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AirTag

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This article is about the Apple tracking device. For the mobile shopping and payments provider, see AirTag (company).

AirTag
An Apple AirTag
DeveloperApple
ManufacturerFoxconn
TypeKey finder
Release dateAnnounced on April 20, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-04-20)
AvailabilityAvailable since April 30, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-04-30)
ConnectivityBluetooth LE, UWB, NFC
PowerCR2032 button cell
Current firmware2.0.73 (2A73)
Online servicesFind My network
DimensionsDiameter: 31.9 mm (1.26 in)
Thickness: 8 mm (0.31 in)
Mass11 g (0.39 oz)
Websiteapple.com/airtag

AirTag is a tracking device developed by Apple.[1] AirTag is designed to act as a key finder, which helps people find personal objects such as keys, bags, apparel, small electronic devices and vehicles. To locate lost items, AirTags use Apple's crowdsourced Find My network, estimated in early 2021 to consist of approximately one billion devices worldwide that detect and anonymously report emitted Bluetooth signals.[2] AirTags are compatible with any iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch device capable of running iOS/iPadOS 14.5 or later, including iPhone 6S or later (including iPhone SE 1, 2 and 3). Using the built-in U1 chip on iPhone 11 or later (except iPhone SE models), users can more precisely locate items using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. AirTag was announced on April 20, 2021,[3][4] made available for pre-order on April 23, and released on April 30.

History

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The product was rumored to be under development in April 2019.[5] In February 2020, it was reported that Asahi Kasei was prepared to supply Apple with tens of millions of ultra-wideband (UWB) parts for the rumored AirTag in the second and third quarters of 2020, though the shipment was ultimately delayed.[6] On April 2, 2020, a YouTube video on Apple Support[7] page also confirmed AirTag.[8] In Apple's iOS 14.0 release, code was discovered that described the reusable and removable battery that would be used in the AirTag.[9][10] In March 2021, Macworld stated that iOS 14.5 beta's Find My user interface included "Items" and "Accessories" features meant for AirTag support for a user's "backpack, luggage, headphones" and other objects.[11] AppleInsider noted that the beta included safety warnings for "unauthorized AirTags" persistently in a user's vicinity.[12]

In May 2024, Bloomberg reported that Apple was preparing a new version of the AirTag, codenamed B589.[13][14]

Features

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AirTag set up on iOS

AirTags can be interacted with using the Find My app. Users may trigger the AirTag to play a sound from the app. iPhones equipped with the U1 chip can use "Precision Tracking" to provide direction to and precise distance from an AirTag. Precision Tracking utilizes ultra-wideband.[15]

AirTags are not satellite navigation devices. AirTags are located on a map within the Find My app by utilizing Bluetooth signals from other anonymous iOS and iPadOS devices out in the world. To help prevent unwanted tracking, an iOS/iPadOS device will alert their owner if someone else's AirTag seems to be with them, instead of with the AirTag's owner, for too long.[16] If an AirTag is out of range of any Apple device for more than 8 to 24 hours,[17] it will begin to beep to alert a person that an AirTag may have been placed in their possessions.[18]

Users can mark an AirTag as lost and provide a phone number and a message. Any iPhone user can see this phone number and message with the "Identify Found Item" feature within the Find My app, which utilizes near-field communication (NFC) technology. Additionally, Android and Windows 10 Mobile phones with NFC can identify an AirTag with a tap, which will redirect to a website containing the message and phone number.[15][19]

AirTag requires an Apple ID and iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later.[20] It uses the CR2032 button cell, replaceable with one year of battery life (though some batteries with child-resistant bitterants cannot be used due to the design of the AirTag battery terminal).[21] The maximum range of Bluetooth tracking is estimated to be around 100 meters. The water-resistance of an AirTag is rated IP67 water and dust; an AirTag can withstand 30 minutes of water immersion in standard laboratory conditions. Each Apple ID is limited to 32 AirTags.[9]

Firmware version history

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Apple does not provide a way for users to force an AirTag to carry out a firmware update.[22] Firmware updates may happen automatically whenever an AirTag is in Bluetooth range of the paired iPhone (running iOS 14.5 or later) and both devices have sufficient battery.[23]

