We have finally found Apple’s mythical AirTags

After almost two years of expectation, Apple has at last unleashed its semi-mythical Find My tracking devices, which it calls AirTag. These accessories are designed to be a private and secure way to find your …. Stuff.

AirTag unleashed

AirTag is a small accessory that helps you track and find your things using Apple’s Find My app.

They make use of the billion device strong Find My network Apple has been building for the last few years.

The idea is that you can find your stuff while keeping you and your location completely private. AirTag includes support for the accessibility features built into iOS. Precision Finding using VoiceOver, for example, can direct users who are blind or low-vision to AirTag with directions like “AirTag is 9 feet away on your left.”

What Apple said

“We’re excited to bring this incredible new capability to iPhone users with the introduction of AirTag, leveraging the vast Find My network, to help them keep track of and find the important items in their lives,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.

“With its design, unparalleled finding experience, and built-in privacy and security features, AirTag will provide customers with another way to leverage the power of the Apple ecosystem and enhance the versatility of iPhone.”

What about the design?

Each IP67 water- and dust-resistant AirTag is small and lightweight with precision-etched polished stainless steel. They carry a built-in speaker which plays sounds to help locate AirTag.

How to set up an AirTag

AirTags are designed to be as easy to setup as AirPods — just bring AirTag close to iPhone and it will connect. Users can assign AirTag to an item and name it with a default like “Keys” or “Jacket,” or provide a custom name of their choosing.

How it works

Once AirTag is set up, it will appear in the new Items tab in the Find My app, where users can view the item’s current or last known location on a map. If a user misplaces their item and it is within Bluetooth range, they can use the Find My app to play a sound from the AirTag to help locate it. Users can also ask Siri to find their item, and AirTag will play a sound if it is nearby.

Each AirTag is equipped with the Apple-designed U1 chip using Ultra Wideband technology, enabling Precision Finding for iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 users.

This advanced technology can more accurately determine the distance and direction to a lost AirTag when it is in range. As a user moves, Precision Finding fuses input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope, and then will guide them to AirTag using a combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback.

If AirTag is separated from its owner and out of Bluetooth range, the Find My network can help track it down. The Find My network is approaching a billion Apple devices and can detect Bluetooth signals from a lost AirTag and relay the location back to its owner, all in the background, anonymously and privately.

Lost mode

Users can also place AirTag into Lost Mode and be notified when it is in range or has been located by the vast Find My network.

What if you find a device with an AirTag?

If you find an AirTag, or a device or third party accessory protected by one, just tap it using your iPhone or any NFC-capable device and be taken to a website that will display a contact phone number for the owner, if they have provided one.

What is AirTag battery life? One year

A removable cover makes it easy for users to replace the battery. AirTag is designed for over a year’s worth of battery life with everyday use.

Making it personal

Customers can personalise AirTag with free engraving, including text and a selection of 31 emoji, when purchasing from Apple. You can put these things in third party and Apple accessories, such as loops and keyrings.

Privacy and Security

No location data or location history is physically stored inside AirTag. Communication with the Find My network is end-to-end encrypted so that only the owner of a device has access to its location data, and no one, including Apple, knows the identity or location of any device that helped find it.

No spies please

Apple designed a set of proactive features that discourage unwanted tracking. Bluetooth signal identifiers transmitted by AirTag rotate frequently to prevent unwanted location tracking.

iOS devices can also detect an AirTag that isn’t with its owner, and notify the user if an unknown AirTag is seen to be traveling with them from place to place over time.

An AirTag separated from its owner for an extended period of time will play a sound when moved to draw attention to it. If a user detects an unknown AirTag, they can tap it with their iPhone or NFC-capable device and instructions will guide them to disable the unknown AirTag.

AirTag and Hermès

Apple and Hermès are introducing AirTag Hermès, featuring an elegant assortment of handcrafted leather accessories including the Bag Charm, Key Ring, Travel Tag, and Luggage Tag. Hermès accessories will be sold with a custom-engraved AirTag based on the brand’s iconic Clou de Selle signature.

Environment

AirTag will utilise 100 percent recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board, is free of harmful substances and highly energy efficient, and uses wood fibre in the packaging that is recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests.

Pricing and Availability

• Customers can order AirTag beginning at 1pm BST on Friday, April 23.
• AirTag will be available in one and four packs for $29 and $99 beginning Friday, April 30.
• Apple-designed AirTag accessories include the Leather Key Ring in Saddle Brown, (PRODUCT)RED, and Baltic Blue for $35 (US); the Leather Loop in Saddle Brown and (PRODUCT)RED for $39 (US); and the Polyurethane Loop in White, Deep Navy, Sunflower, and Electric Orange for $29 (US).
• AirTag Hermès includes the premium Bag Charm and Key Ring in Fauve Barénia, Bleu Indigo, and Orange leather, as well as the Luggage Tag and Travel Tag⁶ in Fauve Barénia leather, all of which will be available beginning Friday, April 30.
• more information on opening hours, services available, and the health and safety measures in place.
• AirTag requires iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 14.5 or later, or iPad running iPadOS 14.5 or later.

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