Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Returning to my local airport after a trip from France, it quickly became clear that something was amiss. One by one, fellow passengers retrieved their luggage from the baggage carousel, but my trusty rolling suitcase failed to appear. It was, in fact, lost.
Fortunately, panic was unnecessary. Before checking my baggage, I had placed a small, sophisticated tracking device inside. With a few taps on my smartphone, I could see my bag had opted for an extended stay in Paris. (Who could blame it?).
Over the years, I’ve come to depend on Apple AirTags to monitor my easily misplaced belongings. These compact item locators are not limited to suitcases; I also utilize them for keys, bicycles, and even my car. It’s clear you can never have too many of these practical gadgets. That’s why I intend to capitalize on special offers to purchase more AirTags.
Here’s how the Apple AirTag functioned during that memorable trip: It employs a clever tracking method, pinpointing its location via nearby iPhones. These devices anonymously relay the coordinates to a secure server, allowing me to view the location on my iPhone. Just a few years prior, this technology would have seemed like something out of a spy film.
Apple AirTags: Offering Peace of Mind Through Item Tracking
An individual AirTag is unassuming. Resembling a smooth, white mint, this 1.26-inch disc easily disappears inside a bag or attaches to a keyring (keyring sold separately). Its purpose is to blend in.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Activating the AirTag was a straightforward pairing process with my iPhone. After this initial setup, its simplicity meant I didn’t have to think about it again until needed.
The next instance I misplaced my keys, it felt like magic. My iPhone didn’t just indicate they were nearby – it guided me directly to their location using the AirTag’s integrated Ultra Wideband chip. Suddenly, countless hours spent searching for misplaced items became a distant memory.
Currently, I have AirTags attached to all essential items I wish to monitor: my everyday laptop bag, camera backpack, frequently used suitcase, keyring, car, and a smaller sling backpack for walks. I can access the Find My app on any Apple device (or log in to iCloud from any web browser) to view the current and last known locations of my belongings.
AirTags extend beyond everyday items. Individuals in the film industry commonly use AirTags in equipment bags and cases, not only for security against theft but also for rapid identification among similar-looking containers. Some friends have also attached AirTags to pet collars, although experts recommend dedicated pet trackers for enhanced features.
Versatile Uses: Keeping Valuables Secure with AirTags
Discovering my luggage’s location across continents provided significant reassurance. However, AirTags also offer benefits closer to home. They can trigger alerts when you move too far from a tagged item. For example, leaving my camera bag in the car at a lunch stop prompts a Find My notification, reminding me I’ve left it behind. This feature also functions with recent AirPods models.
AirTag Sharing: Enhanced Tracking Capabilities
Our household has two cars, and tracking both was initially cumbersome. Pairing the AirTag in my wife’s car to her iPhone (and mine to my iPhone) was limiting.
To prevent unwanted tracking, AirTags notify nearby iPhones of their presence. As a result, driving my wife’s car without her would trigger notifications about an AirTag traveling with me. (This alert is suppressed when the owner is nearby).
However, iOS 17 introduced AirTag sharing, resolving this issue. By sharing AirTags with each other, both my wife and I can easily locate either car in crowded parking areas without constant, unnecessary alerts.
A feature introduced with iOS 18.2 is temporary location sharing. In my luggage scenario, if the suitcase was at the airport but not immediately locatable by staff (common during peak travel), I could share its location with an attendant for quicker retrieval from restricted areas.
Apple AirTag Specifications
- Diameter: 1.26 inches (31.9 mm)
- Height: 0.31 inches (8 mm)
- Weight: 0.39 ounces (11 g)
- Resistance: IP67 rated for water and dust (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Battery: Replaceable CR2032 coin cell
Battery Life and Replacement
An AirTag incorporates Bluetooth, the U1 Ultra Wideband chip, and NFC for sharing basic details in Lost Mode. All this is powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery, which typically lasts about a year before requiring replacement.
Notifications alert you when battery levels are low, though a precise gauge is absent until levels become critical. Battery replacement is simple. However, owning several AirTags means replacing multiple batteries annually. Purchasing CR2032 batteries in bulk is a cost-effective solution.
AirTags: Excellent Gift Ideas
Apple AirTags are consistently featured in gift recommendations due to their broad utility. Available at reduced prices in four-packs, they offer numerous applications. A growing market of accessories, from robust car mounts to discreet fabric holders for clothing, expands their versatility. Demonstrating AirTag functionality often convinces others of their value, highlighting their practicality for tracking belongings.
Looking for more cost-saving deals to simplify your life? Explore current promotions on useful items including potential discounts on AirTag accessories to enhance your tracking experience.