How Does Airtag Work

When you come across a lost Airtag or someone comes across your lost Air Tag, they scan a smartphone equipped with NFC to display contact information. Once the Airtag is in lost mode, it transmits its location to the owner via the Find My Network. Since NFC works on both iPhone and Android devices, they scan the device to locate the owner when you find an item and give it to someone. Show Sources

If someone detects an AirTag and taps it on their device, they will tell them the information about the owner, if allowed. You can, of course, place the AirTag in Lost Mode and give it the ability to share personal information about where it is, and it will play a warning sound. Passersby with iPhones will not be alerted by Airtag, but it will send you a notification if it has access to the Find My Network in Lost Mode. Show Sources

Any smart device running NFC (including Android) can tap it to see a web page with the information you want to share. This scenario deals with what happens if you don't have an iOS device that warns you of an alien airtag in your presence: The device continues to play a sound, but not in lost mode, which is under the control of the owner. Show Sources

To find a lost airtag, someone can tap it on their iPhone or other NFC-enabled device, take it to a website that displays a contact number or send an email to the owner if they provide one. Users can also place the Airtag in "Lost" mode to be notified if they are out of range or out of the huge Find My Network. Show Sources

AirTag sends a Bluetooth signal when detected by a device on the Find My Network. The separation of the AirTag owner from the Bluetooth range of the network helps with positioning. When the Airtag is disconnected from the device of its owner, it updates its position based on the next Find My Device it is capable of. Show Sources

There is a built-in speaker that plays sound to find a lost airtag in the house or you can play the sound through the Find My app and ask Siri to find the airtag with the sound. Show Sources

The Find My Network uses hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to help find an Airtag and it displays a map of where it is on another device. In losing mode, Airtag sends a notification when it detects the network and you can add your contact information to find your item and contact you. An Airtag can be located via Find My app on the map using Bluetooth signals from other anonymous iOS and iPadOS devices around the world. Show Sources

Apple's latest smart device, AirTag, is a small puck-shaped tracking device that can help you find missing or stolen items through the Find My App. To prevent unwanted tracking, iOS and iPadOS devices alert their owners when someone appears to be near or near them. IPhone users can also see phone numbers and messages that identify lost items - a feature of the app that uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Show Sources

Apple AirTag is a tiny Bluetooth tracker which attaches to objects such as your keys to locate your iPhone, iPad or Mac. The AirTag, a small puck-shaped tracking device that can help you find stolen or lost items using the Find My App, costs $29 for one or $99 for a pack of four engraved letters and a picture of your choice. Accessories such as key chains, luggage tags and loops for holding the tracker are sold separately. Show Sources

Bluetooth trackers are not new, but the biggest selling point of Apple Airtag is Apple's Find My Network which has sold hundreds of millions of Apple devices. Now Apple is adding support for third-party devices such as bicycles and headphones that have built-in support. Show Sources

In theory, a stalker or abusive partner can monitor a person's whereabouts if they have an Apple device. You can also share your location with your family - and location sharing can help families find lost Apple devices in the Find My App app. If you think it would be helpful, your family member can help you find Airtag on their own device. Show Sources

Apple's AirTag is a tile tracker, a tiny tracking device that relies on a Bluetooth connection to work. For example, you can locate an AirTag hundreds of miles away on an iPhone and walk to it. Show Sources

The tracker has a range of up to 30 feet, and you can open the app on your smartphone or tablet to locate it. If your tracker is not within range of your device, you can set up a "lost mode" in which it communicates with other devices and if they are within Bluetooth range of your tracker, you will be notified of the location of your tracker and if the other person has knowledge they can help you find it. Show Sources

AirTag uses a Bluetooth signal to tap into the network of billions of Apple devices around the world, where iPhones and Macs send the signal. AirTag can communicate with any Apple device I use to find my home on the network, including iPhones, iPads and Mac. Show Sources

When Apple AirTag is held for a sufficient period of time on one of its devices (about three days at the time of writing), it starts to emit a sound. As soon as Apple hears the sound of finding, it scans its NFC-enabled devices and gives the option to switch to "lost" mode, where it notifies you that your tracker has been found. If you lose an AirTag connected with it, you will be notified about the location of an iPhone or Mac within the Bluetooth range of AirTag.