Yes! With the iOS 17 update, you can now share an AirTag with up to five other people in addition to yourself. This means a total of six people with Apple IDs can track the AirTag’s location using the Find My app. It’s important to note that everyone has to be running iOS 17 or newer for this to work. If you’re on iOS 16 or older it won’t work.
What is An Airtag?
AirTags are designed by Apple as a tool to help users conveniently track the location of their personal items through the Find My app. Setting up an Airtag is a very quick and easy, user-friendly experience. In most cases you just hold it up to your phone and the setup process starts automatically. Typically, an AirTag is associated with a single user account but people were asking to be able to get information on them on multiple device so that became a part of the iOS 17 update.
Sharing AirTags Across Devices
The AirTag will still originally need to be paired to a single device. That device will essentially be the ‘owner’ of the AirTag. From there you have a few options to let other people connect to it:
Use Family Sharing
If you’re part of a Family Sharing group on Apple devices, all members of the group will be able to see the location of any AirTags paired with an Apple ID in the group. This is the easiest way to give multiple people access to an AirTag’s location.
Share Your AirTag with Others
Apple recently introduced a new feature with iOS 17 that allows you to directly share your AirTag with others. You can share your AirTag with up to five people, in addition to yourself. Each person will need to be using their own Apple ID and have iOS 17 installed to be able to track the shared AirTag.
Here’s how to share your AirTag:
- Open the Find My app.
- Go to the “Items” tab.
- Select the AirTag you want to share.
- Tap “Share This AirTag”.
- Enter the Apple ID of the person you want to share with.
- Follow the prompts on the screen.
Key Considerations
| Feature | Family Sharing | Sharing with Others |
|---|---|---|
| Number of People | Unlimited (within Family Sharing group) | Up to 6 |
| Apple ID Required | Yes | Yes |
| iOS Version Required | iOS 14.5 or later | iOS 17 or later |
Key Takeaways
- AirTags are used to track items via the Find My app within Apple’s ecosystem.
- They were traditonally set up to function with all devices under one Apple ID.
- With iOS 17 you can now share an AirTag with up to 5 other people
- Sharing an AirTag requires specific actions to connect it to phones of different users.
Setting Up an AirTag with Multiple Phones
When setting up an AirTag, it’s essential to understand its compatibility with your devices and how to connect it to multiple phones using the same Apple ID.
Understanding AirTag and Device Compatibility
AirTags can pair with Apple devices using Bluetooth and leverage Ultra-Wideband technology for precise location tracking. They require devices running at least iOS 17 and are compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Mac, linking through your iCloud account.
Pairing an AirTag to Your Apple ID
To begin the setup process, open the Find My app on an iPhone or iPad and follow the on-screen instructions to pair a new AirTag. This pairs the AirTag with your Apple ID, making it visible to all devices signed into that same account.
Using Family Sharing with AirTag
For shared use, enable Family Sharing in your device settings. By adding family members to your group, they can view and manage the AirTag in their Find My app, under the Items tab.
Connecting an AirTag to a Second Phone
To connect the AirTag to another iPhone, sign in to the Find My app on the second phone with the same Apple ID. The AirTag will automatically appear in the Items tab without additional pairing steps, as long as both devices have Bluetooth turned on and are connected to the internet.
Managing and Sharing AirTags
The ability to track items using Apple’s AirTag is enhanced by sharing access with family members or friends. This section explores the processes and considerations for sharing AirTag locations, maintaining privacy and security, and managing the resetting and unpairing of AirTags.
Sharing and Tracking AirTag Locations
AirTags connect to a single Apple ID, but they can be tracked on multiple devices within the Find My network. To share an AirTag with another person:
- Access the Find My app on the device that set up the AirTag.
- Tap on the Items tab and select the AirTag.
- Choose Share My Location and enter the Apple ID of the person you wish to share with.
By sharing with family members or friends, they can help locate the AirTagged item if necessary. However, each AirTag can only be paired with one Apple ID at a time, and users should be mindful of who has access to the location data.
Privacy and Security Considerations
When sharing an AirTag, consider privacy implications. The shared location data should be handled with care to prevent misuse. Apple has designed AirTags with features to deter unwanted tracking:
- If an AirTag separated from its owner is moving with someone else, it will make a sound after a while to alert them.
- If an iPhone detects an unassociated AirTag moving with it, the user will get an alert.
- If unwanted tracking is suspected, instructions in the Find My app explain how to disable the AirTag.
Sharing AirTags should be done with mutual trust, and it’s essential to be aware of these built-in security measures.
Resetting and Unpairing AirTags
Resetting or unpairing an AirTag is straightforward. This might be needed when passing it on to someone else or if it’s no longer required. Here’s how to reset an AirTag:
- Remove the AirTag from the Items tab in the Find My app.
- Physically reset the AirTag by pressing down on the battery cover and rotating counterclockwise to open it.
- Remove the battery, then replace it and press until a sound is heard.
- Repeat this process four times to reset the AirTag completely.
After reset, the AirTag can be set up as new on any device. Remember that unpairing erases all location data associated with the previous Apple ID, making it secure for the next user.
Frequently Asked Questions
When using AirTags, users often have questions about connecting and sharing them across multiple devices. This section answers common queries to ensure a smooth experience with AirTags.
How do I add an AirTag to a second phone?
To add an AirTag to another phone, open the ‘Find My’ app on the second device and go to ‘Devices’ or ‘Items’. Tap ‘Add Device’ or ‘Add Item’ and hold the AirTag close to the phone. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process.
Is it possible for two people to track the same AirTag simultaneously?
Yes, two people can track the same AirTag if they are both using devices signed into the same Apple ID or if the owner shares access with another user via the ‘Find My’ app.
What is the maximum number of AirTags I can pair with one phone?
A single iPhone can keep track of numerous AirTags, but Apple has not specified an exact limit. Performance might be affected if a user pairs an excessively high number of AirTags to one device.
How can I share an AirTag with a family member?
Share an AirTag by opening the ‘Find My’ app, selecting the AirTag under the ‘Items’ tab, and choosing to share it. Add a family member’s Apple ID to allow them to see the AirTag’s location.
Can someone else monitor the location of my AirTag if I permit them?
Yes, once you approve someone, they can see your AirTag’s location in their own ‘Find My’ app, but they cannot change other settings or rename the AirTag.
What is the lifespan of an AirTag’s battery?
An AirTag’s battery typically lasts for over a year before you need to replace it. The battery type is a CR2032 coin cell, which is easily replaceable by the user.
