Leveraging Apple AirTags for Seamless Tracking: A Valuable Travel Companion
I was relieved when I realized my missing rolling suitcase wasn’t just stuck on the airport carousel or abandoned on a tarmac. Inside, I had strategically placed an Apple AirTag, a sophisticated tracking device that can easily be掌控led via my iPhone. With a few taps, I could track my suitcase’s movements, and it turned out it was still at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. This might have otherwise caused panic, but the AirTag provided peace of mind and a straightforward solution.
Why Apple AirTags are Indispensable
Over the past few years, I’ve come to rely on Apple AirTags for tracking various items, including keys, bikes, and even adding them to my luggage before an international flight. I plan to take advantage of Presidents Day sales on Amazon, where a four-pack of AirTags can be purchased for just $70, allowing me to track more items easily.
These small, discreet AirTags use a clever method of tracking by utilizing nearby iPhones to anonymously transmit its location to a secure server accessible via the Find My app on your iPhone. Just a few years ago, this type of technology seemed like science fiction, reserved for spy movies and covert operations.
AirTags and Peace of Mind
The AirTag in my suitcase informed me that it was still at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, letting me calmly inform the airline about the missing luggage. The airline then made arrangements to have it delivered a few days later, eliminating the stress of wondering what happened to my luggage.
What makes AirTags stand out is their simplicity. They are about the size of a traditional breath mint, designed to be virtually invisible when attached or placed inside your belongings. Compared to other tracking devices, AirTags streamline the process without drawing attention to themselves.
How to Utilize AirTags in Everyday Life
Activating an AirTag is straightforward: pair it with your iPhone and forget about it until you need it. Sometimes, you’ll forget about it entirely, like when it happened with my keys. Instead of searching frantically, my iPhone guided me straight to the keys, thanks to the AirTag’s built-in U1 Ultra Wideband chip.
Over time, I’ve attached AirTags to various essential items, including my laptop bag, camera backpack, travel suitcase, keys, car, and even smaller bags for walks and outdoor activities. With the Find My app on my Apple devices, I can track all these items and their last registered locations.
Clip an AirTag onto a bag or bury it in the depths.
AirTags not only help you locate items from afar but also prevent losing them locally. If you forget something like your camera bag in a car, a Find My notification will alert you that you’ve left it behind. This feature also works with the newer AirPods models.
Sharing AirTags for Collaborative Tracking
One of the newer AirTag features is the ability to share their location with trusted individuals, a significant upgrade especially for families. My wife and I each have a car with an AirTag; without sharing, I would receive alerts whenever I drove her car. With sharing enabled, regardless of which car I drive, we can both easily locate it in a crowded parking lot.
Share an AirTag’s location with someone you trust.
Another useful feature introduced with iOS 18.2 allows for temporary sharing of an AirTag’s location. If your suitcase got stuck in the airport and you needed it retrieved quickly, sharing its location with an attendant can save time.
Battery Life and Maintenance
One aspect to consider with AirTags is their battery life, powered by CR2032 coin cells that typically last around a year. I get notified when a battery is low, but there’s no specific battery level display until it’s low. Nevertheless, changing batteries is a simple process. Given the number of AirTags I use, I buy them in packs of 20.