Previous release Current release
Version Build Deployment Limit Release Date Release Notes[23]
1.0.225 Initial version at launch[24]
1.0.276 1A276d[25] 2% June 3, 2021 Modifies the time period before an AirTag will play a sound after being separated from its owner. Originally three days, the update shortens the period to a randomized window ranging from eight to 24 hours.[26]
1A287a[27] 10% June 12, 2021
1A287b[28] 100% June 22, 2021
1.0.291 1A291a[29] 1% August 26, 2021 Unknown
1A291c[30] 10% August 31, 2021
1A291e[31] 25% September 7, 2021
1A291f[32] 100% September 14, 2021
1.0.301 1A301[33] 1% April 26, 2022 Tuning the unwanted tracking sound to more easily locate an unknown AirTag.
10% May 3, 2022
25% May 9, 2022
100% May 13, 2022
2.0.24 2A24e[34] 1% November 10, 2022
  • Enables Precision Finding to help locate an unknown AirTag detected moving with a person.
  • If the iPhone is awake, a notification alerts the user when an AirTag that's separated from its owner is traveling with the user and emitting a sound to indicate it has been moved.
10% November 17, 2022
25% November 24, 2022
100%[a] December 1, 2022
2.0.36 2A36[35] 25% December 12, 2022 Resolves an issue with the accelerometer not activating in certain scenarios.
100% December 16, 2022
2.0.61 2A61[36] 1% October 31, 2023 Bug fixes and other improvements.
10% November 7, 2023
25% November 14, 2023
100% November 28, 2023
2.0.73 2A73[37] 1% March 19, 2024 No declared release notes.[38]
10% March 26, 2024
25% April 2, 2024
100% April 9, 2024
  1. ^ Apple pulled the update before full deployment.[35]

Applications

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Tracking checked luggage

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AirTags have become extremely popular among travelers to track checked luggage on flights and empower them when luggage is lost by carriers.[39][40][41][42] In response, Lufthansa stated that AirTags were not permissible in luggage checked with the carrier.[43][44][45][46] The carrier backtracked after a risk assessment by German risk authorities following widespread criticism and accusations that it was seeking to avoid accountability.[47][48] The Federal Aviation Administration has ruled that storing AirTags in checked luggage is permitted and not a safety hazard despite containing batteries.[49]

Theft prevention and recovery

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AirTags have been used to track stolen property and assist police in recovering them for return to their rightful owners.[50] In February 2023, a North Carolina family discovered that their car had been stolen. In coordination with local police, they utilized an AirTag placed in the vehicle to locate the car and were able to recover their property.[51] Police were reportedly elated at the ease at which they were able to arrest the criminals and recover the property thanks to the AirTags.[52]

Criticism

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See also: Criticism of Apple Inc.

Use by stalkers

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Despite Apple's inclusion of technologies to help prevent unwanted tracking or stalking, The Washington Post found that it was "frighteningly easy" to bypass the systems put in place. It has been described as "a gift to stalkers".[53] Concerns included the built-in audible alarm taking three days to sound (since reduced to 8–24 hours[54]), and the fact that most Americans had Android devices that would not receive alerts about nearby AirTags that iPhone devices receive.[55] AirTags cannot have most of their components replaced correctly, but it has been found that AirTags with their speakers forcibly removed from the rest of the components were being used to track people. The AirTag cannot detect this change, making it harder for people to find out that an AirTag had been stalking them.[56] AirTags with their speakers removed have been found for sale on sites like eBay and Etsy.[57] In January 2022, BBC News spoke to six women who stated that they found unregistered AirTags inside things such as cars and bags.[58]

In late 2021, Apple released an app called Tracker Detect on the Google Play Store to help users of Android 9 or later to discover unknown AirTags near them in a "lost" state and potentially being used for malicious tracking purposes.[59][60] However, the app does not run in the background.[61]

In February 2022, Apple added a warning for users setting up their AirTag, notifying them that using the device to track people is illegal and the device is only meant for tracking personal belongings.[62] It will take 8–24 hours for an AirTag to chirp if it has been separated from its owner.[54]

Tracking cars

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The National Post in Canada reported that AirTags were placed on vehicles at shopping malls and parking lots without the drivers' knowledge, in order to track them to their homes, where the vehicles would be stolen.[63] In response, Apple announced just before WWDC 2021 that it had begun rolling out updates that would allow anyone with an NFC-capable phone to tap an unwanted AirTag for instructions on how to disable it, and that they had decreased the delay time for the audible alert that sounds after the AirTag is separated from its owner from three days to a random time between 8 and 24 hours.[64]

Susceptibility to hacking

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Users who set their AirTags to lost mode are prompted to provide a contact phone number for finders to call. In September 2021, security researcher Brian Krebs, citing fellow security researcher Bobby Rauch,[65] reported that the phone number field will actually accept any type of input, including arbitrary computer code, opening up the potential use of AirTags as Trojan horse devices.[66]

