How Often Does Airtag Update Location?

To determine how often does AirTag update location, it’s essential to know how it works.

Unlike conventional tracking devices, the AirTag lacks built-in GPS but relies on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies to communicate with your iPhone, guiding you to its precise location.

The AirTag broadcasts Bluetooth signals to all nearby devices, not limited to your iPhone. Any nearby Apple devices can detect these signals and contribute to updating the AirTag’s location on the Find My network, allowing the owner to monitor its whereabouts.

How often does AirTag update location depends on its location and the environment. In busy areas, the system updates the AirTag’s location approximately every minute or two. However, the likelihood of receiving updated location information diminishes if the AirTag is in a location without nearby iPhones. If real-time tracking is essential, an AirTag might not be the most suitable choice, and opting for a dedicated GPS-based tracker would be more appropriate.

Additionally, this dynamic also influences how the “Last Seen” message appears on your screen. The device might be in a remote area with few iPhones passing by to record its location if the “Last Seen” update indicates a significant time gap.

On the other hand, it can mean that the device has moved from its most recent known location and that no other device has been in the area to provide an updated location.

What is the Range of an AirTag?

AirTags don’t possess an independent range but operate within Bluetooth range. If your AirTag remains within the Bluetooth range of any iPhone or Apple device in the Find My network, it will establish passive communication with you. This implies that you can passively communicate with your AirTag as long as it is within the radius of any other iPhone.

For example, you can determine the location of your AirTag by leveraging other people’s devices, irrespective of their location. All that’s required is for these devices to be near your gadget.

However, challenges arise if you misplace your AirTag in remote locations, such as deep in the woods or other seldom-visited places. In such scenarios, tracking it down becomes more difficult due to the limited presence of other iPhones in those areas.

Typically, an iPhone’s Bluetooth range is approximately 33 feet (10 meters). However, this distance can vary based on the AirTag’s specific location. Obstacles such as physical walls or objects can impact the signal, potentially causing variations in the effective Bluetooth range.

Can You See the Location History of Your AirTag?

The only available information about your AirTag is its current location; you cannot review its location history or track its path over time. While the absence of this feature may be inconvenient, Apple has implemented it as a protective measure to prevent unauthorized tracking of individuals. This, along with other security measures, is designed to safeguard user privacy.

Can You Track People or Pets With AirTag?

Apple has integrated robust security features into AirTags to prevent the tracking of individuals using this device. For instance, if your iPhone operates on iOS 14.5 or a more recent system and your AirTag is not registered under the same Apple ID, you will receive push notifications alerting you to the presence of other AirTags nearby.

This functionality extends to users with older systems or those using Android phones. Even without iOS support, individuals will still be notified about unclaimed AirTags. Any device outside the network of the parent phone starts emitting sounds after being unconnected for 2-3 days.

It’s crucial to note that AirTags are not intended for tracking people, and they are not designed for tracking pets either. This limitation arises because pets often roam beyond the Find My grid, and unless they come close to an iPhone user, their location cannot be tracked.

However, despite this limitation, AirTags can still be utilized to monitor pets with various accessories such as silicone keychains, clips, comfort tags, AirTag holders, collars, collar sleeves, leather loops, snap cases, and more.

How to Set Up Precision Finding on AirTag

Precision Finding safeguards against unauthorized tracking with AirTags and precisely measures the distance to your AirTag. To enable this feature and set up your AirTag effectively, follow these steps:

Ensure your iPod, iPhone, or iPad runs iOS 14.5 or a later version.
Turn on two-factor authentication.
Activate the Find My feature.
Enable Bluetooth and connect to a stable Wi-Fi network.
Set up location services by navigating to Settings, Privacy, and Location Services.
Scroll down to the Find My section and check the While Using App or While Using Widgets or App box based on your preferences.
Toggle on Precise Location.

Configure Your Airtag

Once you have enabled Precision Finding, proceed to configure your AirTag.

