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Tracking devices: They’re not just for government agents anymore!
I don’t lose things very often, but when I do, they’re pretty decisively lost. Even before we were all stuck at home, I never left the house much, so in theory, there were only so many places I could lose something. But nine times out of ten, if an object was misplaced, it was gone forever. Perhaps if I just started tying AirTags to all of my worldly possessions, this wouldn’t be as much of a problem.
Apple’s newly-released AirTag trackers, valid concerns about privacy and stalking aside, are surprisingly handy little doodads. They’re compact, sturdy, and easy to keep track of with an iPhone (only with an iPhone, though, but some users have called on Apple to work with Google on Android support for safety reasons). If you’ve recently obtained an AirTag, here’s how to set it up and pair it with your iPhone.
First, go ahead and open up the Find My app on your iPhone. It should be preinstalled, though if it’s not on your home screen, you might have to traipse through your app list a bit. The app does have a bit of a set up process of its own, but it’s not that complicated.
Keep track of and find your stuff with AirTag. 🔎
To more easily tell items apart in Find My, you can give them unique names. Here's how. pic.twitter.com/AH0yb2FnVM
— Apple Support (@AppleSupport) May 3, 2021
When the Find My app is ready to go, you’ll need to pair it with your AirTag. AirTags constantly emit a Bluetooth signal that any compatible device can pick up, so all you have to do to pair one to your phone is hold it near your phone and it should pick up the vibes automatically. Once your phone picks it up, give it a name you can easily recognize, then register the Tag to your Apple ID.
With the pairing process complete, the AirTag (as well as anything you attach it to) will show up in the Find My app’s list of paired devices. You can now use the app to track the general location of the AirTag no matter where it is. Remember, if you lose track of your AirTag, you can also use the app to report it missing or remotely wipe its data.