Similarity to Tile

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Similar product manufacturer Tile criticized Apple for using similar technologies and designs to Tile's trackers.[16] Spokespeople for Tile made a testimony to the United States Congress saying that Apple was supporting "anti-competitive practices",[67] claiming that Apple had done this in the past, and that they think it is "entirely appropriate for Congress to take a closer look at Apple's business practices".[68]

Difficulty attaching

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AirTags do not have holes or other mechanical features that would allow them to be positively attached or affixed to the item being tracked; solutions include adhesives (glue, tape) and purpose-built accessories. The polyurethane AirTag Loop is the least expensive solution sold by Apple; it costs the same as a single AirTag and has been criticized as an "accessory tax".[69]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Apple introduces AirTag".
  2. ^ Chan, Christine (April 20, 2021). "Apple AirTags vs. Tile Mate: Which should you buy?". iMore. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  3. ^ "Apple event: AirTag, iPad and iMac lead line-up". BBC News. April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Perez, Sarah; Heater, Brian (April 20, 2021). "Apple officially unveils its lost item finder, AirTag". TechCrunch.
  5. ^ Rambo, Guilherme (April 17, 2019). "Apple revamping Find My Friends & Find My iPhone in unified app, developing Tile-like personal item tracking". 9to5Mac. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  6. ^ Haslam, Oliver (February 19, 2020). "Apple To Ramp Up UWB Chip Production For AirTags in Q2-Q3 2020". Redmond Pie.
  7. ^ "Exclusive: AirTags confirmed in a new Apple Support Video!". Appleosophy. April 2, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  8. ^ "Apple accidentally confirms the existence of an unreleased product, AirTags". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Lovejoy, Ben (January 12, 2024). "AirTag limit increased to 32 – though AirPods may count as three of 'em". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Lumb, D.; Swider, M. (November 2, 2020), "Apple AirTags release date, price and how it'll compare to Tile", TechRadar, retrieved November 2, 2020
  11. ^ "Apple AirTags rumors: iOS 14.5 can track 'Items' in the Find My app", MacWorld, March 3, 2021
  12. ^ Gallagher, William (March 4, 2021), "Apple brings back 'AirTags' anti-stalking feature in latest iOS 14.5 beta", AppleInsider
  13. ^ Mark Gurman (May 19, 2024). "Apple Needs to Evolve to Compete in the Artificial Intelligence Era".
  14. ^ Pritchard, Tom (May 20, 2024). "Apple AirTag 2 could finally arrive in mid-2025 — what we know so far". Tom's Guide.
  15. ^ a b Panzarino, Matthew (April 22, 2021). "First findings with Apple's new AirTag location devices". TechCrunch.
  16. ^ a b Haselton, Todd (April 27, 2021). "Here's how Apple's AirTag trackers compare to Tile, and why the company is so upset with Apple". CNBC. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  17. ^ Clark, Mitchell (June 3, 2021). "Apple is updating AirTags to make them less creepy". The Verge. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  18. ^ Gruber, John (April 20, 2021). "Three day audible alert when tag separated from owner". Daring Fireball. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  19. ^ Hollington, Jesse (June 20, 2021). "It Turns Out You Can Scan an Apple AirTag with an Old Windows Phone". iDrop News.
  20. ^ Hicks, Michael (May 3, 2021). "How to use AirTags with iOS 14.5". TechRadar. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  21. ^ Holland, Patrick (July 29, 2021). "Apple cautions that AirTag batteries with a bitter coating might not work". CNet. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  22. ^ Clover, Juli (April 29, 2022). "How to Check Your AirTags Firmware Version". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "What's new in firmware updates for AirTag". Apple Support. Apple Inc. November 13, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  24. ^ Miller, Chance (June 3, 2021). "Apple rolling out new AirTag software update; here's how to see if yours has updated". 9to5Mac. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  25. ^ Clover, Juli (June 3, 2021). "Apple Enhancing AirTags Anti-Stalking Measures With Android App and Shorter Sound Intervals". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  26. ^ Sherr, Ian (June 7, 2021). "Ahead of WWDC, Apple bolsters AirTags privacy measures, says it's developing Android detector app". CNET. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  27. ^ Perris, Aaron (April 5, 2022). "Durian Firmware 1.0.276". AppleDB. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Clover, Juli (June 23, 2021). "Apple Releases Revised AirTag Firmware Update". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  29. ^ Clover, Juli (August 26, 2021). "Apple Releases New Firmware for AirTags". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  30. ^ Clover, Juli (August 31, 2021). "Apple Releases Revised Version of Latest AirTags Firmware Update". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  31. ^ Clover, Juli (September 7, 2021). "Apple Releases Another Revised Version of AirTags Firmware Update". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  32. ^ Clover, Juli (September 15, 2021). "Apple Makes Latest AirTags Firmware Available to All Users". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  33. ^ Clover, Juli (April 26, 2022). "Apple Releases Firmware Update for AirTags". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  34. ^ Clover, Juli (November 10, 2022). "Apple Releases Firmware Update for AirTags". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Clover, Juli (December 12, 2022). "Apple Releases AirTags Firmware Update". MacRumors. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
