Most people use Apple AirTags to find misplaced keys, keep tabs on their luggage, or locate a bag they often leave behind. These little trackers can do quite a bit more, from helping you find everyday belongings to providing an extra layer of reassurance when you’re out and about.
Here are 10 useful ways to put an AirTag to work.
Keep Track of Your Wallet
Losing your wallet can turn an ordinary day into a stressful one, especially if it contains your driver’s license, ID, bank cards, or other important documents. Slip an AirTag into a wallet or purse, and you can use Apple’s Find My app to check its location when it goes missing.
Camping Companion
An AirTag tucked into your camping gear can help you find your campsite if you lose your bearings after a hike. It relies on nearby Apple devices to update its location, though, so it may not be much help in a remote area with little or no network activity.
Find Your Keys
Keys have a habit of disappearing right when you’re ready to leave the house. Attach an AirTag to your keychain, and you can use your iPhone to locate them instead of turning the house upside down.
Anti-Theft Bike Tracker
Having a bike stolen is frustrating, especially if you use it for commuting or getting around town. An AirTag hidden in a discreet spot on your bike may help you locate it if it goes missing, but it isn’t a substitute for a proper bike lock or dedicated GPS tracker.
Track Your Small Kids
Crowded places like amusement parks, shopping centers, and festivals can make it harder to keep an eye on young children. An AirTag in a child’s backpack or coat may offer another way to check its location, but it should never replace adult supervision or a dedicated child-safety device.
Track Your Pets
A curious dog or outdoor cat can wander farther than expected, leaving you searching the neighborhood or yard. Attaching an AirTag to a pet collar can help you find where your pet was last detected, though it isn’t a live GPS tracker and may not provide updates in areas with few nearby Apple devices.
Find Your Parked Car
We’ve all walked through a parking lot trying to remember which row we left the car in. Keeping an AirTag in your vehicle can help you locate it through Find My, though it won’t provide the same live tracking or theft protection as a dedicated car security system.
Location Tracking for People with Dementia
Someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia may sometimes leave a familiar place and have trouble finding their way back. An AirTag carried in a bag or attached to a personal item may help family members check its last known location, but it should be used with the person’s knowledge and alongside a proper safety plan.
Related: 16 Surprising Uses for Dryer Sheets Most People Never Think About
Luggage Locator
Few things are more frustrating than arriving at your destination only to find that your suitcase hasn’t arrived with you. Place an AirTag inside your checked luggage, and you can check its location through Find My if the bag is delayed or sent to the wrong airport.
A Big Move
Moving companies handle plenty of boxes, furniture, and household belongings, so it can be hard to know where everything is during a move. Placing AirTags in a few important boxes or inside your moving supplies may help you check their last reported locations, though AirTags don’t provide continuous, real-time tracking of the moving truck.