Unwrap the AirTag and pull out the protective tab to activate the battery, indicated by a sound from the AirTag.
Hold the AirTag close to an iPod, iPad, or iPhone and press the Connect option. If using multiple AirTags, ensure only one is near your device.
Choose a name from the list or use a custom name for your AirTag.
Select an emoji and tap Continue.
Press Continue again to register the AirTag with the corresponding Apple ID.
Hit Done to complete the setup and start using Precision Finding.

Change Your AirTag’s Name and Emoji

Additionally, AirTag allows you to change the device’s name and emoji:

Go to Find My and select Items.
Tap the AirTag you want to modify.
Scroll and find the Rename Item option.
Enter a custom name or choose from the available list.
Select a new emoji.
Press Done to save changes.

Can You Configure Your AirTag to Make Sounds?

You can customize your AirTags’ sounds, making it easier to locate them within your smartphone’s Bluetooth range. This feature becomes particularly useful if your iPhone does not support Precision Finding.

Enabling sounds is a quick process and can be done in a few simple steps:

Open the Find My app on your device.
Navigate to the Items tab.
Select the specific AirTag you want to locate.
Choose the “Play Sound” option.
Alternatively, you can use Siri to play sounds with various commands. For example, saying, “Hey Siri, find my AirTag,” is an effective way to trigger the sound and locate your AirTag.

How Accurate is the Apple AirTag Location?

The Apple AirTag employs a combination of GPS, Bluetooth, and a U1 chip to determine the location of the connected item. GPS provides an approximate location, while Bluetooth and the U1 chip enable precise tracking within the Find My app.

The AirTag has a detectable range of 800 feet outdoors and 100 feet indoors. Optimal location accuracy is achieved within 20 to 30 feet. However, various factors can impact this accuracy.

Obstacles like walls and furniture can interfere with Bluetooth and U1 signals, affecting location accuracy. Other elements, such as distance from the Apple device, terrain features like mountains or dense forests, and low battery life, can also reduce accuracy.

It’s important to note that a device supporting Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is necessary for advanced features like Precision Finding. The U1 chip is present in iPhone 11 and newer models, so older models like the iPhone XS do not support the advanced Precision Finding feature.

Why is My AirTag Not Updating the Location?

If you frequently check the Find My app and observe the same location for your AirTag, several factors may hinder location updates. It’s crucial to address these issues to ensure accurate location data:

Low AirTag battery

The AirTag battery has an approximate lifespan of one year. If the battery runs low, it might not update the location in the Find My network. You can verify this through the low battery indication in the Find My app and replace the battery accordingly.

Disabled location services on iPhone

Enable location services on your iPhone to receive the most recent AirTag location.

Outdated AirTag software

Keep your iPhone close to the AirTag to install the latest AirTag software updates. Apple regularly releases updates to address bugs and introduce new features.

Two-factor authentication is turned off

For AirTag location tracking, active two-factor authentication for your Apple account is essential.

Unstable Bluetooth connections

Unstable Bluetooth connections on your phone can cause issues with your AirTag.

Conclusion

In conclusion, how often does AirTag update location depends on various factors, such as the device’s location and its proximity to other iPhones or Apple devices. Typically, updates occur every 60 to 120 seconds, but this interval may vary.

AirTags are effective in busy areas but may face challenges in isolated locations due to the limited presence of devices. To enhance tracking accuracy, users can set up Precision Finding and customize AirTag sounds for accessible locations within Bluetooth range.

Users should check for low battery levels, enable location services, update software, and ensure two-factor authentication to maximize their effectiveness.

Bonus Tip

iFoneTool is a versatile location spoofing application for Windows and macOS. With a user-friendly interface, it enables iPhone and iPad users to instantly change their device’s GPS location globally. The app ensures privacy by not sharing personal information unless explicitly authorized. Its joystick control allows precise GPS movement, creating lifelike effects. Additionally, you can easily import GPX routes for convenience.

How Often Does Airtag Update Location?