APPLE AIR TAG REVIEW
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| Apple AirTags |
At one point or another, I've reviewed practically every Bluetooth tracking device on the market. To mark their location, most had a restricted range and feeble chirps. Worse, they had to rely on someone else having the tracker's software installed on their phone. None of these trackers changed my day, which is why Apple's AirTag announcement piqued my interest. Today, a four-pack of AirTags ($99) arrived at my door, and I immediately set out to put them to the test. Continue reading for a complete hands-on examination of AirTag.
What are some of the other trackers I've experimented with and abandoned? The only ones that are still available are Tile, TrackR, and Mynt. Only the Apple AirTag has been incorporated into Apple's Find My app, even though they all have iOS apps and have been updated since I tested them years ago. This app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Mac computers.
How Apple AirTag Works
AirTag functions similarly to the majority of other trackers. It sends out a Bluetooth signal that an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad can detect. It can also accept Bluetooth signals, so if you lose an AirTagged item and tap Play Sound on the Find My app, it will receive a signal to do so and start chirping loudly so you can find it.
If you actually misplace anything and are unable to locate it, AirTag is even more valuable. Other Apple customers' iOS / iPadOS devices pick up the Bluetooth signal from the AirTag and send the device's position and AirTag information to iCloud.
WHEN A TAG IS LOST
When you realize you've misplaced or stolen something with an airbag, you can activate Lost Mode in the Find My app. This tells you when the AirTag's location becomes available. If someone finds the AirTag, they won't be able to pair it because it's only tied to your Apple ID. You have the option of leaving a phone number and a message for anyone who finds the item that has been labeled.
The fact that there are hundreds of millions of devices capable of detecting and anonymously reporting the location of your tagged item is what will make the AirTag so powerful. There's a strong chance that someone with an iPhone will come across your misplaced AirTag shortly, and you'll be contacted.
SAMPLE USE CASES
When I first heard about AirTag, my initial reaction was, "Cool, I can put one of these in my travel trailer!" Nobody will look for it because it's little, and if the trailer is ever stolen, I can immediately activate Lost Mode and track it down. A $29 AirTag is a low-cost location tracker for a high-cost purchase!
I've only misplaced my keys once in my life, but it was enough. For my keys, I got a Belkin $12.99 "Secure Holder with Key Ring" so that I can find them if they go missing. My wife intends to keep one in her little purse, while I will keep the fourth AirTag in our four-pack in my wallet. I've already opted to purchase a single AirTag ($29) for my "gizmo bag" that travels with me. I can't tell you how many times I've come close to losing that bag...
AirTag Design by Apple
AirTag, like all Apple products, is famed for its design brilliance. Each airbag is slightly larger in diameter than a US quarter, as shown in the image below - 1.26 inches / 3.2 cm:
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| An Apple AirTag next to a US quarter dollar coin |
AirTag is a little thicker than some of the other trackers on the market. It appears to be about four quarters thick (.31 inch / 8mm). Apple lets you personalize your AirTag with emoji (like the one above) or initials. An Apple logo, Bluetooth LE, Ultra-Wideband, and other inscriptions can be found on the back of an AirTag:
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| AirTag’s other side is on a keyboard that needs cleaning… |
AirTags may be difficult to put inside a wallet due to their thickness. Keyrings, belts, bike mounts, and other ways to connect AirTags to actual items are already being developed by accessory designers. I've had a Finn Wallet from Waterfield Designs for years, and I suggested that they make an AirTag "pouch" for the inside of their wallets.
Apple's decision to use the widely available CR2032 battery to power the AirTag appeals to me. These batteries are widely available and reasonably priced. However, I'm surprised Apple didn't make them rechargeable to cut down on power waste. AirTag is the right size for an Apple Watch charging puck, and it's even magnetic. The charging circuitry in AirTag appears to be relatively straightforward to implement. Perhaps this will be seen in AirTag 2...
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| The AirTag contains an easily replaceable CR2032 battery |
AirTag Setup
AirTag is quite simple to set up. Only one thing is required before you begin: that your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad is running the most recent version of iOS or iPadOS (14.5.1 or later).
Remove a small plastic wrapper from around the AirTag and pull it to remove an internal wrapper piece that prevents the battery from being utilized during storage after you're confident of that. When your AirTag is ready to use, you'll hear a chirp.
For NFC (Near Field Communication) setup, position the AirTag within 2 inches (5 cm) of the iPhone or iPad. The gadget immediately displays the presence of an AirTag. The following image depicts the procedure as it appears on an iPhone or iPad:
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| The AirTag Setup Process |
- Hold the AirTag close to the iPhone or iPad until the far left window appears. It shows an AirTag that rotates slowly. Connect by pressing the Connect button.
- Choose a default name for the AirTag or give it a unique name. Continue by tapping the Continue button.
- If you want to give it a unique name, type it in and then press Continue.
- Tap Continue after choosing an emoji to symbolize this AirTag.
- To link the AirTag to your Apple ID, tap Continue once more.
Using AirTag in conjunction with Find My App
So, you've misplaced your keys somewhere in the home. You'll notice a new tab when you open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Find My previously only displayed people (like in "Find My Friends") or gadgets (as in "Find My iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, etc..."). The new tab, dubbed "Items," shows any AirTagged object.
You'll see a list of labeled items if you go to the Items tab. The list indicates that the things are "With You" if they are close by (such as in a wallet in your pocket). The location of the tags is also shown on a map:
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| The Find My app Items tab shows your tagged items |
Tap one of the listed items and a details window appears:
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| The details window for a “lost” item |
When you press the Play Sound button, the AirTag starts chirping, allowing you to locate the item if it's hidden under a cushion or if it's been knocked under a couch by a cat. If the item is close but not exactly close, tap Find, and the following animated screen appears:
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| The AirTag is close, but not with you… |
If you have Precise Location enabled in Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Find My and are using a recent device with Apple's U1 Ultra Wideband chip, you will be directed to the item:
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| Find My pointing to the location of the AirTag |
The chirp is reactivated by tapping the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the window shown above, allowing you to locate the lost AirTag or item.
OTHER DEVICES THAT THE FIND MY APP SUPPORTS
Other companies have licensed Apple's AirTag technology. Find I currently support three third-party devices (as of May 2021):
The Big Test Is Still Ahead
I haven't yet had a chance to do a true "field test," which means I'll hide an AirTag (probably in a plastic bag with a label on it) somewhere in our neighborhood greenbelt and see if people walking or riding by can pass the location to me via the Find My network. When that test is finished, I'll update this article and let you know how it went!
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