My neighbor spent about 20 minutes at baggage claim, searching for his luggage. He realized he’d taken the wrong black suitcase. If only he’d had a tracker! That’s where Apple’s AirTag comes in handy.

So, whats an air tag? It’s a small, disc-shaped tracker Apple launched back in April 2021. It’s roughly the size of a large button. You can slip it into your bag or attach it to your keys, and then find those items using your iPhone later on. Sounds simple, right? But the execution has some drawbacks that I think many people overlook.

One AirTag costs $29, while a four-pack is $99. That’s a bit pricey for a small piece of plastic and a battery, so let’s break down what you actually get.

What an AirTag Is

Inside the disc, you’ll find a Bluetooth chip, an Ultra Wideband chip, and a CR2032 coin cell battery—pretty much it. Don’t be misled, though; there’s no GPS in there. Many people think it has GPS, which leads to unrealistic expectations. The AirTag doesn’t know where it is; your iPhone figures that out using signals from the AirTag and data from the Find My network.

The Ultra Wideband chip enables what Apple calls Precision Finding. When you’re within about ten meters of your AirTag, your iPhone gives you directional arrows and a distance readout, provided it supports UWB (which means you’ll need at least an iPhone 11). This feature worked well for me. You can genuinely sweep a room and feel your phone vibrate as you get closer. Outside that range, though, it just shows a dot on a rough map.

To set one up, you need iOS 14.5 or later. Android users can’t set up or track an AirTag, which can be a problem in households with mixed devices.

Tracking Network Basics

Apple’s AirTags use around 900 million active Apple devices to function. Every iPhone, iPad, and Mac that runs Find My listens for Bluetooth signals from nearby AirTags. When a device detects your AirTag, it reports the location back to you through Apple’s servers. The other device owner never knows this, and Apple says the location data is encrypted.

This setup works best in urban areas. I once saw a friend track his lost backpack through a subway system in under an hour because so many iPhones were around. In rural places, it’s trickier. If your AirTag gets lost in a field with no Apple devices nearby, it might take days to update your location. That’s not necessarily a flaw, just how the network is structured.

The AirTag also chimes when prompted via the app, which is handy for finding lost items around the house. But it’s not as helpful for locating luggage loaded on a different flight.

Real Limitations Before You Buy

The battery lasts about a year under normal conditions, and Apple rates it the same. Replacing the battery is simple since the back pops off easily, and you can find the CR2032 battery anywhere for under a dollar. That aspect is well thought out.

However, there’s the stalking issue to consider. Apple introduced anti-stalking features because some folks were misusing AirTags to track people without consent. If an unknown AirTag travels with you for some time, your iPhone will send you an alert. For Android users, there’s an app called “Tracker Detect,” but it doesn’t run in the background, making protection less effective. This has been a real concern, and Apple has updated alert timings since launch, though critics still point out gaps in the system.

A few more things worth noting before you buy:

• No subscription fee; the Find My network is free to use.
• You can share an AirTag’s location with just one other person.
• AirTags are water-resistant (IP67 rated), not waterproof.
• Attaching one to a pet won’t give you real-time GPS; updates happen only with nearby Apple devices.

This pet tracking limitation can frustrate many buyers. I mean, a dog can cover a lot of distance before another iPhone strolls by.

Who Should Buy One

So, whats an air tag good for? It shines with static or slow-moving items, especially in cities. Think keys, wallets, luggage, and tools that get borrowed often. If you’re an iPhone user living in a city, one AirTag on your keychain could be worth the $29. If you’re aiming to track a bike in real time, have an Android phone, or live in rural areas, better alternatives exist. Look into Tile or Samsung SmartTags. They may not have a network as large as Apple’s, but they cater better to non-Apple households.

I’d recommend trying out one AirTag before committing to a four-pack. The four-pack only makes sense once you see how it fits into your lifestyle.

FAQs

Can Android users track an AirTag?

Android users can’t set up or track an AirTag. They can use the Tracker Detect app to scan for nearby unwanted AirTags, but it won’t run automatically.

How long does an AirTag battery last?

The battery lasts about a year on a standard CR2032 coin cell. Replacement batteries are cheap, under a dollar, at most pharmacies or hardware stores.

Can someone use an AirTag to stalk you?

Yes, it’s possible. iPhone users receive alerts if an unknown AirTag is traveling with them; however, Android users must manually scan using the Tracker Detect app.