According to recent reports, Apple is set to release an upgraded version of its popular AirTag tracking device in mid-2025, featuring improved range and enhanced privacy features. This new iteration is expected to build upon the success of the original AirTag, which has become a go-to solution for locating lost items using Apple’s extensive Find My network.
In this Apple AirTag Review, we’ll take a look at:
Tracking Device Overview
The Apple AirTag, introduced in 2021, has revolutionized the way we keep track of our belongings. This small, coin-sized device leverages Apple’s vast Find My network to help users locate misplaced items with remarkable precision. In an increasingly fast-paced world, tracking devices like AirTags have become essential tools for managing our daily lives, reducing stress, and saving time that would otherwise be spent searching for lost items.
AirTags utilize Bluetooth technology to communicate with nearby Apple devices, creating a network of over a billion devices capable of detecting and reporting their location. This review aims to explore the features, functionality, and potential applications of Apple AirTags, providing readers with insights into how this innovative tracking solution can simplify their lives and protect their valuables. We’ll delve into the device’s precision tracking capabilities, privacy features, and integration with Apple’s ecosystem, offering a comprehensive look at why AirTags have become a go-to choice for iPhone users seeking a reliable item tracker.
Apple AirTag Explained
The Apple AirTag is a small, circular tracking device designed to help users locate personal items like keys, wallets, and bags. With a diameter of 1.3 inches and a thickness of 0.3 inches, it’s slightly larger than a stack of four quarters. The AirTag features a sleek design with a shiny stainless steel side and a customizable white plastic side.
Key features and specifications of the AirTag include:
- Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise tracking
- Integration with Apple’s Find My network, utilizing millions of Apple devices worldwide
- Water resistance rating of IP67, surviving immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- Replaceable CR2032 battery with a lifespan of about one year
- Precision Finding feature for iPhone 11 or later models (except SE)
- Anti-stalking alerts to prevent misuse
Compared to other tracking devices like Tile and Samsung SmartTag, AirTags offer unique advantages such as Precision Finding and access to Apple’s vast Find My network. However, unlike some competitors, AirTags lack a built-in hole for attachment, requiring separate accessories for keychain use. While AirTags excel in the Apple ecosystem, alternatives like GPS trackers may be more suitable for real-time tracking of vehicles or pets.
AirTag Setup Guide
Setting up an Apple AirTag is a straightforward process designed for seamless integration with iOS devices. To begin, ensure your iPhone is running iOS 14.5 or later and has Bluetooth enabled. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
- Remove the AirTag from its packaging and pull out the battery tab to activate it.
- Hold the AirTag near your iPhone. A setup animation should appear automatically.
- Tap “Connect” and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Name your AirTag (e.g., “Keys” or “Backpack”) and optionally add an emoji for easy identification.
- Register the AirTag with your Apple ID.
AirTags are compatible with iPhone SE, 6S or later, iPod Touch 7th generation or later, and various iPad models. For the best experience, including Precision Finding, use an iPhone 11 or later (excluding SE models) with the U1 chip. The setup process is user-friendly, typically taking just a few minutes. Users report a smooth experience, with the iPhone quickly detecting the AirTag and guiding them through each step with clear instructions and visual cues.
Precision and Range Performance
Apple AirTags leverage a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies to provide accurate item tracking. The Bluetooth range typically extends up to 30 feet indoors and around 100 feet in open spaces. However, the real power of AirTags lies in their integration with Apple’s vast Find My network, which can potentially track items across entire cities or even countries by relaying location data through nearby Apple devices.
For precise tracking within close range, AirTags utilize UWB technology, offering centimeter-level accuracy within about 30 feet. This enables the Precision Finding feature on compatible iPhones, guiding users to their lost items with directional feedback and exact distance measurements. While the AirTag itself doesn’t have GPS capabilities, its reliance on the Find My network and UWB technology allows for highly accurate tracking in most environments, surpassing the limitations of traditional Bluetooth-only trackers.
