Apple AirTag is a small, button-sized tracker that you can attach to your personal belongings like a keychain, backpack, or bike and then track using the Find My app on your iPhone.
However, the question that arises is, how far can you track your AirTag?
The range and distance of AirTag are essential factors to consider when locating your lost or stolen items.
In this article, we will explore the range and distance of AirTag and answer the question of how far you can track it.
What Is The Range Of An Apple AirTag?
There is no range restriction on an Apple AirTag. One can track the AirTag from anywhere in the world, as long as it is within the Bluetooth range of anyone’s Apple device, which is part of Find My network. The AirTag should be within 33 meters of the closest Apple Device.
When an AirTag is within the Bluetooth range (approximately 33 meters or 100 feet) of any compatible Apple device, it can communicate and send its location data to that device.
The device then relays this information to Apple’s secure Find My network, allowing the AirTag’s owner to track its location through the Find My app on their iOS device or through iCloud on a web browser.
This global tracking capability ensures that your valuable items equipped with an Apple AirTag are traceable and locatable as long as they are in the proximity of an active Apple device connected to the Find My network.
This innovative feature has made the Apple AirTag an invaluable tool for keeping track of your belongings, regardless of where you or your items are.
Can you track an AirTag from miles away?
An AirTag can be tracked from miles away through the Find My network. When an AirTag is not within direct Bluetooth range of the owner’s Apple device, it can still be located using the Find My network.
Other Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, or Macs that come within range of the AirTag can anonymously relay their location to the owner through the Find My network.
This means that if someone else’s Apple device passes near your lost AirTag, its location data will be sent to you (the owner) without the person with the Apple device knowing it.
This extends the tracking range to a much wider area and enables users to potentially track their AirTag from miles away or on the other side of the world.
How Far Can You Track AirTag With Bluetooth Directly?
An Apple AirTag can be tracked with Bluetooth directly for a distance of approximately 100 feet or 33 meters.
This means that the AirTag needs to be within this range from your iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) for you to establish a direct Bluetooth connection and track its location.
If the AirTag is within this Bluetooth range, you can see its location on a map within the Find My app, and you can also use features like playing a sound on the AirTag to help locate it if it’s nearby.
How Accurate is AirTag Location?
The Apple AirTag’s location accuracy is typically within 20 to 30 feet when it is within Bluetooth range of a paired Apple device. This means that the Find My app can provide a reasonably precise location of the AirTag within this range on the map.
For even more precise location guidance, iPhone models with a U1 chip supporting Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology can leverage Precision Finding, which offers enhanced direction and distance indicators when you are in close proximity to the AirTag.
How Long Does The AirTag Battery Last?
The Apple AirTag is designed with user convenience in mind, offering a long-lasting battery life. It comes with a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery, which provides power to the device for an extended period.
Under typical usage, the AirTag’s battery can last up to a year before needing replacement.
Additionally, the AirTag is equipped with energy-saving mechanisms.
The device uses Bluetooth efficiently, activating communication only when necessary and entering low-power modes when idle.
This optimization ensures that the AirTag conserves its battery life, making it a reliable tracking companion without frequent battery replacements.
How To Find A Missing Item With AirTag
Finding a missing item with an Apple AirTag is a simple and effective.
First, open the “Find My” app on your iOS device, such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Ensure you are signed in with your Apple ID, as this is necessary to access the Find My network and track your AirTag.
Once you are in the Find My app, head to the “Items” tab located at the bottom of the screen.
This tab lists all your registered AirTags and other Find My-compatible devices.
Choose the AirTag associated with the missing item you want to locate.
The app will then show you the last known location of the AirTag on the map.
In the map view, you’ll see the approximate location of the AirTag. If the AirTag is within Bluetooth range (about 100 feet or 33 meters) of your device, the app will provide a general location with a circular radius on the map.
However, you can use Precision Finding if you have an iPhone model with a U1 chip supporting Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. As you move closer to the AirTag, your iPhone will guide you with more precise directions and distance indicators, making it easier to locate the AirTag, especially when it’s nearby.
If the AirTag is within Bluetooth range but you can’t see it, you can play a sound on the AirTag using the Find My app. This feature will help you identify its location by following the sound.
Even if the AirTag is far from your device and out of Bluetooth range, the Find My network comes into play.
If another Apple device with the Find My feature comes within range of your AirTag, it will relay its location anonymously to the Find My network.
As a result, you can see its location on the map, providing valuable information to retrieve your missing item.
How often does an AirTag update its location?
It depends on a few factors. An Apple AirTag updates its location periodically when it is within Bluetooth range of a paired Apple device (such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac).
The frequency of location updates can vary based on several factors, including movement and proximity to the paired device.
Typically, when an AirTag is in motion or changes its location significantly, it sends more frequent updates to the paired device.
On the other hand, if the AirTag remains stationary or moves very little, it may send updates less frequently to conserve battery life.
Suppose the AirTag goes out of Bluetooth range. In that case, it won’t be able to send updates until it comes back within range or is detected by another Apple device connected to the Find My network, which can then anonymously relay its location.
How AirTag Works?
The Apple AirTag is a smart tracking device designed to help users keep track of their belongings.
Upon setup, the AirTag is paired with the user’s Apple ID and connected to the Find My app on their iOS device.
It utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to establish a connection with nearby Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs, within its range.
This Bluetooth connection enables the AirTag to communicate its location data to the owner’s device.
However, what sets the AirTag apart is its utilization of the expansive Find My network, a crowd-sourced tracking system powered by millions of Apple devices worldwide.
When an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range from the owner’s device, it can still be located through the Find My network. Nearby Apple devices act as anonymous relays, picking up the AirTag’s Bluetooth signal and transmitting its location updates to Apple’s servers.
This cleverly extends the tracking range of the AirTag, potentially allowing it to be found from miles away as long as other Apple devices are present.
What’s Next?
The Apple AirTag is a great way to find lost or missing items.
However, it has its limitations, with distance being the most important.
As we learned from our research, the AirTag can reach up to 33 feet or 10 meters from any nearby Apple device.
This means that if you lose an item that has an AirTag attached to it, you must be within this range to locate it.
Additionally, the AirTag’s IP67 rating means that it can survive accidental exposure to water, making it a durable option for everyday use.
