when all of those devices are in the room. It could be because they're all not unlocked?

 

[fischersd]

I was referring to the iPod being connected to Wi-Fi. The reason that I'm asking those questions is because I have an AirTag in a room in my house and that room has an iPod (connected to Wi-Fi) and an iMac and an iPad but when I leave the time and location never update on the AirTag. It continues to say "last seen" and the time that I left the house until I return then it updates. I was wondering why this AirTag never updates when all of those devices are in the room. It could be because they're all not unlocked?

Seen no mention anywhere of the iPods working with the Find My network.

In order to be compatible, your Apple devices need to be running recent versions of iOS, iPadOS and MacOS.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

In order to be compatible, your Apple devices need to be running recent versions of iOS, iPadOS and MacOS.

The iPod and iPad both are running iOS 14.7.1 but the Mac (2011) is probably too old. Regardless, I've also had someone with an iPhone 8 Plus iOS 14.7.1 go into the room while I was out of town and it still didn't update the location of the AirTag. That's why I'm asking if it needs to be unlocked. The situation is still the same, the AirTag isn't updating with any device until I get home with my iPhone 12 Pro Max and then it updates instantly when I come in the door.

 

[fischersd]

The iPod and iPad both are running iOS 14.7.1 but the Mac (2011) is probably too old. Regardless, I've also had someone with an iPhone 8 Plus iOS 14.7.1 go into the room while I was out of town and it still didn't update the location of the AirTag. That's why I'm asking if it needs to be unlocked. The situation is still the same, the AirTag isn't updating with any device until I get home with my iPhone 12 Pro Max and then it updates instantly when I come in the door.

Seriously, there's no way that anything needs to be "unlocked" to work. I guarantee you the people walking by my car aren't risking their health by having their nose in their phones walking to the elevator from their cars.

If people don't have bluetooth turned on, then it won't make contact with the AirTag.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

If people don't have bluetooth turned on, then it won't make contact with the AirTag.

These are all my devices and they all have Bluetooth enabled. Again, seriously, my iPhone 12 Pro Max is the only one of these devices that will "make contact" with the AirTag. Assumingly because it doesn't update the time or location from those devices when I leave the house with my phone.

 

[fischersd]

These are all my devices and they all have Bluetooth enabled. Again, seriously, my iPhone 12 Pro Max is the only one of these devices that will "make contact" with the AirTag. Assumingly because it doesn't update the time or location from those devices when I leave the house with my phone.

Hmm. If your iPhone 12 Pro Max is the only one that's making contact, I gotta wonder if there isn't something wrong with the Bluetooth radio in the AirTag. (the 12PM has the U1 chip - so it'll be making contact over ultra-wideband when you're close enough).

The other devices are on your same Apple ID? When you go into Find My on the iPad, does it not update the status to say "with you"? I'd likely pull the battery in the AirTag (effectively, giving it a reboot) - maybe cycling it will fix the problem. (btw - you should have started a new thread for this)

 

[Bushel of Apples]

Well, I didn't start a new thread because this is the AirTag that I bought to track my car, but I do see your reasoning (now) for this to become its own thread. This AirTag was bought from the Apple website and shipped from China, it took forever btw. We bought another one from Walmart locally and it's worked perfectly.

This problematic AirTag seems to work fine except for when I leave it at the house, that's when the time and date never update when I leave with my phone. My phone just stays on "last seen" and whatever time that I left and shows the location as my house. Also, once I get home, then it will update, even the find green arrow will bring me to it.

My friend bought a pack from Amazon and they've all worked too. This particular one from Apple/China is the only one that I've had problems with it. If I can't figure it out with GUI/software soon then I'll try the battery reset that you suggested to me.

No, the other devices are not my Apple ID, they're all my family members and all purchased by me. Some of them, the older devices, were mine with my Apple ID at once but now they're in their own Apple ID of the family member(s).

