Airtag not updating location

sidra5212 wrote:

I wish I had known this before buying 4x airtags :( .

Yes, you should have done a bit more research before you purchased these AirTags for the purpose of tracking your kids.

Two things to keep in mind:

1. As mentioned by Chris_V89, an AirTag relies on Bluetooth to send it location information. It sends that information to a device (another iPhone, for example) that is participating in the "Find My Network." That signal is broadcast approximately every 5-10 mins to save on battery life. In turn, the device that receives the signal must have either a cellular or wireless connection to the Internet to pass that information to the Apple servers. That is where the Find My app on your iPhone would "see" it.
2. An Apple AirTag is not designed to track people or pets. Apple has specifically implemented a number of features to discourage using it for this purpose (at least, the people part.) Yet, folks still try, and they end up posting here thinking that this is a problem with the tags. It's not; they are working as intended by Apple.

The solution? Well if tracking is a requirement, whether it would be for a person, pet, or vehicle, then you should consider getting a device that is designed for that purpose ... one that relies on GPS, not Bluetooth, to relay location information. A perfect example of this for, let's say, vehicles is the LoJack.

All of Apple's "finder devices" (iPhones and iPads) that have been updated to iOS17.1 or above don't seem to be contributing to the FindMy network anymore. The network fully depends on older devices now – which are getting fewer every day (over 66% of all iPhones already have iOS17, official statistics from early February 2024).

Further researching suggests that even those devices no longer fully supported (only by security updates of iOS16 and iOS15) also suffer from this bug. My old 6s stopped working as a "finder" (reporting locations of AirTags around) after installing latest security update end of January 2024. Thus the FindMy network is getting worse and worse every day.

There are several bug reports but no response from Apple yet. Either they are not aware of it or just don't care – unless this has been made on purpose (very unlikely), they should do something about it ASAP. Otherwise, all AirTags and all certified clones get completely useless in a matter of only a few more months. The quality and accuracy of the network already is MUCH worse than last year.

iOS 17.4.1 and iOS 16.7.7 have finally fixed the issue with devices not sending Finder Reports. AirTags / Findmy network now work like before. It took Apple only 5 months to take bug reports seriously and check the issue. Congratulations.

Your theory is wrong. If it were correct, the AirTag should sync properly with those devices with which it is shared. And it doesn't. It only seems to sync correctly when near the owner's device.

There is no need to make many excuses. The product does not deliver what it promises. It simply doesn't work and is closer to being a scam than an error.

Same here, the tag won't update itself for a few hours. It was different from what had been marketed to me initially. I am not sure of the use of the AirTag when it only updates when I am around and takes a few hours to update when I'm not around (when I lost it).

I have an air tag in my car and on the key ring for the same car. I am parked and the air tag in the car updated within 1 minute as to the correct location, the air tag on the key ring has not updated for over 30 minutes showing it was 26 miles away. The two air tags are only separated by 15 feet. The keys are in my pocket with my iPhone and it is the one that has not updated. After I got back in my car both updated at the same time. The answer provided by support does not address this situation that it is "expected behavior". If that was the case, both air tags would be providing the same tracking information.

Hey there sidra5212,

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities.

We'd be happy to provide you with the best information. To get started, we do want to let you know that this would likely be expected behavior. The location of the AirTags will only update when the AirTag is within range of a device in the Find My Network. If the AirTags are not within range of your iPhone or another device in the Find My Network, you would only see the last known location and timestamp.

You can find this information, and more details at this link here: Find your keys, backpack and more with AirTag – Apple Support

See your AirTag on the map

1. Open the Find My app, then tap the Items tab.

2. Choose the AirTag you want to locate in the Items list.

* If the AirTag is within range of your device or the Find My network recently detected it, you'll see it on the map. An updated location and timestamp will appear under its name.

* If the AirTag isn't within range of your device or any devices in the Find My network, you will see its last known location and timestamp. To be notified when your AirTag is within range of your device or detected by the Find My network, turn on Notify When Found under Notifications. 

We hope that's able to help.

Have a great day!

Wish I’d seen this before ordering these piles of junk.

Going to get a refund on them.

can we request for refund as the airtag as it is not functioning anymore ?

Hello Chris: My wife's airtag is next to her phone at work. Her phone is visible to me the tag still shows at home 'last seen XX hours ago', the last time it came within my phone's Bluetooth range. So the airtag is not behaving as it should. Both phones on latest iOS, both phones with all proper settings. Airtags on latest firmware as of 02/2024. What is the resolution?

If the AirTag isn't within range of your device or any devices in the Find My network, you will see its last known location and timestamp. To be notified when your AirTag is within range of your device or detected by the Find My network, turn on Notify When Found under Notifications. 

where is my airtag at??

I’m positive it’s the IOS.. the AirTag updates randomly like it’s only when certain iOS versions are around

There's a post on reddit that indicated phones running iOS17+ are not reporting locations, but iOS and earlier are.

Airtag’s useless if the burglar uses an android phone 😂

So why hasn't Apple commented on this thread? Kind of an important issue.