How Do AirTags Work? A Simple Guide to Setting Up

I lost my keys several times, I do not want to admit it. One day I am already late to work, and it took me 20 minutes to find my apartment being torn to pieces. It is what made me eventually give in and purchase an AirTag. Best decision I made all year.

In case you are questioning how these small trackers can work and whether they are valuable or not, I would like to take you through the things I have learnt.

What Exactly Is an AirTag?

An AirTag is fundamentally a small coin-shaped device that comes in handy in locating your items. It is roughly the size of an iPhone bottle cap and can be used with your phone using an application known as Find My.

The good news in this is that AirTags have no GPS or a data plan. They instead connect using Bluetooth to devices available nearby which are of Apple. That is why in case your tagged object approaches any iPhone, iPad, or Mac (even non-owned by you), the device picks the signal and transmits you the position. It is as though you have got millions of people smacking on your back to look for you without their knowing.

I hooked mine first to my keys, and got a couple more to my backpack and camera bag. Since then no panic search.

How to Set Up Your AirTag

Installation of an AirTag is beyond ridiculous. I am conversing more than I am connecting Air Pods.

Here’s what I did:

1. Peel the tag on the battery– Your AirTag has a plastic tab over the battery. Pull it and beep beep a beep.
2. Get it to your iPhone – Hold AirTag to your telephone (make sure you have your Bluetooth on). One of those set up animations appears automatically, as does when you pair AirPods.
3. Name it Choose the type of item you are tracking on the list (Keys, Backpack, Wallet, etc.) or made up your own name. I chose this one, Work Keys, since I have keys to my home, too.
4. Add it to your Apple account – The AirTag connects to your profile. This is important as you are the only visitor of the location.
5. Attach it to your item It does not come with a holder, and therefore you have to purchase a keychain loop or holder. Quite irritating, yet online, there are plenty of insincere cheap ones.

And it took me perhaps two minutes. After it is paired, the AirTag appears in your Find My app in the Items tab.

How to Find Your Stuff with an AirTag

This is where it gets fun. I did a test on it by dropping my keys on various areas around my apartment (accidentally).

Using the Find My App

Launch the Find My application on your iPhone and press the Items button. There you will find all your AirTags.

Tapping on one that you are seeking gives you the location of the object on a map. When it is close you can hit Play Sound (say somewhere in your house). The AirTag also contains a beeping sound that is audible to both couch cushions and inside a bag.

When I dropped my keys in a coffee shop, the map was able to identify the specific cafe to me. I turned back, and this was true, as they were seated on the counter.

Accuracy (Finding a Newer iPhone)

When you have an iPhone 11 or more, you have this feature of Precision Finding. It makes use of a technology known as Ultra-Wideband in order to display to you a specific direction and proximity to your AirTag.

Your phone would change to this AR-type display with arrows and distance calculators when you are near enough (usually less than 30 feet away). It literally takes you by the step by step, as treasure hunt does. The first occasion on which I used it to locate my keys under a stack of laundry, I believed like a technology genius.

Lost Mode

In case you misplace your item when it is too far, that is, when you are outside the range of the network, you can place the AirTag in the Lost Mode. Here’s what happens:

• You tend to include a message, containing your phone number or email.
• In case someone has located your item, he can use any phone (including Android) to tap the AirTag.
• Your message and contact details appear as a pop-up site.
• When somebody scans it, you will be notified about it.

This is not something I have needed to apply so far, but it is always nice to have the possibility. I installed it once to check the way it is done, and it is not very complicated.

What I Wish I Knew Before Purchasing.

Battery life – The battery life is good and can last up to one year, then iPhone notifies you as soon as it is low. All you need to do is to take off the back and change the CR2032 battery (the same type as many small electronics).

They do not perform well outdoors in the city – AirTags are powered by other Apple products to broadcast their position, hence, they perform wonders in high-traffic locations but unreliable in remote or isolated places. My friend resides in the rural area and his updates are even less frequent compared to what I do in the city.

Not to keep track of persons or pets Apple claims that it is only to keep track of things. Technically, one can be attached to a dog collar but it is of no design. It does not have real-time tracking and therefore, in case of your dog running away, it would be best to go with a GPS pet tracker.

Of course, there are privacy settings, which include confidentiality – in case an unknown AirTag is following you (as, say, someone is trying to track you), an iPhone will notify you. The AirTag also begins to beep when it has not been in the company of its owner so long. This has been collaborated by Apple and Google hence even the Android phones are able to detect unwanted trackers.

My Take After Using Them

I am not going to state that AirTags have transformed my life, but they saved me time and stress. It is worth the peace of mind, more so during traveling. One of them went into my checked bag last month on a trip, and when the airline told me my bag was still in transit, I could see it right in a totally different city. I was at least aware on where it was.

They make a good investment especially to those who already have an iPhone because their cost is approximately 29. Installation is pain free, the Find My application is easy, and Precision Finding literally looks like the future.

Lose stuff easy or simply need that extra measure of security to your equipment, get one. Only please do not forget to arrange a holder of this.

FAQs

How far away can I track an AirTag?

There’s no hard limit. The AirTag is capable of a location update as long as it is close to an Apple device (even an iPhone of a stranger). I have followed mine all over my town. However, in distant locations where there are fewer iPhones, updates may slow down or cease to do so.

To be connected directly, using Bluetooth, you can go between 30 feet indoors and 100+ feet outdoors, where the line of sight is clear.

Can Android users help me find my AirTag or detect unwanted ones?

Android phones are unable to track AirTags in last way as iPhone can do, but they can realize when an unknown AirTag is traversing (safety).

When a person locates your lost item with attached AirTag, he /she can tap it with any NFC-enabled Android phone and see your mt communication on a webpage where it displays your Lost Mode message and contact details. Yes, Android is of use, but not in keeping a close eye on your own items.

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