 

[fischersd]

Well, I didn't start a new thread because this is the AirTag that I bought to track my car, but I do see your reasoning (now) for this to become its own thread. This AirTag was bought from the Apple website and shipped from China, it took forever btw. We bought another one from Walmart locally and it's worked perfectly.

This problematic AirTag seems to work fine except for when I leave it at the house, that's when the time and date never update when I leave with my phone. My phone just stays on "last seen" and whatever time that I left and shows the location as my house. Also, once I get home, then it will update, even the find green arrow will bring me to it.

My friend bought a pack from Amazon and they've all worked too. This particular one from Apple/China is the only one that I've had problems with it. If I can't figure it out with GUI/software soon then I'll try the battery reset that you suggested to me.

No, the other devices are not my Apple ID, they're all my family members and all purchased by me. Some of them, the older devices, were mine with my Apple ID at once but now they're in their own Apple ID of the family member(s).

If rebooting the AirTag doesn't make it start to work, you could try un-pairing it and re-pairing (though, I do think it looks like a bluetooth problem). You may just have a dud. (bound to happen)

All of these come out of China - no idea how many lines / plants they're produced in.

If those two tests don't fix it, I'd contact Apple to get it swapped.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

I'm going to carry it around for a few days to see how it acts away from home and then after that try it in the house again to see if it'll update it's time/location or have that some problem. If not, then try your suggestions.

If a moderator wants to split my posts and replies into a thread, please do so.

 

[fischersd]

Adding to my info here: #107

Here's what the install looks like (behind the driver's side headlight on the frame member):

 

[Bushel of Apples]

That kind of tape isn't going to hold up to the elements, heat and rain. I worked in logistics for over 20 years and can tell you that for a fact.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

I'm going to carry it around for a few days to see how it acts away from home and then after that try it in the house again to see if it'll update it's time/location or have that some problem. If not, then try your suggestions.

If a moderator wants to split my posts and replies into a thread, please do so.

Well, it seems that the test shows that this particular AirTag updates everywhere except inside my house for some reason. I put it in a bag for the past week and it updated everywhere else. Oh well, it must be something about my house, probably the poor "5G E" signal (hence why I kept asking about Wi-Fi).

 

[Bushel of Apples]

Edit: Oh...and, just to be extra, extra safe - I'll put duct tape over the open end. . (can't have vibrations wiggling the airtag out of there).

You want to use tape that specifically for the outside, like what's used for graphics or stripes, preferably the 3M brand.

 

[fischersd]

That kind of tape isn't going to hold up to the elements, heat and rain. I worked in logistics for over 20 years and can tell you that for a fact.

Logistics - so, warehousing?

"You want to use tape that specifically for the outside, like what's used for graphics or stripes, preferably the 3M brand"

Because people in Logistics have a lot to do with graphics or stripes on cars?

Duct tape is actually pretty damn durable. The batteries are only good for a year - methinks the battery will give out before the tape does, being sheltered under the hood.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

My credentials are unimportant and if you think logistics is "warehousing" then please educate yourself. However, just go ask any USPS, FedEx or UPS clerk -or- leave the duct tape on there and find out the hard way. Duct tape is pretty damn durable but the glue is not.

 

[rojocrandall]

Bought a Gorilla Box to safely keep an airtag for my car. The unit is water tight and the magnets are super strong. It is placed up underneath the vehicle in a location hard to find.

 

[fischersd]

Bought a Gorilla Box to safely keep an airtag for my car. The unit is water tight and the magnets are super strong. It is placed up underneath the vehicle in a location hard to find.

Ouch! Costs more than the airtag! Hopefully someone on AliExpress provides the same thing sold out the back of the factory.

Edit: Not the same thing, but this would likely do.

Strong Magnetic Car Key Safe Box Portable Key Lock Holder Box Magnet Outdoor Stash For Home Office Car Truck Caravan Secret Box - AliExpress 13

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[Jony Five]

You want to use tape that specifically for the outside, like what's used for graphics or stripes, preferably the 3M brand.

This guy tapes.