topic Re: Apple Air Tag in Community Chat

Apple Air Tag

I am still oxox — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:35:31 GMT

Just bought one for the vehicle, we live in a safe area but you never know

Re: Apple Air Tag

JoyFilled Warrior — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:39:56 GMT

What do these do?

I've seen these on sale often on Amz. And some how, I got the idea that it traces whatever you apply it to. If so, I wondered about applying it to one's own Cell Phone? or Car Keys? or purse? Or where you parked your car when exiting a store?

... Or, on/in someone elses car? (*wink* like a cheating b/f heh)

or a teen driver?

Re: Apple Air Tag

Skyegirl21 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:42:05 GMT

My friend got Doggy Air Tag for her dog, so she can track him if he gets out! Awesome way to use technology !

Re: Apple Air Tag

jackthebear — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:57:33 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior wrote:
Hi @I am still oxox
What do these do?

I've seen these on sale often on Amz.    And some how, I got the idea that it traces whatever you apply it to. If so, I wondered about applying it to one's own Cell Phone? or Car Keys? or purse? Or where you parked your car when exiting a store?
...    Or, on/in someone elses car? (*wink* like a cheating b/f heh)
            or a teen driver?

just google search for how to use an air tag

Re: Apple Air Tag

Tori3569 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:13:47 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
Just bought one for the vehicle, we live in a safe area but you never know

This sounds like a good idea, but there are a lot of limitations to it. Apple AirTags work through blue tooth, not gps, so it takes longer to transmit if it's not near other Apple devices. It has to "find" another Apple device every 100' or so. If the person who takes the car (or luggage or whatever) has an Apple device, they will get an alert that there's an air tag nearby.

I hate to be the spoiler but someone I'm close to found all of this out the hard way with an expensive bike.

Re: Apple Air Tag

Stray — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:26:36 GMT

I found them useless for travel. You can attach them to anything but the poster above noted the limitations

Re: Apple Air Tag

KLm — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:48:05 GMT

I attached one to an umbrella so I wouldn't leave it behind in a store or office or restaurant. The battery supposedly is good for a year, but mine has lasted longer.

Re: Apple Air Tag

I am still oxox — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:06:45 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
Just bought one for the vehicle, we live in a safe area but you never know

This sounds like a good idea, but there are a lot of limitations to it. Apple AirTags work through blue tooth, not gps, so it takes longer to transmit if it's not near other Apple devices. It has to "find" another Apple device every 100' or so. If the person who takes the car (or luggage or whatever) has an Apple device, they will get an alert that there's an air tag nearby.

I hate to be the spoiler but someone I'm close to found all of this out the hard way with an expensive bike.

@Tori3569 And then they will not steal the item

Re: Apple Air Tag

bmorechick — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:43:49 GMT

@I am still oxox If a thief is intent on stealing a car, an AirTag isn't going to stop them. They will simply remove it.

Re: Apple Air Tag

spumoni99 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:56:49 GMT

@bmorechick wrote:
@I am still oxox If a thief is intent on stealing a car, an AirTag isn't going to stop them. They will simply remove it.

@bmorechick Exactly! A gps tracker or one of those locks on the steering wheel would be much better...or even better parking in the garage.

Re: Apple Air Tag

Tori3569 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 04:33:54 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
@Tori3569 wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
Just bought one for the vehicle, we live in a safe area but you never know

This sounds like a good idea, but there are a lot of limitations to it. Apple AirTags work through blue tooth, not gps, so it takes longer to transmit if it's not near other Apple devices. It has to "find" another Apple device every 100' or so. If the person who takes the car (or luggage or whatever) has an Apple device, they will get an alert that there's an air tag nearby.

I hate to be the spoiler but someone I'm close to found all of this out the hard way with an expensive bike.
@Tori3569 And then they will not steal the item

I'm not sure what you mean. The air tag was not a deterrent at all. The bike was taken and the tracking was useless because it was not in real time. Also we assumed the thief quickly realized the air tag was on the bike and took it off because they got a notification on their phone.

My friend was trying to track it for a few hours and eventually gave up. The tracking isn't in real time and stopped altogether after about 10 minutes. He kept trying though. Luckily for him it was a very expensive bike because he takes part in races and he had insurance on it. Even so, it was a false sense of security.

With a car, it would be even harder to track because of the speed. It has to find another Apple device to connect to every 100 feet. At any kind of normal car speed it won't even have time to connect to the Bluetooth.

Re: Apple Air Tag

JoyFilled Warrior — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 05:29:09 GMT

Hi @I am still oxox If what you are concerned about is the stealing of yr car, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend "the Club." (see below) It's made of very thick metal, & the hooks (on each end) attach to, & lock on to your steering wheel so it cant turn the steering wheel.

And when I got used to it, I can apply it to, or remove it from the steering wheel in less than 2 seconds, literally.

