Thanks to the Apple AirTag we avoid having to play hide-and-seek with keys, wallets and other small objects that sometimes seem impossible to find. A great advantage to quickly locate any item and have the guarantee that we can always know where they are, wherever they are.
That’s what an AirTag allows us to do. Thanks to its connection to the Apple Search network, it can help us find it, and the object that goes with it, with great precision. Whether we are talking about the keys behind a cushion on the couch or a suitcase miles away, everything is within reach of our iPhone.
What are Apple AirTags
An AirTag is a small tracking device designed by Apple that allows us to locate and track lost objects. AirTags can be attached to keys, wallets, backpacks, luggage and other similar objects, and then these can be located through the Find application on our iPhone, iPad or Mac.
AirTags use Bluetooth Low Energy technology to communicate with nearby Apple devices. Thanks to this we can see the location of any object on a map and even receive alerts when they are nearby to avoid forgetting them. Apple has designed them to be rugged and durable, with the ability to withstand water and dust, making them an excellent choice for almost any everyday situation.
How often to charge the AirTag
The AirTag has a replaceable battery that lasts approximately one year. When it runs out, replacing it is easy and simple, just remove the protective cap by turning it while pressing on it and replace the standard button cell battery with a new one.
How AirTag localization works
In three different ways. When we are about 10 meters away from our AirTag – depending on the obstacles in between – our iPhone uses the UWB chip to locate the AirTag with an accuracy of a few centimeters. This allows us to see precise indications of the direction and distance we are at in order to find the AirTag inside a particular drawer or behind a cushion.
Outside those 10 meters and as long as our AirTags are within the bluetooth range of our devices, this is how they communicate and locate each other. This is where we can configure the warning that we left an AirTag forgotten, which will allow us to recover it quickly.
Out of Bluetooth range, AirTags communicate with other Apple devices nearby. Fully encrypted and with total guarantee for the privacy of all participants, the AirTag relies on other devices to send their location in the cloud. A location that only we can consult to see its position on a map.
At what distance limit can we locate an AirTag?
As we have just explained, AirTags have three location systems. So, in terms of limits, we can talk about three different ones. The limit for the high precision location, that of the U1 chip, we are talking about 10 meters, maximum. Many times, depending on the environment, we will talk about six, but the accuracy within that radius, the radius of a room approximately, will be a few centimeters.
If we talk about the bluetooth location radius, the range, in general, is about 100 meters. In some circumstances it can reach 200 meters, but obstacles quickly shorten that distance.
Finally, when it comes to being able to locate an object, AirTags are limitless. Thanks to the fact that they communicate with Apple devices passing by or in their vicinity, we can locate an AirTag almost anywhere in the world.
How to configure our AirTags to warn us if we leave anything behind
Easy, it is thanks to the Search app that we can set a warning for those devices that we may inadvertently leave behind. Thanks to this warning we won’t even have to try to locate the object itself, just go back for it. The steps to set up the alerts are as follows:
- Open the Search app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Go to the Devices or Objects tab.
- In the Notifications section, click on Notify me when I don’t have it with me.
- We activate Notify me when I don’t have it with me.
- Press OK.
Note that we can configure exception zones. Those areas where we do not want to be notified if one of the devices is left in them. We can talk about our own home or office, for example.
How to use an Apple AirTag on our iPhone
The first thing we need to do to start using an AirTag on our iPhone is to pair it. Making sure that our iPhone is up to date and that the Find app is installed, all we have to do is follow these steps:
- We remove the plastic from the AirTag, which causes the battery to make contact and the device to turn on.
- We bring our AirTag close to the iPhone.
- Tap Connect on the iPhone screen.
- Choose a name or select Custom Name.
- We choose an emoji to identify the AirTag.
- We confirm that the AirTag will be linked to our Apple ID.
- We touch OK.
After pairing the AirTag with the iPhone, the Find app will allow you to track the location of the object and set up location notifications to alert you when it is out of range. In addition, the app can be used to play a sound on the AirTag to find it easily. As a reminder, to use the AirTag with an iPhone, it is necessary to have an iPhone 6s or later and to have Bluetooth enabled.
How to use an Apple AirTag on Android
We can only use an AirTag on an Apple device. There is one function, however, that is designed for Android devices and there is even a dedicated app for it: locating devices that should not be there.
Although remote, there is a possibility that someone could place an AirTag on an object to track another person. Apple devices automatically warn of this, and on Android devices simply download the free Tracker Detector app, designed by Apple, which works by detecting nearby Bluetooth signals.
If the application detects a Bluetooth signal that is not associated with a known device, it could be a sign that there is an AirTag hidden in some object. A resource to ensure that no one is abusing the technology to locate another person without permission.
Do I need a key fob for the AirTag?
It depends. We can place an AirTag directly on any item that can accommodate it. A suitcase, a backpack pocket, a wallet compartment are just a few examples. But what about something like a keychain?
To “hang” the AirTag on something, we need a small keychain case that allows us to attach the AirTag to an object. An accessory that not only protects the AirTag itself, but also allows us, with a keychain attachment or simply a small strap, to attach it wherever it is most convenient for us.
In general, it is always advisable for the AirTag to be less exposed to the environment. On the one hand, it does not need to be in plain sight to be located, on the other hand, it is better protected from shocks. That said, it is true that sometimes it will only be through a keychain type accessory that we can place our AirTag where we want.
An AirTag is the best way to locate any object. Far or near, on a map or being able to be guided to its most exact location, this little locator brings out the vast network of Apple devices to locate what we need when we need it.
