Why AirTags are a game-changer: Learn how I use them to keep track of my dog and more

If you love your puppy as much as I love my 52-pound “Mini” Sheepadoodle, Lucy, you’d want to track their every movement to make sure they’re safe with one of Amazon’s bestselling products: Apple AirTags.

What is an AirTag?

Although Apple is no longer reinventing the wheel with innovative inventions, it is still creating impeccably well-designed products that are user-friendly and have a simplistic interface and design. The AirTags remain a primary example.

An AirTag is a compact coin-shaped tracker that helps track lost items by displaying their location.

You can use it to find personal items, like keys, bags, wallets, or pets, like my Lucy, using the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It requires an Apple device, but its plug-and-play nature makes it simple for even the least tech-savvy user to figure out.

How do AirTags work?

An AirTag works through Bluetooth and the Find My app, which syncs it to the vast, global Find My network. If something — or someone, like my Lucy — goes missing and is out of range of my Bluetooth, the AirTag will broadcast signals to devices within the network.

These ‘finder devices,’ as they’re frequently called, are completely anonymous and can alert me to Lucy’s location on my iCloud. And if you have an iPhone 11 or newer version, the AirTag’s U1 chip will use Precision Finding, which uses sensors to guide you to a nearby device.

It will guide you to a general area, but if you want it to be exact, “Precise Location” needs to be manually toggled on in your iPhone settings. But you can choose location access from the following categories:

• Never
• Ask Next Time Or When I Share
• While Using the App
• While Using the App or Widgets

Apple

Thanks to social media and news outlets showcasing its uses, the AirTag has been a popular item since it hit the market in 2021.

Apple AirTag 4 Pack

Amazon

A best-seller on Amazon, Apple AirTag has completely changed how I keep tabs on Lucy during the day. With an extra-long battery life, it can last an entire year without needing a battery replacement. A built-in speaker that works with Siri provides extra help finding whatever you’ve lost in the clutter. Best of all, it can be set up with a single tap.

Along with pets, an AirTag can be used to track everyday items, including luggage, so you never need to ask yourself, “Where’s my stuff?”

If you’re worried someone may slip one into your purse to track you, it should be noted that the device will eventually emit a loud ping to let you know it’s there, so it can never be secretly tracking your whereabouts. I know this firsthand because Lucy’s AirTag will ping me on occasion to let me know it’s following me around the park.

One of the most budget-friendly Apple products by far, they’re often on sale at Amazon, and I recommend buying a four-pack if you have multiple things you’d like to keep track of.

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My Apple AirTag Review

My husband purchased the AirTag for me as a birthday present. At first, I was disappointed to receive this as a gift. It felt like an errand item, but when he explained how it worked and the reasons he bought it to calm my nerves about losing my precious dog, I quickly grew attached to it.

He purchased a holder to attach it to Lucy’s harness, and ever since we set it up in the Find My app, it’s been an unexpected joy to follow her adventures when I’m not home.

It also helps me keep track of her when she’s off-leash and disappears faster than I can run after her. Plus, it comes in handy when I suspect that the “walk” she’s supposed to be on with her dog walker might actually be more of a 45-minute sitting break. I see it happen with neighbors’ dogs, so I am more wary these days.

How to set up an AirTag?

Setting it up is so easy. You bring the AirTag close to your iPhone, tap “Connect,” and name it whatever you like. Mine is titled “Lucy.” The AirTag works by sending out a secure Bluetooth signal that nearby Apple devices detect and relay to your Find My app.

That means even if Lucy runs off-leash and I need to find her ASAP, this will help me track the direction she went. The technology is impressive, especially compared to older locator options.

Are AirTags waterproof?

For anyone wondering whether AirTags are waterproof, the answer is yes, technically.

Would I submerge it in a pool? No, but they’re water- and dust-resistant with an IP67 rating, which means they can handle rain, mud, and the occasional dip in a puddle. Lucy has certainly tested that for me more times than I’d like to admit, and it keeps on ticking.

AirTag Battery Life

Each AirTag runs on a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that lasts about a year before needing to be replaced. When the time comes, it’s simple to change the battery. Just press and twist the back cover, pop in a new one, and you’re good to go.

Although I haven’t done it yet (I’ve only had one for 7 months), it looks really simple, and Post Wanted’s Angela Tricarico, who also owns an AirTag, assures me that the process is intuitive. “I thought it was going to be a lot harder to change the battery because of its shape, but it was really easy to pop the top off and change it, as well as know that it was successful because it pings and shows up on your phone.”

Final Verdict: Is the Apple AirTag worth it?

The Apple AirTag is 100% worth it in my experience. It’s become one of those small but essential tools I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. The peace of mind it gives me when Lucy’s off-leash or when I’m trying to locate my missing keys is worth every penny.

How I Tested

Emma Sutton-Williams

I’ve been using my Apple AirTag for over seven months on Lucy’s dog collar and, soon, in my carry-on bag.

I’ve tracked Lucy in parks, on walks, and when I leave her behind on vacations, even from my office. I can confidently say it has helped me track her when I need to meet up with my husband on a walk outside, and it has helped me feel more at peace. If you’re considering one, know it’s one of the best investments you’ll make this year.

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Emma Sutton-Williams, New York Post Commerce Reporter. Proud dog mom to a Mini Sheepadoodle named Lucy, Emma routinely tests top-rated pet products with her pup to find the best recommendations for fellow pet owners. In search of the best dog food brands, leashes, harnesses and more, Emma taps veterinarians and experts like Cesar Millan, better known as the “Dog Whisperer,” for pet health advice, FAQs and training secrets. In addition to her work at the Post, Emma’s byline has appeared in Rolling Stone, Oprah Daily, Parents, InStyle, StyleCaster and more. 

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