How accurate is the Apple AirTag's location tracking?

7.9

Overall Score: 7.9/10

Professional:8/10

Consumer:7.8/10

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The Apple AirTag is designed to help keep track of personal items like keys, wallets, and bags within the Apple ecosystem. It's not really meant to be a GPS or pet tracker. According to our research, it uses Bluetooth to connect with nearby Apple devices, and it taps into the larger Find My network. This setup tends to work well in places with lots of Apple devices around, like cities, making it easier to find things you've misplaced.

But it's important to know that AirTags have their limits. Unlike GPS devices that provide real-time tracking, AirTags only give you the general location of your item when an Apple device is near. So, if you're trying to track something that's moving—like a pet—you won't get real-time updates. It only updates location data when an Apple device passes by, which might not happen often enough if your pet is roaming around. Our research shows that this can lead to some inaccuracies in tracking.

If you're thinking about using an AirTag for a pet, it's key to understand these points. In areas with a lot of iPhone users, an AirTag might help track a pet now and then. But for reliable and real-time location updates, especially in less crowded areas, you might be better off with a dedicated GPS pet collar.

According to the manufacturer's description, AirTags focus on privacy and security, which can complicate continuous tracking. They really rely on being around other Apple devices—without those, they don't track consistently.

So, while AirTags are pretty handy for finding stuff within the Apple world, they're not the best fit for things like pet tracking. If you need constant updates or real-time information, a GPS device is probably a better choice.

It's helpful to keep these factors in mind to set realistic expectations if you're thinking about using an AirTag for anything beyond tracking your personal items.