EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLE'S TRACKING DEVICE
Macworld|June 2021
GET THE LOWDOWN ON APPLE’S OWN ITEM TRACKERS.
JASON CROSS
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLE'S TRACKING DEVICE

Apple recently opened up its Find My network (fave.co/ 2SkH187) to third-party device makers, but that’s not stopping the company from making its own item tracker. We’ve heard rumors about AirTag (fave.co/3tqAu8R) since around 2019, and the company has finally released them. They’re pretty simple, really: You add the AirTag to your account and attach the tag to some object, and then the Find My app will tell you where it is in the Items tab.

Since nearly all modern Apple products can passively (and privately) use their Bluetooth radios to locate lost devices, you’ll have a pretty good chance of locating something you accidentally leave somewhere. You can locate devices in real time, and also set a device to Lost Mode, which will notify you and display an optional phone number and message on the screen of whatever Apple got near enough to “find” it.

Here’s what you need to know about Apple’s own tracking devices.

AIRTAG COSTS $29 EACH

Little Bluetooth trackers are nothing new. Tile (fave.co/3eZ5Pdr) has been making them for years, and Apple has even announced that the Chipolo One Spot (fave.co/3b5Drpc), coming in June, will support the Find My network. If you want an item tracker, what you care about are things like size, durability, the scale of the network, and price.

This story is from the June 2021 edition of Macworld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2021 edition of Macworld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MACWORLDView All
Apple connects Podcasts app with Music, News+, and other subscriptions
Macworld

Apple connects Podcasts app with Music, News+, and other subscriptions

Subscriptions to eligible services automatically appear in the Podcasts app.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2023
How to insert fractions in Word and Pages
Macworld

How to insert fractions in Word and Pages

Microsoft and Apple try to help you put the numbers in the correct place and have it look good, too.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2023
Three overlooked Apple apps you should start using right now
Macworld

Three overlooked Apple apps you should start using right now

The company has spent a lot of time working on several of the core apps across its platforms, trying to ensure that they provide a great experience.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2023
RIP Lightning: In lieu of flowers, please send dongles
Macworld

RIP Lightning: In lieu of flowers, please send dongles

A eulogy for the little iPhone port that could.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2023
How to create and customize your Contact Poster in iOS 17
Macworld

How to create and customize your Contact Poster in iOS 17

It's an all-new way to express yourself to those you call or message.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2023
3 new Apple features I'd literally be lost without
Macworld

3 new Apple features I'd literally be lost without

iOS 17 and watchOS 10 get new features to help you find your way (and your remote).

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2023
LIMINK AL ALLOY PORTABLE TRIPLE MONITOR (LK14)
Macworld

LIMINK AL ALLOY PORTABLE TRIPLE MONITOR (LK14)

While it is easy to connect external displays to your MacBook for expanded desk-based screen space, you can't easily take this set up on the road with you or pack it neatly away in a drawer.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2023
Intel announces Thunderbolt 5 with double the bandwidth
Macworld

Intel announces Thunderbolt 5 with double the bandwidth

The new standard will likely be available on Macs in 2024 or 2025.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2023
Safari 17: Everything you need to know about the new features
Macworld

Safari 17: Everything you need to know about the new features

In Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey, Safari helps you be more productive and secure.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2023
How to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop
Macworld

How to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop

Widgets provide quick access to the information you need

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2023