Apple AirTag, What is it and why do I need one?

In this week’s big apple announcement, in addition to the regular updates to their existing product lineup, Apple rolled out a new addition to the Apple family, the AirTag.  This is a totally new product used for tracking and locating whatever the AirTag is attached to, like your luggage or your key ring.  The AirTag is a small disc, 1.26 inches in diameter and .31 inches thick.  About the size of a couple silver dollars stacked on top of each other.  (Silver dollars are a larger US coin currency).  (Currency is what people use for money when they don’t have their debit card on them at a store that doesn’t use ApplePay).  (Stores are those big buildings that we used to go to before the Government shut down the world for the pandemic).  But I digress….

Tile Pro tracker

This is a very similar concept to the Tile product line that some people may be familiar with for keeping track of your valuables, but with some huge improvements.

The AirTag does what you would expect a tracker to do, it pairs with your phone via Bluetooth and allows your phone to track when the device is in range and record its location.  But there is a whole lot more to it than that.  The AirTag also has several built-in components that separate it from other offerings in this field.  First, it has a built-in chip that allows the tag to get its precise location inside or outside, not just the general area where your phone disconnected from it.  As long s your phone is in range, the tag can give its precise location.  Once you are away from the tag, it can give you its last known location.  The device is managed by Apple’s “Find My” app similar to the way you use the app to find your lost iPhone in the couch cushions.  The tag can even play a sound when in-range to help you find it.

All of that sounds great until you are out of Bluetooth range, then what?  Well this is the end of the line for most other trackers, because they can only give you the last known location, not necessarily their current location if they have moved since you were separated from them.  But this is where the AirTag stands out.  The AirTag has the ability to use, not only the “Find My” app, but also the “Find My” Network, which is built into every iPhone, iPad, iPod and Apple computer.  More on that later…

AirTag Range

The AirTag runs on Bluetooth wireless.  Bluetooth range is generally about 100 meters (in an open, unobstructed area) which is a pretty good size to be able to find your belongings and get precise locations from.

Battery life

The AirTag runs on a CR2032 battery and claims a battery life of 1 year under normal use.  Which means it isn’t something that you have to worry about charging.

Durability

The AirTag is IP67 rated, which means that it is water resistant up to 3 feet deep for up to 30 minutes.  So no need to worry about rain, spills or the occasional fall into a shallow pool or fountain (not that the latter would ever happen, but you never know).  That means that it can also stand up to dust and debris pretty well.

The Apple “Find My” app icon

AirTag Recovery

So you leave your briefcase in an Uber, but you have an AirTag in there too, now what?  You can put your Airtag in lost mode from the “Find My” app on your iPhone which activates the “Find My” Network.  The ‌Find My‌ Network takes advantage of hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to help you locate an AirTag, with the AirTag showing up on a map when it is located by someone else’s device.

In Lost Mode, an AirTag will automatically send out a notification when it’s detected by someone in the ‌Find My‌ network, and you can add your contact info so someone who finds your item can get in touch with you.

Privacy and Security

I know that sounds very big-brother, but Apple has some good security measures in place.

Each AirTag you own is linked to your Apple ID and no one else can track it. Location data and location history are not stored on the AirTag, and devices that relay the location of a lost AirTag stay anonymous and location data is encrypted every step of the way.

You may see where your lost AirTag is on a map if it’s picked up by someone else’s device, but you won’t know the identity of the person that helps find it. Apple also does not see where AirTags are located because of the end-to-end encryption.

AirTags have unique Bluetooth identifiers that rotate frequently, a feature that ensures you’re never tracked from place to place.

Unwanted Tracking Prevention

Apple has built in security restrictions that are designed to prevent an AirTag for being used for unwanted and secretive tracking purposes.  If an AirTag that someone else owns is in your belongings and has been traveling with for you awhile, your ‌iPhone‌ will send you an alert about an AirTag being detected near you, which will prevent someone from tracking you with a planted AirTag.  These alerts are only triggered when an AirTag is separated from its owner, so you don’t need to worry about friends or family members with AirTags.  An AirTag away from its owner for three days will play a sound each time it’s moved to alert you of its presence.

Customization

AirTags can be engraved with up to four letters or emoji characters, though there are some restrictions on multiple emoji due to size limitations. There are also limitations on some emoji strings and phrases due to Apple’s content filtering.  They will not allow offensive words or offensive emoji use.  for instance, you can use the poo emoji, but you cannot use the horse emoji then the poo emoji.  Strangely, you can make other animal-poo combinations

AirTag Loop in Deep Navy

though.

Accessories

The AirTag has only one accessory, but in several different colors.  The AirTag Loop is a luggage tag, type of holder for the AirTag which comes in several colors; deep navy, white, saddle leather, electric orange and sunflower yellow.

Availability

AirTags are available for preorder now and will officially launch on April 30th.