Can Multiple People Track An AirTag? [And How Many?]

Can multiple people track an AirTag? In this guide, we unveil the intriguing answer, revealing the potential for shared tracking, family collaborations, and a world where lost items are found with the power of community.

Can you share AirTag location with many people?

You can share the location of an Apple AirTag with multiple people. This feature allows you to collaborate and keep track of the same item with others. Here’s how to do it:

1. Sharing with Others: To share an AirTag’s location with multiple people, you need to use the “Share My Location” feature within the Find My app on your Apple device.
2. Control Access: When sharing an AirTag’s location, you have the flexibility to control the level of access others have. You can choose to allow them to see the location at all times or only when they ask for it. This helps you maintain privacy and control over who can track the AirTag.
3. Collaborative Tracking: Sharing an AirTag’s location is particularly useful for collaborative tracking of shared items like keys, a family pet’s collar, or a communal backpack. It ensures that multiple people can keep an eye on the same item, making it easier to locate when needed.

Can you link an AirTag to 2 phones?

Apple AirTags are primarily designed to be linked to a single Apple ID and used with one device at a time. This means that you can pair an AirTag with one iPhone, iPad, or other compatible Apple device (but you can’t pair it with an Android device).

However, you can share the location of the AirTag with multiple people using the “Share My Location” feature within the Find My app. This allows others to see the AirTag’s location on their own Apple devices without directly pairing the AirTag to their device

Can an AirTag be detected by another iPhone?

An Apple AirTag can be detected by another iPhone, even if it’s not your own iPhone. This is one of the key features of AirTags, known as the “Find My” network. Here’s how it works:

1. Crowdsourced Tracking: When an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range from your own iPhone, it can still be detected by other iPhones and Apple devices that are in close proximity. These devices can pick up the Bluetooth signal emitted by the AirTag.
2. Anonymously Relaying Information: When another iPhone detects an AirTag, it sends an encrypted and anonymous location signal to Apple’s servers. This happens in the background, and the person carrying the iPhone isn’t aware of it.
3. Location Updates: If you’ve marked your AirTag as lost in the Find My app, you will receive notifications of its location updates. This way, you can see where your AirTag is on a map and even receive directions to it, thanks to the contributions of other iPhone users in the vicinity.

This crowdsourced tracking capability greatly enhances the chances of locating a lost item equipped with an AirTag, as it relies on the collective power of the Find My network. It’s important to note that this feature respects user privacy by keeping all data anonymous and encrypted.

So, yes, another iPhone can detect and contribute to the tracking of an AirTag, making it a valuable tool for recovering lost items.

How often does AirTag update location?

Apple’s AirTags update their location periodically. The frequency of location updates depends on various factors, including the movement of the AirTag, its proximity to your paired Apple device, and whether it’s in Lost Mode.

Here are some key points regarding the update frequency:

1. When in Range: When an AirTag is within Bluetooth range of your paired Apple device (such as your iPhone), it can update its location more frequently, typically every few minutes. This allows for real-time or near-real-time tracking when the AirTag is nearby.
2. Out of Range: When an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range of your device, the frequency of location updates can vary. It relies on the Find My network, which consists of other Apple devices. The more Apple devices there are in the vicinity, the more frequent and accurate the updates can be. However, in areas with fewer Apple devices, the updates may be less frequent.
3. Lost Mode: If you mark your AirTag as lost in the Find My app, it goes into Lost Mode. In Lost Mode, the AirTag will send more frequent location updates, even when it’s out of Bluetooth range from your device. This is to help you locate the lost item more effectively.
4. Battery Considerations: Frequent location updates can impact the AirTag’s battery life. To preserve battery, AirTags adjust the update frequency based on their movement and situation.

How to Share AirTag and Find My Device with Family & Others

Here are the steps for sharing with others:

1. Open the “Find My” app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the “Items” tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the AirTag you want to share.d. Scroll down and tap on “Share My Location.”
4. You can then choose individuals from your contacts to share the AirTag’s location with. You can invite them through iMessage or other messaging apps, and they will receive a notification to accept the sharing request.
5. Once they accept, they will be able to see the AirTag’s location within their own Find My app.

What should you do if you discover you’re being tracked by an Apple AirTag?

Apple’s recent activation of AirTag sharing comes without a clear explanation, but it undeniably enhances the device’s capabilities. This new addition opens up exciting possibilities for users who possess just one AirTag. Now, individuals can generously loan their AirTag to family members, friends, or even colleagues who may not be utilizing their own, expanding the device’s usefulness. This newfound functionality unquestionably augments the overall value proposition of the AirTag, making it an even more versatile tracking solution.

Matt Trajkovski

I love all things tech, so I decided to make a blog about technology, electronics, gadgets, accessories, and all the various items we use every day that make our lives easier. I like doing a lot of research on various models and brands, looking for great value and performance, both through data and experience.