Airtag doesn't update location even though near iOS devices

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Level 1

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Airtag doesn't update location even though near iOS devices

My AirTag was moved (in car with my wife's and son's iPhones), transitioning for some 12km by car.

Location of Airtag reported in my iPhone (I'm the "owner") to have moved some 100m but then kept this position for 10 minutes even though the two iPhones (all newest firmware of course) showed their position moving.

WHY does the Airtag not pass through his location to my iPhone?

WHATS the need of a device to show its location if the pass-through mechanism of such location doesn't update.

By the way: after some 10 minutes the location was updated. I figure that this is far too long especially as the nearby devices did show their location all time long!!!

Posted on Mar 14, 2023 11:28 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 15, 2023 6:01 PM in response to wi-et

1st, the “relaying devices” must have their “FindMy Network” setting turned on.

2nd, AirTags are extremely low power devices.

To stretch the meager energy in their tiny batteries for a year, they do NOT transmit their beacon at a rate anything approaching would be required for near-real time tracking; such as a “high-power” device (e.g. iPhone) could.

I know of no published spec on “refresh” … but anecdotally I’ve observed that a 10-minute update cycle to be “normal”

Remember … AirTags are designed to help you find your items - which presumably aren’t moving as you are looking for them.

They are NOT designed to track moving objects.

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Answer 2

jmarse1

Community Specialist

Mar 15, 2023 5:38 PM in response to wi-et

Hi wi-et,

We'll be glad to provide some information. AirTags do not necessarily track in real time. All of the available information pertaining to how AirTags work can be found in AirTag - Apple

We hope this helps out.

Cheers.

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Airtag doesn't update location even though near iOS devices

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