Picture this: You have arrived at your vacation destination and as you stand next to the baggage claim carousels waiting for your luggage to arrive, you wait and wait and wait. Until you finally have the realization that your luggage is nowhere to be found. Discover the tiny travel hack that outsmarts lost luggage with the ingenuity of Apple AirTags. As one who has had my luggage lost or “misplaced” a number of times, I am a huge fan of Apple AirTags.
Apple AirTags were introduced to the world on April 30, 2021 as one of the best travel accessories you shouldn’t leave home without. While some may question, “Are AirTags worth it?”, I can give a resounding “Yes!” These surprisingly small yet elegant accessories will help you to track your luggage, personal handbags, backpacks, purses, children, keys, pets, and valuables and allow you to travel with peace of mind.
What is an Apple AirTag?
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An Apple AirTag is a small disc—measuring just over an inch in diameter—that is used to track and locate an item that it has been attached to. Compared to a quarter that is 0.955 inches in diameter, an Apple AirTag is 1.26 inches. For ease of use, you would need to use an Apple AirTag with some type of Apple Airtag Holder to attach the tag to the items you wish to track.
Apple Airtag & Holder
How Do Apple AirTags Work?
Apple AirTags use a Bluetooth signal to broadcast its location to an iPhone, iPad, or Ipod once you set it up in Apple’s “Find My” App.
Apple AirTags
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect and exchange data without needing to be connected by a cable. It connect some of the best travel accessories and devices such as your smartphone, Apple pencil, headphones such as AirPods, speakers, and computers. With bluetooth, the devices can communicate and share information—audio, files, and tracking details. For example, when you use hands-free calling, you are using the magic of bluetooth!
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Pros and Cons: The Tiny Travel Hack That Outsmarts Lost Luggage
Benefits of Using AirTags
The versatility and benefits of using Apple AirTags allows you to not only track your luggage while traveling, but you can also place an Apple AirTag on a dog collar, a child’s belt loop, camera bag, car keys…the possibilities are endless.
1. You Can Track Luggage in Real-Time
When you use AirTags, you set up each tag in Apple’s Find My app. It’s easy to do. Touch the blue “+” to add a new device.
Open the app to see all “Items Shared with Me”. For example, I can see my backpack, my luggage, and my toiletries bag (you can give a unique name to each item). Monitor whether or not your bag makes it onto the plane when traveling or if it is delayed or misplaced.
Apple AirTags
2. Airlines Can Track Your Bag Using an AirTag
The list of airlines that use the magic of AirTag technology is growing; you can enjoy this convenience with United, Delta, Lufthansa, British Airways, American Airlines, Air Canada, and Qantas, among others. These airlines are increasing efficiency by integrating Apple’s “Share Item Location” feature.
How? United Airlines, as an example—the first airline to use this technology—can track your bag using internal electronic tag systems PLUS customer-enabled Apple AirTags. Check your bag’s status or location in the United app or the website once you have checked in. If your bag is lost in the boarding process from getting you and your luggage from here to there, opt-in to share the real-time location of an AirTag inside your luggage with the airline. This enables them to locate your baggage and reunite you faster thus outsmarting lost luggage.
Caution: Always check with your Airline to make sure trackers are permitted in hold baggage. Some airlines prohibit the use of luggage tracking devices powered by lithium batteries. While Apple AirTags are considered to have an acceptably small level of lithium, not all tracking devices are created equal.
3. Travel with Peace of Mind
On one occasion when I was traveling to Florida for a cruise, my toiletry back was lost in transit. Knowing that I would be leaving Florida and boarding a cruise that would make it difficult to reunite me with my bag, I worried about cruising without my makeup, medication, and other conveniences.
Chris and I checked for my AirTag and found that my bag was still in Denver. We notified the airline and hoped they would be able to get my bag to me before leaving port. Whew, they did.
Using AirTags means you can travel with peace of mind; no more guessing if your suitcase is stuck in Denver while you’re in Florida, Paris, or any other destination around the world—you’ll know exactly where your belongings are.
4. AirTags Make the Best Travel Accessories as They are Compact and Durable
AirTags are extremely convenient for their size. Plus, they are waterproof and have a relatively long battery life (about a year before replacement). Feel confident planning adventures where durability is a consideration.
