Can You Track AirTag Miles Away? (Get Your Query Solved)

  • 5 mins read
Updated on August 23, 2023

If you use Apple devices regularly, then you must be familiar with the term, “AirTags” and many of you may remain confused about their usage, or even if you know the purpose of their utility, you may be stuck on how to process them.

Can you track AirTag miles away?

In simple terms, these devices help you detect your vital belongings if they get lost. To know how, simply read this write-up and explore how far can an AirTag track, whether you can track AirTag miles away, how to find AirTag on iPhones, and much more related to AirTags. So let’s begin without any delays. 

What Are AirTags?

find my AirTag

Released in April 2021 by Apple, AirTag is a mini round device that you can attach to any of your belongings, say, bags, wallets, or keys so that you can locate them easily whenever you misplace them.

Resembling small coin-shaped devices, Apple AirTags are generally attached to luggage, backpacks, and most often to keys. These microdevices comply with all Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad running iOS 14.5 or above versions, and iPadOS 14.5 or later. 

Apart from the Apple devices, you must also have an Apple ID and an iCloud account to operate this Internet of Things. 

Significant Characteristics: Let’s take a look at some AirTags’ significant features to understand the Internet of Things in a better way:

  • They run specifically on Bluetooth technology while communicating with Apple devices available in the “Find My network”.
  • To track these devices, you can use the “Find My app” on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • You can also play sound using its built-in speaker whenever you need to locate it.
  • For the purpose of precision, this device also uses ultra-wideband technology (UWB).

Can You Track AirTag Miles Away?

Yes, you can track the location of these appliances from miles away, as long as it remains within the Bluetooth range of any Apple device.

It’s quite surprising to know that the tool is easily discoverable even when it lies hundreds of miles away from you, as all it requires is someone with an iPhone to cross its way.

In simple terms, as long as the gadget remains within the network range of any Apple device, there is no difficulty while locating it. However, always remember that this technology varies depending on the geological conditions.

What’s the Way to Get the Lost Apple AirTag?

If you’re wondering how to find an AirTag after it gets lost, then refer to the following points and you will get to know how to discover your lost device.

  • You can use the “Find My app” to get back your lost AirTag. Through the map feature, you can get details about the recent location of your device.

The map will detect its live location if it seems to be present within the Bluetooth range of an Apple device.

  • Alternatively, you can also choose to “play sound” on your AirTag to check if someone is using this tool or any other kind of item tracker to track your location. It will keep you ahead regarding the security concern.

Apple has also revealed that any user can play a sound on the AirTag or any other compatible item tracker if it lies nearby to the user’s Apple device for a minimum of 20 minutes.

The above explanation leads to one of the most significant points that Apple AirTag can be tracked only if the “Bluetooth feature of an Apple device” can catch its network range.

Thus, I highly advise you to be extremely cautious while using these tools and detecting their locations, and not distorting others’ privacy. 

How Can You Set Up an Air Tag?

If you are an amateur who has just started using Apple AirTags recently, it may seem complex to incorporate it into your vital items and connect with your iPhone. 

However, there is still nothing to worry about as I have mentioned in the step-by-step guide below about how can you set up an AirTag, refer to it cautiously: 

  • Hold the AirTag to the closest possible contact with either your iPhone or iPad.
  • A set of instructions will pop up on your screen. Do as they state to set up the gadget.
  • Now, it’s time to give a name to your AirTag. Once you name it, add an emoji also to help you identify it easily.
  • Finally, attach the AirTag to any of your possessions you want to.

Now, after having set up your AirTag, use the “Find My” app to help you locate the instrument whenever you misplace it. Using this app, you can discover the live location of your AirTag on a map.

Furthermore, you will receive the required directions also to get help in this regard.

Note: AirTag is designed in such a way that it helps you track your own belongings only. Hence, you should never use it to detect the location of other people or others’ belongings without their prior consent. 
So, it’s better that you use it to locate your own belongings when you are unable to find them.
However, if you want to track your valuable belongings from miles away, only nearby available Apple devices can help in such a situation. Herein, without a single doubt, Bluetooth and UWB technology come to your aid. 

Track Your AirTag Using Nearby Available iPhones

If you are doubtful about how to find AirTag on iPhones, then let me tell you that you can always track your AirTag as soon as it comes into the Bluetooth network of nearby iPhones.

This hack seems to be most useful when the device loses the connection with your iPhone’s Bluetooth range. The best part is that if it happens to be discoverable by someone else’s iPhone, then still there is nothing to worry about.

The device of another user will automatically relay the location details of your gadget to your iCloud account so that you can access the AirTag’s live location on a map.

How Does UWB Technology Help Detect Your AirTag?

Whenever your AirTag stays too far from any Apple device, then consider using Ultra-Widened (UWB) technology to detect the live location of your lost device. 

Using the UWB technology which is built into the latest Apple models helps you locate it easily even when it is not discoverable by any of the Apple devices, sounds interesting?

Therefore, never feel hopeless if you have already marked your AirTag as lost. And even if you have marked, any other Apple device incorporated with the UWB technology will help detect the present location of your AirTag.

Note: Remember that whenever you find that someone else is traveling with your AirTag, who is probably not the real owner, to alert such persons, AirTag will play a sound automatically. However, this tends to work only till the device is charged. 
Thus, it sheds light on one of the significant features of “AirTag’s location tracking feature” which is maintaining the privacy of both the real owner and any other person who may come into contact with these instruments.

Merits and Demerits of an AirTag

Before you jump into the final verdict, just go through the merits and then demerits of an Apple AirTag you can experience while using it: 

Merits

  • You can detect your belongings from far away through nearby Apple devices
  • To track more precise details of the location, UWB technology has proved to be the real savior.
  • Since it follows privacy and security measures, it always notifies the real owner and others also regarding the presence of AirTag.

Demerits

  • To get the AirTag function properly, as prerequisites, you need an Apple ID and iCloud account.
  • Despite the maintenance of privacy functions, there is still a chance of loss of security in the digitized world.
  • You must have newer versions of iPhones inbuilt with UXB technology to reap the best results.

FAQs

By now, I am sure that you are pretty aware of the answers to the most frequently asked questions such as “How to find my AirTag?” “How far can AirTags track?” and, “Can you track AirTag miles away?” But even if you aren’t here are some more for you: 

Ans: No, you don’t have to charge them, but you need to replace their battery after fixed intervals of period.

Ans: No, you don’t need the internet to operate them, as they solely communicate via their Bluetooth feature with any nearby devices.

Ans: Since the gadget is directly linked to the Apple ID of the owner, only the owner can track its location. However, they may voluntarily share the location of their devices with their trusted circle.

Sources
About Author:
Divya Sharma
Computer and Software Expert
I am a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Shyama Prasad Mukherji College (University of Delhi) dedicated to sharing tips and…
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