The new AirTag tracking tiles that Apple unveiled comes as the iPhone maker is showing a growing interest in helping you track items outside of its Apple devices. Apple began this month allowing its Find My app to locate lost items made by third-party companies.
Now that the Apple tracking tag has arrived, here’s everything you need to know about the AirTag, including how it works, accessories and how to buy AirTags.
What’s an AirTag?
The AirTag works similarly to the Tile tag in that you can clip one of the small devices onto keys, a bag or whatever using a separate keychain. The tag can be used without the keychain as well and slipped into a wallet or bag. The AirTag can be paired with items like your iPhone, and it works with the Find My app.
The AirTag is a small, lightweight, stainless steel disc with the Apple logo on one side. You can personalize the other side with a free engraving. Each round AirTag is IP67 water- and dust-resistant, with a removable cover designed to make it easy to change the CR2032 battery, which promises a year’s worth of battery life with everyday use.
How does the AirTag work?
AirTag features the same setup experience as AirPods — just bring AirTag close to your iPhone and it will connect. Users can assign AirTag to an item and name it with a default like “Keys” or “Jacket,” or provide a custom name of their choosing.
After you set up the AirTag (here’s how), a process Apple says works the same as pairing AirPods, it’ll appear in the new items tab of the Find My app. You can name your items as well, with suggestions from the app or names of your own.
From there, you can see the item’s last known location if you’ve attached an AirTag to it. If the item is within Bluetooth range, you can use the Find My app to signal the AirTag’s built-in speaker to play a sound. AirTags also have Siri-support, so your iOS assistant can help you locate the lost item.
The tags and the Find My app take advantage of Apple’s U1 chip with Ultra Wideband technology to use Precision Finding, a feature that relies on camera input, ARKit, accelerometer and gyroscope to guide you to your AirTag using sound and haptic and visual feedback. With the Find My app, you’ll get helpful notes like how many feet away your AirTag is and in what direction.
AirTag includes support for the accessibility features built into iOS. Precision Finding using VoiceOver, for example, can direct users who are blind or low-vision to AirTag with directions like “AirTag is 9 feet away on your left.”
If you’re out of Bluetooth range, you can put your AirTag into Lost mode and get a notification when it’s within range of the Find My network. If someone else finds your AirTag, she or he can use an iPhone or NFC-capable device to view your contact number, if you’ve listed it.
Do AirTags keep my information private?
During its AirTag announcement, Apple touched on privacy. The company said people can participate in the Find My network without having to share their location with anyone, including Apple.
AirTags don’t store any location data or history, and communication history through the Find My app is end-to-end encrypted, according to Apple.
What can I get engraved on my AirTag?
Apple will engrave one side of your AirTag for free after you purchase. When you reach the order screen, you can use the letters of the alphabet, numbers (zero through 50), and any of 31 different emojis. Because the tag is small, you can choose up to four characters to engrave on the back. As you choose your emojis, letters and numbers, you’ll see a preview of what the tag will look like engraved.
What do I need to use AirTags?
AirTags will need a device running iOS 14.5 or later. Users will also need an Apple ID to sign in to their iCloud account. Here are the compatible devices:
- iPhone SE, 6S or later.
- iPod Touch 7th generation or later.
- iPad Pro, 5th generation or later.
- iPad Air 2 or later.
- iPad Mini 4.
How much do AirTags cost and when can I get one?
Preorders for AirTags opened up on April 23. General sale of the tags begins on April 30 and costs $29 per tag, or $99 for a four pack ($39 or $129 in Canada) from apple.com/ca, in the Apple Store app, at Apple Store locations, and through Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary). And though it’s not required, you can more easily attach AirTags to your items with the keychain accessory.
What accessories are available for AirTags?
AirTags don’t attach to anything straight out of the box, so you’ll need to find a way to attach the devices on your items. Several third-party manufacturers like Belkin, ESR, Nomad and Hermes are selling accessories such as keychains, eyeglasses straps and hard shell mounts that will hold your AirTag.