EVERY car I've ever had has been stolen, until I started using "the Club." And even then, all they did was bash in a car window, (covered by Insurance) and thats as far as they got.

Good luck!

(added) -- BTW, I always parked in safe areas.

In the last case, with the Club, (only bashed in the car window), it was an area, heavily patrolled by Police! Ya just cant tell even when simply 1 thief makes their move.

(And dont forget to have a "Coach/Police whistle" + "Pepper spray" in ya hand, when approaching the car!)

heh

Re: Apple Air Tag

I am still oxox — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:00:25 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior wrote:
Hi @I am still oxox     If what you are concerned about is the stealing of yr car, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend "the Club." (see below) It's made of very thick metal, & the hooks (on each end) attach to, & lock on to your steering wheel so it cant turn the steering wheel.

And when I got used to it, I can apply it to, or remove it from the steering wheel in less than 2 seconds, literally.

EVERY car I've ever had has been stolen, until I started using "the Club." And even then, all they did was bash in a car window, (covered by Insurance) and thats as far as they got.

Good luck!


(added) -- BTW, I always parked in safe areas.
In the last case, with the Club, (only bashed in the car window), it was an area, heavily patrolled by Police! Ya just cant tell even when simply 1 thief makes their move.
(And dont forget to have a "Coach/Police whistle" + "Pepper spray" in ya hand, when approaching the car!)

                      heh

@JoyFilled Warrior Thank you I live in a very safe area, and air tag will show that the car has been moved and theives wiill not know where to find it. The Club is very out dated

Re: Apple Air Tag

JoyFilled Warrior — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:22:59 GMT

@I am still oxox Gotcha!

Re: Apple Air Tag

haddon9 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:39:43 GMT

I purchased one last summer for travel and found it a bit frustrating to use. I had hoped it would work if the airline lost my luggage (it happened to DH many years ago and I dread it happening to me).

Anyway I set it up and it seemed to constantly tell me in the airport that my luggage was nearby. However when we arrived at our destination I couldn't get it to connect.

Thank goodness my luggage was fine!

I might try it again...that's if I can find it.

Re: Apple Air Tag

CelticCrafter — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:14:00 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
Just bought one for the vehicle, we live in a safe area but you never know

This sounds like a good idea, but there are a lot of limitations to it. Apple AirTags work through blue tooth, not gps, so it takes longer to transmit if it's not near other Apple devices. It has to "find" another Apple device every 100' or so. If the person who takes the car (or luggage or whatever) has an Apple device, they will get an alert that there's an air tag nearby.

I hate to be the spoiler but someone I'm close to found all of this out the hard way with an expensive bike.

I guess people that put them in their kids shoes, backpack, pinned to the waistband on their pants don't happen to know any of this.

Re: Apple Air Tag

Stray — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:10:01 GMT

I try to travel United Airlines out of Newark. But, on the UA app, you get updates on your baggage in real time. It tells you when your baggage is loaded on the plane which gives me comfort. There is also a service where your bags can be delivered directly to your hotel or place of residence; I’ve used it & loved it.

When I used my Apple air tags first time, I looked to see where my bags were & it told me they were last at the Newark airport which caused me concern the whole flight. I couldn’t connect to the WiFi on the plane so they were no help & more trouble than they’re worth. I’m sure United isn’t the only airline that tracks bags so I’d check. It’s a great service.

Re: Apple Air Tag

Tori3569 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:53:01 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@Tori3569 wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
Just bought one for the vehicle, we live in a safe area but you never know

This sounds like a good idea, but there are a lot of limitations to it. Apple AirTags work through blue tooth, not gps, so it takes longer to transmit if it's not near other Apple devices. It has to "find" another Apple device every 100' or so. If the person who takes the car (or luggage or whatever) has an Apple device, they will get an alert that there's an air tag nearby.

I hate to be the spoiler but someone I'm close to found all of this out the hard way with an expensive bike.
I guess people that put them in their kids shoes, backpack, pinned to the waistband on their pants don't happen to know any of this.

Those uses are completely different than a moving car. As a matter of fact, that's what they're made for. I have one on my house keys .
If the item / pet / child stays in a relatively small area, they are very useful. There is less area to cover and something that stays stationary for a least a few minutes can pick up an Apple device Bluetooth quickly and the tracking will be more timely and accurate.
Not sure if that was an actual question or an attempt at snark, but the answer remains.

Re: Apple Air Tag

SactoSue — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:34:28 GMT

I have several of these:

1. On my key ring. Do you have any idea how often I have to use this to find my keys? A lifesaver.

2. I have my passport, passport card, and SS card in a small bag with an AirTag in it. That way I can always find these items when I need them.

3. I have one hidden in my car.

4. I have one in every piece of luggage that I use on a trip.

5. I have one in my purse.

Every day I seem to find more and more uses for them.

Re: Apple Air Tag

Another new name Sue — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:03:19 GMT

I have a bad habit of absentmindedly, putting my keys down around the house, so I have one on my car keys