AirTags are real, and this is how you’ll use them to find your missing stuff

This story is part of Apple Event, our full coverage of the latest news from Apple headquarters.

Apple’s new AirTags tracking devices debuted on Tuesday at the tech giant’s virtual product launch event. The beacon-style devices work similarly to Tile and Samsung’s SmartTag Bluetooth trackers and can help you find lost items like your keys, backpack, and more by tracking them with the Find My app and iOS 14.5. 

Apple AirTags cost $29 each (or $99 for a pack of four), and will be available for preorder on Friday. They’ll sell in stores on April 30. 

But once you get your AirTags, how do you actually use them? Here’s what you need to know about getting started with AirTags.

How to set up your AirTags

Apple says the AirTags setup is similar to how you activate AirPods ($160 at Walmart). Here’s what to do once you’ve got the devices in hand. 

1. Locate the Find My app on your iPhone or compatible Apple device. The app should be preinstalled, but you’ll need to set it up. 

2. Pair your AirTag with your iPhone. All you have to do is bring the AirTag close to your iPhone, and it should connect. 

3. Follow the onscreen steps to name your new item (i.e. “My car keys” if you’re attaching your AirTag to your keys) and register it to your Apple ID.

4. Once the AirTag is paired, you should be able to see it under Items in the app, where you’ll be able to see its current or last known location on a map. 

5. Attach the AirTag to whatever item you’d like to keep track of — your keys, your phone, really anything. 

Finding nearby items with AirTags or turning on Lost Mode

Another cool feature: If the item you’ve misplaced is within Bluetooth range, you can use the Find My app to play a sound from the AirTag to help you find it. You can also ask Siri to find the item, and the AirTag will play a sound if it’s nearby. If you have an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, you’ll be able to take advantage of the Precision Finding feature, which can help guide you to the AirTag with more precise directions. 

If you’ve misplaced your item in a public place, you can place the AirTag in Lost Mode and get notified once it’s in range or has been located by the Find My network. If someone finds it, they can tap it using their iPhone or another NFC-capable device and be taken to a website to display the contact information for the owner, if you’ve set that up.

For more, check out how to use the Find My app, and everything to know about iOS 14.5.