What Are the AirTags’ Range?

Apple introduced the AirTags as a method to keep track of objects. These devices use wireless connections that allow you to know if they’ve left your surroundings. At the size of a large coin, you can place it anywhere.

If you’re wondering what the AirTags’ range is and more, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll learn all there is about these handy tracking devices. We’ll also answer some questions regarding the AirTags.

What Are the AirTags’ Range?

Apple hasn’t officially released the exact range for the AirTags, but since they connect to iPhones and even Android phones via Bluetooth, we can say the range is around 30 feet or ten meters for those using the metric system. If your items go beyond the 30-foot range, the AirTags will start making noise.

Depending on actual conditions, the range can vary. In some areas, you can detect the AirTag even beyond 30 feet. When this happens, the area is usually very open and there aren’t many obstacles obstructing the signal.

At other times, you’ll find that you can barely detect it even if it’s only 20 feet away. Walls and large objects can disrupt the Bluetooth or NFC signal, which is why the response isn’t perfect.

Other sources state that since Bluetooth 5.0 has a range of 800 feet or 240 meters, you can track your AirTag within that range. However, this remains to be seen as no one has tested this yet.

How Long Does the AirTags’ Battery Last?

Each Apple AirTag is powered by a replaceable CR2032 battery. As the AirTags only transmit their location to a device, they can stay powered for a long time. They tend to last for about a year before you need to replace the battery.

This includes daily use. Apple bases “daily use” on using the tracker to make the AirTags emit sound four times a day and using the Precision Finding feature once a day.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell how much battery the AirTags have left. You do get a notification for low battery remaining on your phone, but beyond that, you have no way of telling. As such, you should replace the batteries before the year ends.

AirTag Features

AirTags are loaded with advanced features. Apple intends for them to be a practical and inconspicuous tracker. You can forget about it until the battery is about to run out.

General Features

You can let the AirTags get wet since they have an IP67 rating. Accidentally spilling liquids or even letting them fall into shallow water for a moment shouldn’t disable them.

Should your AirTag be out of range, you can set it to Lost Mode. When the AirTag is near another Bluetooth device, it will connect and communicate with it. This process is anonymous and the device’s owner will not know about it.

The AirTag can also emit beeps when they’re within the device’s Bluetooth range. The Find My app allows you to detect them and induce beeping. This makes it easy to locate keys that fell into the sofa or other small objects.

Siri can also help find your objects. All you need to do is to ask her. She’ll cause the AirTags to start beeping.

Tracking AirTags With Precision Tracking

If you own an iPhone 11 or 12, you can use the Precision Tracking feature. This uses Ultra-Wideband technology to track your AirTags precisely. It uses augmented reality, sound, and haptic feedback to help you locate your objects.

Sadly, only iPhone 11s and 12s can take advantage of the Precision Tracking feature, due to the built-in U1 chip. The U1 chip works in tandem with your iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope to detect the AirTags.

When Precision Tracking is on, an arrow will appear onscreen on the Find My app. It’ll direct you to where your AirTag is.

Lost mode can allow others who find your AirTag to contact you. Before that can happen, you must set the AirTag up beforehand. This will allow the tracker to save your Apple ID and allow others to reach you.

Cosmetics

On a different note, Apple offers customization for your AirTags. You can choose from some emojis and engrave up to four letters on the surface. However, you can’t engrave certain emoji strings and letters, especially if they have profane meanings.

No curse words and graphic representations are allowed at all due to Apple’s content filtering. Otherwise, you’re free to add a variety of clean words and emojis.

Your AirTags are also compatible with official holders and some third-party accessories. There are some third-party holders available from Belkin or other makers.

As time passes, we can undoubtedly find more third-party accessories that allow you to mount AirTags on many objects. Perhaps you can use them on your dog collars.

AirTag Privacy & Security

One of the AirTags’ selling points is its privacy and security features. They’re designed to keep your information safe. Even those who aren’t the AirTags’ owners have their privacy considered.

As mentioned earlier, AirTags can use the many iPhones around the world to send signals to your iPhone. Other Apple devices are capable of detecting and sending you information about your lost AirTag. This is done by pairing it with your iPhone.

After pairing, the AirTag will save your Apple ID within its memory so you can find it using the Find My app.

While you might worry about the possibility of information leaks by using other iPhones, you can rest assured; the process is end-to-end encrypted so no one else can find out where the AirTag is. Not even Apple can help you track your AirTag down, and neither are the iPhones in the crowd any wiser.

The AirTags also emit unique Bluetooth identifiers to differentiate from each other. These identifiers are randomized and switch frequently throughout the day. They’re also never reused.

You won’t know anything about the identifying iPhone either. All you’ll know is that someone was near your AirTag, but beyond that, nothing will identify them.

Pairing Lock ensures that the AirTags will belong to you alone. Other users can’t pair them with their own devices and use them as their own.

Each AirTag has its own serial number, and yet no one can use it to track you down. Only when you turn Lost Mode on can a person be directed to methods of contacting you. Any person with an NFC-equipped device can find a URL prompt allowing them to notify you if they’ve found your belongings.

Anti-Stalking Technology

While AirTags are great for tracking your objects, stalkers slip it on your person. This might sound scary, but Apple anticipated this. The AirTags come equipped with anti-stalking technology to keep you safe.

First, if someone purposely or accidentally puts an AirTag on your person, your iPhone will notify you. The catch is that your iPhone has to be iOS 14.5 and higher for this to work.

The AirTag has to not be paired with an iPhone belonging to you or someone nearby. This will prevent passersby’s AirTags from being registered as an unknown AirTag. Often, if you return home and the stalker’s AirTag is still on you, you’ll get the notification.

What happens if your stalker knows you don’t own an Apple device? Don’t worry, Apple also thought about this eventuality.

If the AirTag has been separated from its parent iPhone for too long, it starts beeping. Currently, this time is set at three days.

Should you find a strange AirTag on your person or items, you can use your device’s NFC feature to scan it and disable it? You’ll be directed to a website with instructions showing you how to stop it from tracking you. Simply remove the battery and you should be safe.

Since using NFC technology allows you to contact whoever “lost” the AirTag, you can surrender it to the police. The Apple ID on the AirTag will allow law enforcement to track the owner down.

Additional FAQs

How Do I Change the AirTag’s Battery?

These are the steps for changing your AirTag’s battery:

1. Make sure the stainless steel side is facing you.

2. Press down on the stainless steel backing.

3. While doing so, rotate the cover counter-clockwise.

4. Pull the two halves apart.

5. Replace the old battery with a new one, the + sign facing you.

6. You’ll hear a beep when the AirTag resets.

7. Replace and align the cover.

8. Rotate clockwise until it stops.

Your AirTag should be at full power now. If not, you either have a drained battery or the AirTag is malfunctioning.

Can I Pair My AirTags With an Android?

No, you can’t. While you can use an Android device to detect one and find its owner, you can’t pair it with an Android phone. Since the Find My app isn’t on the Google Play Store, Android phones will not be able to pair with AirTags.

Where Did My Keys Go?

Now that you know what the AirTags’ range is, you can locate your objects easily. If you have an iPhone with a U1 chip, you can use Precision Tracking and make things easier. Even better, these little trackers are designed with privacy and safety in mind.

Do you like using AirTags to keep track of your belongings? Have you tried using Precision Tracking? Let us know in the comments section below.