What to do when you find an AirTag

There are just a couple of actions to go through when you find an AirTag to find the owner, but the results you get depends on what the initial owner has set up.The idea is that when you find an AirTag, you hold your iPhone or Android phone next to it, and thats it, you can return the gadget to its own. Eventually, this is precisely what takes place, however its sluggish enough that youll believe youre doing it wrong.Then by default, what you discover out from an AirTag is restricted– unless the owner has both marked it as lost, and has actually set a message for you.Regardless of whether the owner has done that, or even if this is a bad actor planting an AirTag on you, the very first steps are the same. Its up to them.If they have not included a message or phone number, and if they havent put their AirTag in Lost Mode, you still get some information.Its simply little usage when youve found an AirTag that has actually truly been lost. And for another, bad stars have AirTags and lose them just like anyone else.Leave the AirTag somewhere hectic where there are a lot of iPhone users passing by. Theres also always an explanatory message from Apple for people who do not occur to understand what an AirTag is– and yet did know enough to poke it with their iPhone.It describes that the “serial number is signed up to the owner of this AirTag,” and shows you that number.

There are just a few steps to go through when you find an AirTag to find the owner, but the outcomes you get depends on what the initial owner has set up.The idea is that when you discover an AirTag, you hold your iPhone or Android phone next to it, whichs it, you can return the gadget to its own. Eventually, this is precisely what occurs, however its slow enough that youll think youre doing it wrong.Then by default, what you learn from an AirTag is restricted– unless the owner has both marked it as lost, and has actually set a message for you.Regardless of whether the owner has done that, or even if this is a bad star planting an AirTag on you, the first steps are the very same. You get your iPhone to check out the AirTag.Its simply that there are two ways to do that. One with the Find My app, and one without.How to get your iPhone to read an AirTag without using Find My

Open the Find My app on your iPhone
Tap on Items
Choose Identify Found Item
Hold the AirTag so that the white side is by the top of your iPhone
Wait. Move the AirTag slightly if youre waiting more than five seconds.
Youll get a notification once the AirTag is acknowledged
Tap on the notice to go to found.apple.com in Safari

Its difficult to see why there are these 2 different ways to check out an AirTag when they are almost the same, and do get you the very same result. Whatever the reason, as soon as youve discovered an AirTag like this, youre on your way to the Found website.What you see on Apples Found website
Really, its the very first of numerous pages you might pick to read, but the very first is crucial, and its the first that might change.This is where you may get an individual message from the owner of the AirTag, maybe noting their e-mail address, possibly offering a benefit. Its up to them.If they have not included a message or phone number, and if they have not put their AirTag in Lost Mode, you still get some information.Its simply little use when youve discovered an AirTag that has really been lost. And for another, bad stars have AirTags and lose them simply like anybody else.Leave the AirTag somewhere busy where there are a lot of iPhone users passing by.
At the really least, you can discover and copy an identification number for a lost AirTag.
Finding the tracker
Theres no chance for you to readily discover the owner of an AirTag unless theyve put it in Lost Mode and left you a message– or if you tell law enforcement. Apple will do it if authorities ask Apple to identify an AirTag serial number. You just need the serial number. The “About This AirTag” page will constantly show you this toward the top of the screen. Theres likewise constantly an explanatory message from Apple for individuals who dont take place to know what an AirTag is– and yet did understand enough to poke it with their iPhone.It describes that the “identification number is signed up to the owner of this AirTag,” and shows you that number. “If this AirTag is not familiar to you, find out how to disable it and stop sharing your place.” Tapping on Instructions for disabling takes you to another screen, which still shows that identification number. It offers instructions about getting rid of the battery so that “the place of this AirTag is no longer visible to its owner.” Most considerably, though, there is likewise a Save serial number button. Tap that and you open Safaris regular Share Sheet, with the ability to copy the serial number, or send it over Mail and Messages.Apple does likewise supply a warning, stating that if you feel your safety is at threat, “call your local law enforcement” with the serial number.Happier times
Alternatively, when you find an AirTag on a product, look up. See if theres anybody desperately searching the location since theyve got an iPhone without a U1 chip.Or see if theres anybody walking straight towards you while staring at the instructions on their iPhone screen.Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. State, “Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider,” and youll get newest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for “AppleInsider Daily” instead and youll hear a fast upgrade direct from our news group. And, if youre interested in Apple-centric house automation, say “Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider,” and youll be listening to our most recent specialized podcast in moments.

Hold the AirTag so that the white side is by the top of your iPhone
Wait. Move the AirTag a little if youre waiting more than five seconds.
Youll get a notification once the AirTag is recognized
Tap on the notification to go to found.apple.com in Safari

Tap on the notification and youre taken to Apples Found website in Safari
Whether you do this, or use the Find My app, you need to be unusually accurate where you hold the AirTag when youre trying to read it. Pressing the white side versus the top of the iPhone, and holding slightly back toward the back of the phone, appears to work.Finding the ideal spot is a process of trying it out, moving the AirTag around the top and back of the iPhone, and pausing at intervals. This is where you will conclude that it isnt working, but when you struck the best area, the alert appears quite quickly.How to get your iPhone to read an AirTag with Find My