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  37. ^ "Apple Releases AirTag Firmware Update 2.0.73". iClarified. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  38. ^ "What’s new in firmware updates for AirTag". Apple Support. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  39. ^ Collins, Katie. "Apple's AirTags for Your Checked Bags Are a Travel Essential". CNET. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
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  41. ^ "Apple AirTags Are the Best Luggage Trackers". Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World. December 7, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  42. ^ Cann, Geraden (January 1, 2023). "The rules you need to know before putting a tracker or AirTag on your luggage". Stuff. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  43. ^ Victor, Daniel (October 11, 2022). "Lufthansa Says Passengers Can't Use Apple AirTags to Track Checked Bags". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  44. ^ "Lufthansa says it's banning flyers from using Apple AirTags to track baggage | Venture". dailyhive.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  45. ^ Beschizza, Rob (October 8, 2022). "Lufthansa "bans AirTags in luggage" after passengers publicly shame it with location of lost bags". Boing Boing. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  46. ^ Hussain, Imran (October 13, 2022). "Lufthansa airline bans AirTags after passengers shame it for lost luggage [U: ban lifted]". Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  47. ^ Schlappig, Ben (October 7, 2022). "Lufthansa Bans AirTags: Will Other Airlines Follow?". One Mile at a Time. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  48. ^ "Lufthansa backtracks on AirTag ban". Macworld. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  49. ^ Krol, Jacob (March 8, 2022). "Why AirTags are the ultimate travel companion this spring break". CNN Underscored. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  50. ^ "Perspective | I found my stolen Honda Civic using a Bluetooth tracker. It's the latest controversial weapon against theft". Washington Post. October 27, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  51. ^ Rumpf, Sarah (February 10, 2023). "North Carolina family outsmart car thieves with Apple AirTag". Fox News. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  52. ^ "$29 AirTag helps Cary family, police locate stolen car within minutes". WRAL.com. February 6, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  53. ^ "'I didn't want it anywhere near me': how the Apple AirTag became a gift to stalkers". The Guardian. September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  54. ^ a b Kelly, Samantha Murphy (February 10, 2022). "Apple plans AirTag updates to curb unwanted tracking". CNN News. p. 1. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  55. ^ Fowler, Geoffrey A (May 5, 2021). "Review – Apple's AirTag trackers made it frighteningly easy to 'stalk' me in a test". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  56. ^ "'Silent AirTags' With Speakers Removed Pop Up on Etsy, eBay". PCMAG. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  57. ^ "'Silent AirTags' With Speakers Off Are Sold Online To Stalk People: Here's How". India Times. February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  58. ^ "Apple AirTags – 'A perfect tool for stalking'". BBC News. January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  59. ^ "Apple launches Android app to address AirTags tracker fears". BBC News. December 14, 2021.
  60. ^ "Apple releases Tracker Detect app to help Android users to find nearby AirTags". Gadget Lite. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  61. ^ "New Apple Update Targets AirTag Tracking Concerns". Wall Street Journal. February 10, 2022.
  62. ^ Milmo, Dan (February 10, 2022). "Apple to start warning AirTag users not to use devices to track people". The Guardian. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  63. ^ Kulha, Shari (December 10, 2021). "Here's what to do if you find an AirTag placed in your vehicle by a car thief". The National Post. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  64. ^ Sherr, Ian (June 7, 2021). "Ahead of WWDC, Apple bolsters AirTags privacy measures, says it's developing Android detector app". CNET.
  65. ^ Krebs, Brian. "Apple AirTag Bug Enables 'Good Samaritan' Attack". KrebsOnSecurity.com. The vulnerability was discovered and reported to Apple by Bobby Rauch, a security consultant and penetration tester based in Boston. Rauch told KrebsOnSecurity the AirTag weakness makes the devices cheap and possibly very effective physical trojan horses.
  66. ^ Krebs, Brian. "Apple AirTag Bug Enables 'Good Samaritan' Attack". Krebs on Security. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  67. ^ "Tile bemoans Apple AirTags launch, raises antitrust concerns". AppleInsider. April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  68. ^ "Tile bashes Apple's new AirTag as unfair competition". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  69. ^ "Apple's AirTags don't have a built-in keychain loop, and we have some thoughts". The Verge. April 21, 2021.
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