AirTag Features and Security
Apple AirTags offer several customization and security features that enhance their functionality and user experience. Customers can personalize their AirTags with free engraving, including up to four characters of text or a selection from 31 emoji options, when purchasing from Apple’s website or app. This customization helps users easily identify their AirTags and adds a personal touch to the device.
AirTags seamlessly integrate with the Find My app, allowing users to track up to 32 items. The app utilizes end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy, ensuring that not even Apple can access the location or identity of devices participating in the search. To prevent misuse, AirTags incorporate anti-stalking measures such as rotating Bluetooth identifiers, alerts for unknown AirTags detected nearby, and sound emission if separated from the owner for an extended period. These security features, combined with the ability to disable found AirTags using NFC-capable devices, demonstrate Apple’s commitment to user privacy and safety in the realm of item tracking.
Precision Tracking with Ultra-Wideband
The upcoming AirTag 2 is expected to leverage Apple’s second-generation Ultra-Wideband (UWB) chip, significantly enhancing its tracking capabilities. This new UWB technology promises to triple the tracking range, extending it from the current 10-30 meters to an impressive 30-90 meters. The improved chip also offers centimeter-level accuracy in distance measurements, allowing for highly precise indoor positioning and navigation.
Key features of the upgraded UWB technology include:
- Enhanced spatial awareness, enabling devices to understand their relative positions in space with greater precision
- Improved performance in complex indoor environments, with signals capable of penetrating walls and obstacles
- Low power consumption, ensuring extended battery life for the AirTag
- Resistance to interference from other wireless signals, providing more reliable tracking in crowded environments
These advancements are expected to significantly improve the user experience, making it easier to locate lost items quickly and accurately, even in challenging environments.
Integration with Apple’s Find My Network
The AirTag’s seamless integration with Apple’s Find My network is a key feature that sets it apart from other tracking devices. This vast network leverages millions of Apple devices worldwide to help locate lost items. When an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range, it can be put into Lost mode, allowing users to receive notifications when it comes within range of any device in the Find My network.
The Find My app utilizes Apple’s U1 chip with Ultra Wideband technology to provide Precision Finding, guiding users to their AirTag through visual, auditory, and haptic feedback. This feature is particularly useful for visually impaired users, as it includes a voice-over option. Additionally, if someone else finds a lost AirTag, they can use an iPhone or any NFC-capable device, including Android phones, to view the owner’s contact information if provided.
Anti-Stalking and Privacy Features
Apple has significantly enhanced the AirTag’s anti-stalking and privacy features to address concerns about potential misuse. The upcoming AirTag 2, expected in mid-2025, will include a redesigned speaker that is harder to remove, making it more challenging for individuals to tamper with the device for malicious purposes. This builds upon existing safety measures, such as shortened notification times for alerting users to unknown AirTags traveling with them.
Key privacy features of AirTags include end-to-end encryption of communications through the Find My app, randomized Bluetooth identifiers to prevent unwanted tracking, and the absence of location data storage on the device itself. Additionally, Apple has implemented a notification system for Android users and improved warning sounds for easier detection of potentially misused AirTags. These enhancements reflect Apple’s commitment to user safety while maintaining the AirTag’s functionality as an effective item tracker.
Pros and Cons Overview
Apple AirTags offer a range of benefits and drawbacks that users should consider. Here’s a concise overview of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Ease of use: AirTags are incredibly simple to set up and use, with just a few taps on an iPhone required for pairing.
- Accuracy: The device provides highly accurate location tracking through Apple’s vast “Find My” network.
- Cost-effective: Compared to other tracking devices, AirTags are budget-friendly while offering reliable performance.
- Long battery life: The CR2032 button cell battery lasts for nearly a year and is easily replaceable.
- Integration with Apple ecosystem: AirTags work seamlessly with other Apple devices and services.
Cons:
- Limited compatibility: Initial activation and full functionality require an iPhone or iPad, limiting use for non-Apple users.
- Potential for misuse: There are concerns about AirTags being used for stalking or unauthorized tracking.
- Lack of built-in attachment: Unlike some competitors, AirTags don’t have a hole for easy attachment to items, requiring separate accessories.
