Air tag now not updating location
I brought a pack of 4 Air tags all have been working fine for the last 2 months. But 2 of them are not up dating the location.
I’ve don’t a reset of the 2 that have stopped working properly but still not updating the location.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Air tag not updating
An AirTag has no means by which to locate itself, or directly communicate its location.
An AirTag in simple terms is a beacon - that transmits a unique identity over a short range, using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) radio signal. This signal can be detected by other Apple devices (e.g. an iPhone) that are within about 10m (30'). The detecting device anonymously reports the unique identity of the received signal, along with the known location of the detecting device, to Apple's backend servers. As the AirTag will be with 10m of the detecting device, the reported location will be within 10m of the reported location.
Unless an Apple device "passes by" within range of a transmitting AirTag, the AirTag's reported location will not be updated.
If you have an Apple device in close proximity that is (a) participating in Apple's Find My network, and (b) the AirTag that is not showing its location, this would imply that the AirTag is faulty or has a failed or unsuitable battery.
Be aware that button cell batteries are coated with a bitterant substance ("Bitrex"), this foul tasting substance being intended to dissuade children from swallowing the battery. This bitterant can prevent the battery from making good electrical contact with the AirTag's battery compartment. When replacing a battery, ensure that you have selected a battery that does not have a bitterant coating, or the manufacturer has explicitly stated that the battery is compatible with AirTag. Some (but not all) CR2032 batteries manufactured by Duracell are marked as being compatible with AirTag.
An AirTag has no means by which to locate itself, or directly communicate its location.
An AirTag in simple terms is a beacon - that transmits a unique identity over a short range, using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) radio signal. This signal can be detected by other Apple devices (e.g. an iPhone) that are within about 10m (30'). The detecting device anonymously reports the unique identity of the received signal, along with the known location of the detecting device, to Apple's backend servers. As the AirTag will be with 10m of the detecting device, the reported location will be within 10m of the reported location.
Unless an Apple device "passes by" within range of a transmitting AirTag, the AirTag's reported location will not be updated.
If you have an Apple device in close proximity that is (a) participating in Apple's Find My network, and (b) the AirTag that is not showing its location, this would imply that the AirTag is faulty or has a failed or unsuitable battery.
Be aware that button cell batteries are coated with a bitterant substance ("Bitrex"), this foul tasting substance being intended to dissuade children from swallowing the battery. This bitterant can prevent the battery from making good electrical contact with the AirTag's battery compartment. When replacing a battery, ensure that you have selected a battery that does not have a bitterant coating, or the manufacturer has explicitly stated that the battery is compatible with AirTag. Some (but not all) CR2032 batteries manufactured by Duracell are marked as being compatible with AirTag.
juliesy wrote:
I still don’t understand why they’ve been working ok till today, and now suddenly stopped, I’ve not changed anything.
One of the tags & the item I am tracking hasn’t left the house but says last location is 3hours ago!
If the neither the AirTag nor your iPhone have left the house, the location may not update. Unless your iPhone (?) that is reporting presence of the AirTag has moved out-of-range of the static AirTag, nothing has changed.
The detecting device does not continuously report the presence of an AirTag - as this would be inefficient.
An Airtag detection is understood to be anonymously reported to Apple when the Tag comes into range of the detecting device - and won't reoccur while it remains within range unless the detecting device has itself substantially changed location - such as when the AirTag is travelling with (or close to) the detecting device.
juliesy ~ What Apple device, model and OS version are you using to track the AirTags? For example, if iPhone...
Settings > General > About > Model Name
Settings > General > About > iOS Version
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juliesy wrote: "iPhone 13
iOS 18.7.1"
As your iPhone 13 could be 4 years old, it's worth checking for a weak, aging battery. (Which can cause wireless connectivity issues.) So...
Does your iPhone 13 still have its original battery?
And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...
Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging
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if there is no iphone with a cellular connection and bluetooth enabled within range of an airtag it's dead in the water, it can't provide any sort of location to anything or anyone
I still don’t understand why they’ve been working ok till today, and now suddenly stopped, I’ve not changed anything.
One of the tags & the item I am tracking hasn’t left the house but says last location is 3hours ago!
iPhone 13
iOS 18.7.1
Two of my AirTags are not updating location
