You’ll never want to travel without an AirTag again.
There’s nothing worse than waiting at baggage claim…and waiting…and waiting…and your heart sinks when you realize your suitcase isn’t there. In a panic, you rush over to the help desk and make a claim. They might offer you a toiletry bag to get you through the next little while, but there’s no telling when your bag might turn up. It could be on a different continent for all anyone knows.
What are AirTags and how do they work
AirTags are small wireless devices that can be attached to anything you want to keep track of—like your keys, wallet, or suitcase. They use Bluetooth to communicate with Apple devices running iOS 14.5 or later, and they can help you locate your belongings if they ever go missing.
Check out this Apple Support video for a tutorial on how to set up your AirTag.
How to use AirTags to track your luggage
Although there are tons of accessories, including bag tags, you also have the option to toss an AirTag somewhere inside your luggage so it is less likely to get damaged or detached during transit. I tucked an AirTag in my toiletry bag so it’d be easy to keep track of.
Make sure you’ve labeled the AirTag something easy to identify in the Find My app—something like “Jeff’s blue suitcase”.
To track your luggage, open the Find My app and click “Items” at the bottom. You’ll see where and when the AirTag was last pinged and how far away it is.
If your suitcase isn’t nearby, enable “Lost Mode”. This will send you a notification when the item is nearby or its location is updated in Find My. You can even set a message to pop up if someone with an iPhone finds the AirTag, such as instructions to call you. Here’s a video with more details about Lost Mode.
Does this actually work?
When my bag got lost during a transatlantic flight, I was able to see that my suitcase was in Copenhagen airport, terminal 3. I went to the baggage help desk in Frankfurt to make a claim, showed them the location on the Find My app, and my suitcase was promptly found and delivered to my doorstep the next day.
Would they have eventually found my suitcase if I didn’t have an AirTag? Hopefully. And most likely, yes. But being able to see exactly where my bag was and tracking its solo journey offered relief in what would otherwise have been a stressful time spent playing a blind Waiting Game.
So, yes —I can confirm from personal experience that an AirTag helps keep track of your bag’s location and can even help it be found faster than hoping an understaffed airport employee miraculously notices a misplaced bag before someone else takes it.
Other uses for AirTags
In addition to keeping track of your luggage, AirTags can be used for a variety of other things. Besides the obvious of keeping track of your wallet or keys, some creativity can open up loads of possibilities.
For starters, how about leaving an AirTag in the glovebox when you park your car at the airport so you’ll be able to find it even after that 10-hr redeye flight. Stick an AirTag on a bike or stroller so you can quickly find it if it’s ever stolen. Or, if you’re worried about forgetting your laptop bag, put an AirTag inside to keep tabs on it.
Where to buy AirTags
AirTags cost $29 for one, $99 for four, and can be purchased from Apple or other retailers like Amazon and Target.
FAQ
Can AirTags be used to track people?
Yes and no. AirTags are not designed to track people and Apple has security measures in place if it looks like there’s an AirTag following you that isn’t yours. However, there has been some speculation about the possibility of using AirTags to stalk unsuspecting victims.
How long does the battery last?
It’s estimated that an AirTag battery lasts for about 1 year. Although AirTags can’t be recharged, they use a standard CR2032 battery which can easily be replaced.
Can an AirTag be stolen or turned off?
AirTags cannot be turned off. When Lost Mode is enabled, the AirTag cannot be registered to another user unless the original owner finds it.
Can AirTags be used with Android phones?
Android phones with the Tracker Detect app can identify an AirTag, which can help get a lost AirTag back to its owner. However, non-Apple users cannot set up and use their own AirTags.
Can AirTags be used to track pets?
Apple officially states that AirTags aren’t made for tracking pets. However, some 3rd party products allow an AirTag to be attached to a pet’s collar. While this probably won’t help you find your dog that ran off while camping in the mountains, this could be helpful to track a pet traveling in the cargo hold of the plane, or for city dogs that frequently escape out the front door every time it opens.
Final Thoughts
Overall, AirTags are a great way to keep track of your belongings when traveling. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, and they can provide peace of mind knowing that you can find your lost luggage if it ever gets misplaced. While they are not perfect, AirTags offer many benefits that make them worth considering for your next trip.
Do you have any clever uses for AirTags? Let us know in the comments below!
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