Tech

Apple AirTags Are Coming To Help You Find Your Wallet (& Keys)

Here’s how the doodads work.

by Kaitlyn Wylde
Apple AirTags clipped onto bag.
Apple

On April 26, Apple introduced AirTag, a new accessory that attaches to your stuff, so you don’t have to turn your house upside down looking for your wallet or keys anymore.

AirTags connects to Apple’s Find My app, using the pre-existing the location tracking function. With a selection of sounds, alerts, and even visuals, it helps you find exactly where you left your purse.

Apple

Apple
If you lose the AirTag entirely — say, if you leave your wallet at a bar — you can put it on Lost Mode, and you’ll get a notification when it’s in range, or if the Find My app is able to locate it.

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Per Apple, all of the communication between the Find My app, the AirTag, and your devices is encrypted. So Apple, the company, will never know where your devices are, or what you’re looking for; all that info stays on your devices.

You can get a single tag for $29, or a pack of four for $99. The devices will become available on April 30.

Apple

AirTag batteries last over a year before needing to be replaced, are water resistant, and can be used alone or paired with Apple accessories, like loops and key rings. You can also get a free custom engraving to personalize your tags.

Apple

“Wait, doesn’t this exist already?” you may be asking. Tile, a $39.99 product that came out in 2012, works similarly, but you don’t have to grant permissions or download extra apps to use AirTags. Just stick it near your phone, and your devices will be prompted to pair.

Apple

AirTags also use ultra wide band signals, which means you get a much more specific location of your devices. All you have to do is hold your phone up and you’ll see an arrow pointing towards your lost item.

Apple

AirTag has some advanced privacy controls, too. If someone else’s AirTag is near you for too long, you’ll be alerted. This feature can help you to return an item someone left at your house, or notice if someone is in your personal space for too long.

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To use AirTag, you’ll need an iPhone or iPod touch that’s running on iOS 14.5 or later, or iPad running iPadOS 14.5 or later.

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