How far Does an Apple AirTag Reach? As of April of 2021, Apple launched one of its most popular tracking devices “the AirTag”. Although there are tons of other portable trackers available on the market, features like the IP67 water resistance and ultra-wideband connectivity make it stand out from other trackers on the market. Right on that, the AirTag would connect seamlessly with iPhones.
In other to pair them, you would have to take out the battery tab on the device and then hold it close to your iPhone. Within a few seconds, you should see a dialogue box right on your iPhone’s screen: tap on connect, select a name, and you are good to go. Doing this register the device to your Apple ID and start showing up right on the “Find my” App.
How far Does an Apple AirTag Reach?
By the size of the AirTag, you get to attach one of the keys, slip it right into your handbag, hide one in your wallet, or put it right on your travel bag, and with that, there is a personal radar on anything that you choose.
The main question here now is that “How Far Can an AirTag Reach? That is a question that would pop up. Apple does not offer an explanation of the maximum tracking range of an AirTag, but there are connectivity options available on the AirTag. The device has been equipped with Bluetooth for proximity finding, it is an in-house U1 chipset that accesses ultra-wideband for proximity finding, in-house U1 chipset that accesses ultra-wideband for precision finding, and NFFC that would help you with interacting with iPhones.
Bluetooth Range of Air Tags
In other to have an AirTag setup, you would need to enable Bluetooth on your iPhone, meaning that the tracking devices rely mainly on Bluetooth connectivity, at least when in proximity. This basically means that the AirTag needs to be within 33 feet or 10 meters, mainly because that is the maximum Bluetooth range of an iPhone.
However, you should have it at the back of your mind that Bluetooth connectivity works based on certain factors, like walls between the devices. Nevertheless, with a clear line of sight, iPhone’s Bluetooth connection works quite well in the range mentioned above.
Generally, 33 feet or 10 meters is considered to be the range for class 2 Bluetooth chips, commonly used in Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, and even trackers. In other to summarize, you should track your AirTag making use of Bluetooth technology if it is 10 meters or closer, which should turn out to be enough for track items indoors.
For instance, if you have attached an AirTag to your car keys, your iPhone should be able to communicate with the AirTag by making use of Bluetooth. Then, if you have an iPhone 11 or later using a U! chip, also you would have precision Tracking that is available as the “Find Nearby” option right on the find my app.
What if the AirTag is Outside iPhone’s Bluetooth Range
If a tagged device is lost, and it is not in the Bluetooth range anymore, your AirTag would rely mainly on the ever-growing find my network of Apple devices. On January 28, 2022, there are over 1.8 billion apple devices available worldwide, and it would help you in communicating with each other and help you locate lost devices. Hence, if it is misplaced or stolen, you can make use of the Find my App to mark it as lost and hold on while another Apple device locates it.
Once an Apple device comes within the range of the AirTag’s Bluetooth, it would update the estimated location of the AirTag on the Find My network. Also, you can see this device’s location on the Find My App. Then you can head over to the location and then find your device making use of Bluetooth and precision finding. Hence, considering the global presence of the Find my Network, you can locate an Airtag even if they are on the other side of the world, as long as there are some other Apple devices close by.
Should You Use an AirTag or GPS Tracker?
Some of us users might want to wonder if an AirTag can be used in the place of a GPS tracker, but there are a few major differences between the two. Unlike an AirTag, a GPS tracker relies mainly on satellites to locate an object or person anywhere they are in the world, meaning that there is no range limit. Also, it does not depend on devices nearby to transmit its location either, seeing as it uses an inbuilt receiver to communicate directly with satellites.
GPS trackers can offer you live, precise updates of an object’s location via an app that is connected to it. However, they tend to be very expensive compared to AirTags. Also, they require a SIM card in order for them to be able to transmit real-time location to the user over a cellular network, usually through an app. This means that most of GPS trackers would require an extra monthly subscription over and above the cost of the tracker itself.
FAQ
What is Apple AirTag Used For?
AirTag is a Super easy way for you to maintain your stuff. Attach one to your keys. Place another in your backpack. And just like that, they would be on your radar in the Find My app, where you also get to track down your Apple devices and keep up with friends and family.
Can you Use AirTag to Track Someone?
AirTag, AirPods, and other Find My Network Accessories which include features to guard against unwanted tracking. They should not be used to track people, and should not be used to track property that is not your own.
How do I Stop AirTag from Tracking Me?
Right on the iOS 13, or iPadOS 14 or later head to the settings > Account Name > Find My > Find My iPhone/iPad, and Disable Find my Network.