- Privacy concerns: Despite safety measures, the powerful tracking capabilities of AirTags have raised privacy issues.
- Reliance on nearby Apple devices: The effectiveness of tracking depends on the presence of other Apple devices in the vicinity.
Practical AirTag Applications
Apple AirTags have proven invaluable in various real-life scenarios, offering peace of mind and practical solutions for everyday challenges. Users have reported success in tracking luggage during air travel, with the ability to monitor their bags’ location from check-in to carousel. This feature has been particularly useful in cases of delayed or misrouted luggage, allowing travelers to provide accurate information to airlines.
AirTags have also become popular for securing valuable items like cameras and equipment. Professional photographers have found them essential for protecting their gear during on-location shoots. In more unusual applications, some users have employed AirTags to monitor remote properties for trespassers or to keep tabs on important equipment in low-traffic areas. Parents of children with special needs or elderly individuals with dementia have utilized AirTags as a safety measure, attaching them to clothing or personal items to help locate loved ones who may wander off. Many users praise the device’s reliability in finding everyday items like keys, wallets, and remote controls, with the Precision Finding feature making it easy to locate objects within the home.
Competitor Comparison Analysis
Apple AirTags compete primarily with Tile trackers and Samsung SmartTags in the Bluetooth tracker market. Here’s a brief comparison of their key features:
Feature | Apple AirTag | Tile Pro | Samsung SmartTag |
|---|---|---|---|
Network Size | Billions of Apple devices | Millions of Tile users | Millions of Samsung devices |
Precision Finding | Yes (UWB) | No | Yes (UWB in SmartTag+) |
Battery Life | ~1 year | ~1 year | ~1 year |
Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
Compatibility | iOS only | iOS and Android | Samsung Galaxy only |
Built-in Keyring Hole | No | Yes | Yes |
Apple AirTags excel in network size and precision tracking, leveraging the vast Find My network and Ultra-Wideband technology for accurate location. However, they lack a built-in hole for attachment, requiring separate accessories. Tile offers cross-platform compatibility and a variety of form factors, but has a smaller network. Samsung SmartTags are limited to Galaxy devices but offer similar UWB precision in their Plus model.
While AirTags provide unmatched accuracy within the Apple ecosystem, their iOS-only compatibility is a significant limitation compared to Tile’s universal approach. Tile’s ability to ring your phone from the tracker is a unique feature absent in AirTags. Ultimately, the choice depends on the user’s device ecosystem and specific tracking needs.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
The Apple AirTag has evolved significantly since its initial release, with the upcoming 2025 model promising substantial improvements. The new AirTag is expected to feature a more powerful Ultra-Wideband chip, tripling its tracking range from the current 10-30 meters to an impressive 30-90 meters. This enhancement, coupled with the device’s integration with Apple’s vast Find My network, makes it an even more formidable tracking solution.
For Apple users, the AirTag remains a compelling purchase in 2025. Its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, improved precision tracking, and enhanced privacy features make it a versatile tool for keeping track of valuables. The device’s long battery life, water resistance, and competitive pricing further add to its appeal. However, potential buyers should consider the device’s limitations, such as its dependency on Apple devices and the need for separate accessories for attachment. Despite these minor drawbacks, the AirTag’s advanced tracking capabilities and robust privacy measures make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a reliable, user-friendly item tracker within the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an AirTag battery last?
The AirTag uses a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that typically lasts about one year. When the battery is running low, your iPhone will receive a notification. Replacing the battery is simple and can be done by pushing down and twisting the back cover of the AirTag.
Can AirTags be used to track pets or children?
While AirTags are not specifically designed for tracking living beings, many people use them for this purpose. However, Apple does not recommend using AirTags to track children or pets1. For child tracking, Apple suggests using an Apple Watch with Family Setup instead. It’s important to note that AirTags may not be ideal for tracking objects in constant motion.
Are AirTags waterproof?
AirTags are not fully waterproof, but they are water-resistant with an IP67 rating12. This means they can withstand submersion in up to one meter of water for a maximum of 30 minutes. They can also operate in temperatures ranging from -4° to 140° F (-20° to 60° C).
