Ask Kurt: How does an Apple AirTag work and how far can you track?

Apple AirTags have become a popular tool for keeping track of personal belongings, but their functionality and limitations can sometimes be misunderstood. Today, we’re addressing an insightful question from Duncan in Keller, TX, about the tracking capabilities of AirTags, especially when used with pets and vehicles. Duncan writes:

Hi Kurt, I put an AirTag on my cat. Your article about tracking stolen cars using AirTags suggests you can track a stolen car the same way you can a person you share locations with. I have not found this to be the case. The app will only find the tag if you are within Bluetooth range. I wish this weren’t the case. Am I missing something?

This excellent question highlights some common misconceptions about AirTags. Let’s dive into how AirTags work and explore their tracking capabilities and limitations.

 

How an AirTag works

The AirTag operates through Apple’s Find My network, which utilizes the hundreds of millions of other Apple devices around the globe to provide near-perfect tracking of your stuff. The way it works is that whenever an AirTag comes close to an Apple device like an iPhone that’s connected to the Find My network, that device transmits the location information back to the company’s servers, which in turn send that location information data back to the Airtag’s owner.

However, if you lose your AirTag in a remote area with no other Apple devices nearby, you will not be able to track it. AirTags can be tracked using Apple’s Find My network, but the location may be less precise if the AirTag is outside Bluetooth range.

Also, for the best experience, you’ll need a device with a U1 Ultra Wideband chip, which can more accurately determine the distance and direction of signals coming from the AirTag. These devices include the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max, as well as the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

So, while the AirTag can be useful for tracking items within its limitations, it might not always work as expected in all situations.

IS YOUR AIRTAG ABOUT TO DIE?

 

Turning on Bluetooth is a crucial step when setting up AirTags.

Setting Up AirTags

1. Turn on Bluetooth:
   • Go to Settings on your iPhone.
   • Tap Bluetooth and make sure it’s turned on.
2. Enable Find My:
   • Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My.
   • Make sure Find My iPhone is turned on.
3. Set Up Your AirTag:
   • Hold the AirTag near your iPhone.
   • A setup animation will appear on your iPhone. Tap Connect.
   • Choose a name for your AirTag or select a name from the list.
   • Tap Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
4. Attach Your AirTag:
   • Attach your AirTag to the item you want to track, such as your keys, bag, or wallet.

Using AirTags

• Locate Your Items:
  • Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the Items tab to see your AirTag on the map.
  • You can play a sound on the AirTag to help locate it if it’s nearby.
• Enable Lost Mode:
  • If you lose an item with an AirTag attached, you can enable Lost Mode in the Find My app.
  • This will notify you when the AirTag is detected by another device in the Find My network.

 

Learn how to know if your AirTag battery needs to be replaced, how to do it, and which kind of batteries you should buy for it. 

 

Tracking a pet with an AirTag

The primary issue with using an AirTag as a pet tracker is that the precision finder can sometimes be a bit finicky.  If you’ve used your AirTag to track a pet or even a lost pair of iPods, you’ve probably at some point seen the dreaded “Signal is weak, try moving to a different location” message. I’ve encountered this message even when I’m in line of sight with the AirTag in question, but the Find My app consistently refreshes, and I’ve never been led too far astray.

If you let your pet go outdoors or take it for hikes, and it slips out of its harness or collar, an AirTag might not be the best option for reuniting with your furry friend. This is because AirTags rely on nearby devices, such as iPhones, to relay their location to the Find My network. In rural or remote areas, there may not be enough devices around to help locate your pet. AirTags themselves do not form a mesh network or relay the location of other tags.

If you are in a busy area, you should be able to track your pet more easily. One of the best parts of using a tracker like an Apple AirTag is that you can turn on lost mode, and if someone else were to scan the AirTag, you can set up a message about contacting you. What a relief, right?

Get an Apple AirTag here

 

HOW YOUR AIRTAG CAN BE SHARED WITH UP TO 5 OTHER PEOPLE

 

Alternative trackers to the AirTag

If you’re on the hunt for a great tracker to keep track of your pets, I would recommend looking into something like the Tractive GPS for Dogs. While it’s called Tractive GPS for Dogs, it will also work with a cat. It’s a GPS tracker that attaches to your pet’s collar and provides up to real-time tracking with no distance limit. It’s designed specifically for tracking pets, so you will see better results with the Tractive GPS than you will with an Apple Airtag.

 

Apple AirTag

At $29 for a single AirTag, Apple’s tracker takes advantage of a network of a billion devices.

• Single AirTag: Small, coin-shaped tracking device made from plastic and stainless steel to work seamlessly with an iPhone to help you keep track of your personal belongings using the Find My app.
• Four-pack of AirTags: A four-pack of AirTags is a bundle of four small, coin-shaped tracking devices.

 

HEARTLESS SCAMMERS ARE PREYING ON PEOPLE’S LOST PET ANGUISH

 

Kurt’s key takeaways

While an Apple AirTag is a great way to find your lost iPhone or iPods, it’s not the best tracking solution for pets due to the range of the Find My network and Bluetooth LE. However, if you want to track a pet, it’s worth looking into the other tracking options available, especially those GPS trackers that are designed specifically for pets. When it comes to AirTags, it’s best to use them for what they are built for – finding lost Apple devices.

How have you used AirTags or similar tracking devices, and what challenges or successes have you experienced? Let me know in the comments below. 

 

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.