5. Multi-Item Tracking is Possible
Attach AirTags to a variety of travel items—luggage, backpacks, camera gear, even strollers. You will need a separate AirTag for each one.
6. Keep Tabs on Your Kids
Travel + Leisure travel advisor, Susan Whitson, recommends using Apple AirTags for tracking checked luggage AND keeping tabs on your kids. As one who was prone to wandering off and getting lost as a child in the 70’s, my parents would have loved the AirTags technology for keeping track of me!
If you have ever planned an eventful day in Disneyland Paris, Los Angeles, or Florida or any other museum or adventure park, you know that crowds and nonstop fun can be exciting but also a bit distracting. Use AirTags to keep track of your kids.
7. Precision Finding
If your bag is nearby, open the “Find My” app on your iPhone and search for it using arrows and distance directions from the app to find the AirTag. A map will open. It’s kind of like playing the hot and cold game as a child!
If you need more help, click on the “Play Sound” and you will hear a sound from the tag’s built in speaker if it is nearby.
8. Family Sharing
If you travel with family or friends (who also have Apple accounts and devices), you can share tracking information with them. I share my tagged items with my husband and could also see my daughter’s luggage when she was all the way around the world in Australia.
9. Track One Item by Multiple People
If all of your family members wish to track a single item, you can share the tracking information with them.
10. AirTags Make a Noise When You Need to Change the Battery
Your Apple AirTag is equipped with a built-in speaker that plays a sound if the battery is low. If you happen to pick up or move your bag when the battery is low, you will also hear a sound. It sounds kind of like trickling water.
An alert will also be sent to your phone that says, “AirTag battery is low. Replace the battery soon on Jolayne’s Backpack” (or whatever you have named your AirTag).
11. Changing the Battery is Easy
The removable Apple AirTag cover makes it easy for you to replace the battery (another one of the benefits of using AirTags). Simply hold the bottom section in position while pressing your thumb or finger down on the silver portion with a little bit of pressure and rotate in a counter clockwise direction.
Replace with a CR2032 lithium 3V battery. When you insert the new battery, make sure that the “+” is facing up. The AirTag will make a sound once successfully updated.
TIP * Bring an extra battery or two in case they happen to need a change while you are traveling.
12. Setup is Easy
If you have ever had the opportunity to set up an Apple device, you know that the process can be pretty seamless. When you unwrap your shiny new AirTag, be sure to pull the disposable tab sticking out of it first in order to activate the device.
Much the same as with AirPods, just bring your Apple AirTag close to your iPhone and it will prompt a message on your screen asking if you want to pair the AirTag with your device ID. Follow the onscreen instructions for pairing and you’re done.
13. You Can Assign a Name to Your AirTag
Once you have connected your tag(s), easily identify each one and assign it a name.
14. Keep Track of Items You Tend to Lose
Add an AirTag to any item you wish to keep track of that you tend to misplace while you travel as well as at home, ie., keys, your kindle, iPad, or your favorite travel backpack. Not only can you travel with peace of mind, but you can have the reassurance everyday that you’ll be able to find your car keys!
15. Easily Enable and Disable Notifications
You will want to enable your notifications as you travel, but note that you may want to turn off this feature in certain situations. For example, if you are cruising, and your luggage is securely stored in your stateroom, you may not want to be notified that you are separated from your tracked items every time you leave the room.
Cons of Using Apple AirTags
Using the Apple AirTags do have some limitations such as requiring an Apple iPhone, relying on nearby Apple specific devices, and raising some privacy concerns. You may wonder, “Are AirTags worth it?”
16. You Will Need to Replace the Battery
I find that the battery needs to be changed, possibly more often than once a year. Perhaps that depends on how often you travel.
17. Apple Ecosystem Dependency
If you have ever used one Apple product, you recognize that creating full functionality between your phone, computer, and headphones requires an investment in more Apple products. You can go down the product rabbit hole rather quickly with needing supporting devices so they can easily talk to each other.
Android users CAN detect an AirTag, but only if it’s near them and they have downloaded the Tracker Detect app; Android devices cannot track an AirTag.
18. AirTag Tracking Relies on Nearby Devices
Because AirTags do not use GPS, they rely on nearby Apple devices to update a tag’s location. These tracking abilities may be limited in remote locations.
