How to set up and use Apple AirTags to track items

You know that feeling when you reach into your pocket and realize something is missing? That mini panic attack moment? Well, say goodbye to those days thanks to Apple AirTag, the smallest device that makes keeping track of your stuff easier than ever.

It's funny, really. The AirTag is one of those things that doesn't seem like a big deal until you have one. Then suddenly I wonder: how could I have lived without this?

And I'm not the only one who thinks that way. I get a lot of questions about this personal thing tracking invention, especially when someone gets one or when the battery dies after about a year, which, by the way, is a good entry for such a small device. So let's dive into the settings, shall we?

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Setting up your AirTag

• First things first, grab your iPhone and head to the starting screen.
• Do you have a new AirTag? Delete the battery tab (if it's there) and keep it near your iPhone.
• A bit Connect The message will appear on your screen; go ahead and play that.

Steps to configure your AirTag (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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• now you can name your AirTag. You can choose between list or devise a custom name.

Steps to configure your AirTag (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• Tap Continue
• Register the AirTag or third-party item to your Apple ID
• Click Finish

Steps to configure your AirTag (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to locate an AirTag or other item in Find My on iPhone

You can use the Find My app to locate a missing AirTag or a third-party item that you've registered to your Apple ID. If you have an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro model, you will also be able to find its exact location.

• Go to the Find My app on your iPhone and tap he
• Gonna Items at the bottom right of the screen

Steps to locate an AirTag in Find My on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• Then touch the article you want to locate
• If the item can be located: appears on the map so you can see where it is. The location and timestamp appear below the item name. The item's location is updated when you connect to the Find My network.
• If the item cannot be located: you will see where and when was it last located. Under Notifications, turn on Notify when found. You will receive a notification once it is located again.

Steps to locate an AirTag in Find My on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Make sure you allow notifications for the Find My app. See Change notification settings on iPhone.

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play a sound

If the object is nearby, you can play a sound to help you find it.

Note: If you can't play a sound on an item, you won't see the Play Sound button.

• Tap Items at the bottom of the screen
• Then touch the article you want to play a sound
• Tap Play sound
• To stop sound playback before it ends automatically, touch stop sound

Get directions to an item

You can get directions to the current location or last known location of an item in the Maps app.

• Tap Items at the bottom of the screen
• Then touch the article you want to get directions to
• Tap Addresses to open Maps

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Find the precise location of an AirTag

If you have a compatible iPhone and they are close to you air tagyou can find the precise location of the AirTag.

• Tap Items at the bottom of the screen, then tap the nearby AirTag
• Tap Find
• Do any of the following:

1. Begin moving to locate the AirTag and follow the on-screen instructions. You may see an arrow pointing in the direction of the AirTag, an approximate distance that tells you how far away it is, and a note if you're located on a different floor.
2. Tap on the speaker icon to play a sound on the AirTag

• When you locate the AirTag, tap the x

Steps to find the precise location of an AirTag (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Share an AirTag or other item in Find My on iPhone

If you want to share an item that is paired with a air tag (or a third-party item that works with Find My), you can share it on Find My so the borrower can see it on a map and find you. If it's nearby, Find My can play a sound, and if you're using a compatible iPhone, you will be able to find its precise location. People you share items with don't receive tracking notifications when items are moved with them.

You can share a air tag or another item with up to five borrowers in addition to you, for a total of six users per item, as long as the following requirements are met:

• Two-factor authentication must be activated for your Apple ID.
• The person you share with must have a Apple ID and sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID. You cannot share with a child account.
• The owner and borrowers must have iCloud Keychain switched on.

Share an AirTag

• Open the Find my app on your iPhone
• Then tap Items
• Tap on the AirTag name either article Do you want to share
• Then tap Add person below Share this AirTag (or share this article)
• Enter the Apple ID of the person you want to add. To add more people, tap the plus sign with a circle around it
• Tap on the Name of individual do you want to share with
• Then touch your Apple ID
• Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each person you want to add.
• When you're done adding borrowers, tap Share in the upper right corner. A list of all the people you invited appears on the item's main screen, along with the status of their invitations.

When a recipient accepts an invitation, the corresponding AirTag will appear in “Items” in the “Find My” app. They will also receive a notification about the shared article. Conversely, if the invitation is declined, the recipient's name will be removed from the list and the item will no longer be visible to you.

Kurt's Key Takeaways

He Apple AirTag It may be small, but it is powerful. It's changed the game for forgetful people around the world, and with every update it gets better. So whether you're tracking your keys, your bag, or even your pet who likes to roam, AirTag has your back.

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