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Range of Airtags
- Thread starter bmodi
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It works even if you are far from the airtag but don’t set it in lost mode
I got my key AirTags set up and did a quick test. The Bluetooth range appears to be very weak. I had to be very close to the keys in order for Find My (Enhanced) to see my keys.
Bluetooth and UWB are very different.. UWB is high bandwidth coms over relatively short distant. when you ask the tag to make a sound this is happening over BT. When you use precise positioNing this is UWB.
Disappointing in what context? The things are powered by a CR2032 battery that is rated for a full year.
The AirPods have way higher capacity batteries and they only last for a few hours, and they don't retain charge even while not being used for more than a few weeks at most (rechargable LiPoly vs coin cell).
For what they are, they're actually pretty impressive. Yes, your WiFi router and even iPhone Cellular radio also have much longer range, but if they made range that wasn't "disappointing" (or comparable to AirPods which use entirely different RF tech) then they'd be disappointing in battery life or form factor.
I think they nailed the application here, because range is less important when you have such a dense network of iPhones users, hell, even in my house there are usually three iPhones and three iPads in any given part of the house at any given time, you don't need tons of range when every iOS or iPadOS device running 14.5 or better is part of the network...
The AirPods have way higher capacity batteries and they only last for a few hours, and they don't retain charge even while not being used for more than a few weeks at most (rechargable LiPoly vs coin cell).
For what they are, they're actually pretty impressive. Yes, your WiFi router and even iPhone Cellular radio also have much longer range, but if they made range that wasn't "disappointing" (or comparable to AirPods which use entirely different RF tech) then they'd be disappointing in battery life or form factor.
I think they nailed the application here, because range is less important when you have such a dense network of iPhones users, hell, even in my house there are usually three iPhones and three iPads in any given part of the house at any given time, you don't need tons of range when every iOS or iPadOS device running 14.5 or better is part of the network...
That is not BT, that is Ultra Wide Band, and, yes, signal prop on those bands are horrible through any thing but air. Especially when powered by a CR2032 coin cell rated to last a year.
The range is disappointing. Outside 7-10m.
Inside I need to be in the same room to get my iphone to find the Airtag.
also find my network….tried to use it….my wife walked away with the Airtag……after 25min the first actualization….but lots of people, so iPhones should have been around….
No chance to use them to find people. Range much too small. These are my first impressions…..I am a bit disappointed
Not sure what you expected.
Just so we’re clear, with initial impressions I’m claiming that the tags have pretty weak Bluetooth distance pinging especially if I leave my keys upstairs. From the same location of leaving my keys with my tile attached to the key ring it pings and plays a sound louder and longer from a further distance. I wish there was a way for it to continually ring instead of stop ringing after just a few chime cycles. Even though I’m sure it helps a tad bit with battery life long term, but I’d like the option. I’ll just keep using them like normal and see if I want to keep them or not. They’re very nice when they work though
I would like them to have a BT signal strength, like the tile. This would tell you if you were within 100 feet or so, This would be a lot better than just using UWB from a few feet. The only option you have if outside of UWB and within BT is to turn on the sound.. Its OK, but if noisy you wouldn't hear it. Im sure its just a software update if they ever see it as useful.
For some reason I'm not getting alerts for any quotes of my previous post in this thread (weird). But after watching some reviews of these on YouTube, it appears they are working exactly as intended. The precision/directional tracking only works within 30 feet or so and otherwise you get a general location through the Find My network and then once you get close enough you get the precision directions. Not sure what the complaint is, really. Unless you live in the Biltmore House or something, it shouldn't be a big deal to walk through your house until you're within range for precision tracking. And one reviewer indicated that the pinging sound can be activated from over 30 feet away.
They will, provided they are on the proper iOS version, are near the lost item, and the stranger's iPhone has not opted out of being a part of the mesh system.
Open air UWB test, you can pick up the tag at around 25 meters, and track to its location. Once UWB has a connection it will hold it out to 35 meters, but at this range the bearing to the tag can be off by 30 degrees or so, but it gets more accurate as you move closer, and at 25 meters you are basically pointing at the tag accurately again.
this is open air, obviously having obstructions, walls etc will reduce range.
this is open air, obviously having obstructions, walls etc will reduce range.
Today I put an Airtag in my husbands pocket ( He knew was testing ). He went out to get a baguette. Airtag on Lost mode.
He went to the boulangerie and believe me , they are packed in Paris on May 1st ! He had to wait at least 10 mn to get in. There was probably many iPhones close to him .
I didn't get any notifications at all .
Am I missing something ?
He went to the boulangerie and believe me , they are packed in Paris on May 1st ! He had to wait at least 10 mn to get in. There was probably many iPhones close to him .
I didn't get any notifications at all .
Am I missing something ?
Makes sense based on my testing as well with both types of tags. Huge reason I wanted to “upgrade“ fron the tiles to the atags is the find my network ecosystem, but I’m surprised That local Bluetooth pinging isn’t about the same if not better than tiles tags. Ohh well, guess Ill have to run around the House a bit more and spam the ping button lol.