19. Privacy Concerns
Some worry about misuse with stalking and unwanted tracking that can lead to harassment and malicious intent. Alerts are in place to mitigate this, but it’s still a hot topic. Apple provides anti-stalking features that will alert you if an unwanted AirTag tracker is traveling with you or on your person.
“Apple devices (iPhone, iPad) are designed to detect unknown AirTags moving with you and send an alert: “AirTag Found Moving With You.” Other red flags include: A small chirping sound from an AirTag after it’s been separated from its owner.” ~ BitDefender
20. Limited Usefulness in Some Scenarios
Simply having an AirTag and knowing your luggage’s location does not guarantee your airline will retrieve it faster. Misplaced luggage is still misplaced.
21. Sporadic Updates
AirTags do not use GPS for tracking. You will not get live, moment-by-moment location updates. AirTags are reliant on nearby Apple devices to anonymously relay their location via Bluetooth to the Find My network. This means tracking a continuously moving object may result in sporadic location updates, not a constant stream of information.
22. Extra Cost
Single AirTags themselves are reasonably affordable; if you choose to have 2, 3, or 4 more tags as well as accessories such as silicon holders, keychains, and straps, the price can add up.
23. Take Care Around Children
Apple AirTags are small, shiny, and make an intriguing looking toy. They are small enough to pose a choking hazard for children, so be mindful.
Click “Take a Look!” below to discover more of the best travel accessories in addition to Apple AirTags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AirTags use lithium batteries?
Quick answer? Yes. However, the lithium in the batteries is such a small amount that they have are considered by the FAA to be safe to use on your checked luggage!
How does the tracking process work?
Consider this scenario: You drop your checked luggage off as you arrive at the airport. Your bag, as it is handled by an airport worker, flows as the iPhone in their pocket notices that you have an AirTag attached nearby; their iPhone sends the tags location automatically to iCloud. Find My detects it and seamlessly translates the location to the Find My map on your screen.
Is the process REALLY anonymous?
As an end-to-end encrypted and anonymous system, no one else sees your AirTag’s location unless you share it.
If my luggage is carry-on, do I still need a tracker?
Your luggage travels with you for the entirety of your trip. That means you may still be separated from it during the day as you explore your dream destination, leave it in a storage locker, get separated through security, or if you leave your luggage with the hotel before or after checking in or out. If you want complete peace of mind as you travel, it may be a good idea.
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Final Thoughts on Apple AirTags: The Tiny Travel Hack That Outsmarts Lost Luggage
There is not doubt in my mind that Apple AirTags are worth it, but have I convinced you about the benefits of using AirTags? This tiny travel hack that outsmarts lost luggage can be a travel game changer.
My husband, Chris, is the travel techy in our family and was quick to try out Apple AirTags when they were first introduced. Now, our whole family travels with them all of the time. They are definitely one of the best travel accessories that I can recommend.
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Such a great breakdown of why AirTags have become a must-have! I’ve had my luggage go missing a few times too, so I know the stress all too well. These tiny trackers make such a huge difference — real-time updates, peace of mind, and no more guessing where your bag ended up. This post is a great reminder to never travel without them!
I’ve never heard of this! Thank you for such a detailed article!
Once I first put Apple AirTags in my luggage, I never took them out. I am happy they have replaceable batteries – although I do wish they would last longer! The first thing I do when I get to the baggage area is confirm my bags made it to the same airport.
This is such a smart and practical tip — thank you for sharing! I especially appreciate how you highlight using Apple AirTags in your luggage, so you can actually see where your bag is in the Find My app. That tiny disc really becomes a travel lifesaver when baggage goes missing. It’s a lovely mix of simple tech but big peace of mind.
You’ve convinced me that I should add airtags to my christmas list! I have one that I use in my large luggage, but I think I should get ones for my wallet and backpack too incase of theft.
Love the idea of using an AirTag when I travel, especially in my checked bag. Although I didn’t know that now United can track your bag too! That will definitely come in handy for many people who lose their luggage.
I’ve always contemplated getting apple airtags as a backup plan for lost luggage. Thanks for this guide!
I’ve been using my AirTags for years, and the only downside I can think of is that the batteries don’t actually last long at all and they don’t have a rechargeable apple airtag option. I’d love to see that someday! We do have a local electronics recycling center, but I still hate using batteries for anything.
Thankfully, I’ve only had to track down my suitecase one time after it went missing and my airtag lead me right to it!