What if I find a lost AirTag and can't connect to it?

You have found an AirTag and you are unable to connect to it with your iPhone. You are not going to be able to connect to an AirTag that is registered by someone else. Review this article published by Apple ➔ What to do if you find an AirTag or get an alert that an AirTag is with you

Axel F.

kibbles1053 wrote:

So they do have to mark it as “lost” before my phone will identify it, yes?

Why do you think you should have the right to use someone's lost property?

Do the right thing and drop it off at an Apple Store or Best Buy store for recycling. You can't use this AirTag, nor should you have the right to do so.

Thank you for clarifying. It's very good of you to want to get it back to its rightful owner. Unfortunately, if they didn't mark it lost, you won't be able to get it back to them.