Side note, some of these reviewers/journalist live in apartments/flats even some in less than 1000sqft especially if theyre in NYC lol, so you might not have the same local pinging experience if you live in a larger space. If you live in a multi floor or have a wide floor plan home, it can be a little finicky with local Bluetooth pinging especially if youre coming from a tile(s).
More range when I am “close”. I do not talk absolut finding the general position using Find My Network. But when I get close…..I need to around 5-7 meters close (outside) in order to get even the Bluetooth signal. To get the UWB I need to be below 5m.
Inside it is even worse. I need to be in the same room to get UWB an even to get Bluetooth I need to be very close to the room. What I mean is I need to go to every room….just like without the Airtags. Once you get UWB it works impressive. However to get there is the problem if you really are searching something.
I concur with you on the experience. Some people just keep saying the 'ideal' condition - completely outdoor, open air, direct line of sight, AirTag totally exposed without putting into anything, no walls, no metals, no whatsoever, oh and it connects up to 100M. Of course, that's the theoretical range of Bluetooth signal. But just take it outside the lab and into the real world. I'm very disappointed since I really had some expectations that it will work in the real world, like in a parking lot - even my car key has much longer range (also powered by a CR2032).
UWB definitely doesn’t like solid brick internal walls! Have to be in the same room as AirTag to get precise location to work. Next room (within 10 feet, but solid wall) “weak signal” warning.
As others have pointed out, this is to be expected given the frequency of UWB and low power consumption of AirTags. It does however mean they’re not going to be as useful for finding items as I had hoped.
As others have pointed out, this is to be expected given the frequency of UWB and low power consumption of AirTags. It does however mean they’re not going to be as useful for finding items as I had hoped.
It's "expected" after we understand the complete technical bits of how the AirTags work. However, it is not "expected" if we put our common sense here: How should this product work?
One doesn't need to know about the technical bits to operate an iPhone (and lower their expectations after learning those technical specifications).
Yeah, I have to agree with you here. Reminds me of the OG AppleWatch not being waterproof. The technology didn't quite match reasonable use expectations. Rapidly sorted with subsequent models of course.
Lot of misconceptions of what this should and shouldn't do.
If you've owned a Tile before, this is the closest to reality, with Tile having a raw range advantage. Like the Tile, your phone has to pick up the Bluetooth signal to find your lost item. The goal is to get you close enough that you can hopefully retrace your steps and find your item, with an audio trigger as an aid.
Unlike the Tile, the addition of UWB gives you added ability to pinpoint locate where your stuff is at. The weak signal warnings are an indication that you're close to a tag, just not close enough to pinpoint. Tile is "louder" to broadcast its signal further. AirTag requires you to be closer, but once you pick up the signal, you've got a lot more to work with.
Like Tile, this is not a real-time location tracker. They can't be. These are simple devices, and they're passive. When they're lost, their job is to keep the battery going for as long as possible, and the battery really isn't that big. Sending your tag on a mission is going to disappoint if you've never used something like a Tile before. The time between map refreshes are fairly long (seems like 15 min), and it of course requires the charity of an iOS 14.5 device.
These are designed less for stolen items, and more for lost/misplaced items. The Find My map is to remind you of places you've been, after which it should get you within the vicinity where you can do a focused search. It's for "oh, I was in that store last week... I must have dropped my keys, let me retrace my steps".
While it will work for items that have been stolen, it will not be super precise... it can give you an approximate "last seen", but if it's on-the-move, that's going to be a tough trail to follow.
If you've owned a Tile before, this is the closest to reality, with Tile having a raw range advantage. Like the Tile, your phone has to pick up the Bluetooth signal to find your lost item. The goal is to get you close enough that you can hopefully retrace your steps and find your item, with an audio trigger as an aid.
Unlike the Tile, the addition of UWB gives you added ability to pinpoint locate where your stuff is at. The weak signal warnings are an indication that you're close to a tag, just not close enough to pinpoint. Tile is "louder" to broadcast its signal further. AirTag requires you to be closer, but once you pick up the signal, you've got a lot more to work with.
Like Tile, this is not a real-time location tracker. They can't be. These are simple devices, and they're passive. When they're lost, their job is to keep the battery going for as long as possible, and the battery really isn't that big. Sending your tag on a mission is going to disappoint if you've never used something like a Tile before. The time between map refreshes are fairly long (seems like 15 min), and it of course requires the charity of an iOS 14.5 device.
These are designed less for stolen items, and more for lost/misplaced items. The Find My map is to remind you of places you've been, after which it should get you within the vicinity where you can do a focused search. It's for "oh, I was in that store last week... I must have dropped my keys, let me retrace my steps".
While it will work for items that have been stolen, it will not be super precise... it can give you an approximate "last seen", but if it's on-the-move, that's going to be a tough trail to follow.
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