Airtag family share doesn't update when one member is connected

Hey charlie902,

AirTags don't produce their own location data. Instead, they rely on the nearby devices to provide that. If the AirTag location isn't updating for a connected device, this could mean that the Location Services settings aren't configured correctly to allow for this. With that in mind, you may want to toggle off the Location Services on your iPhone and then toggle it back on to re-secure a connection, if you haven't done that thus far.

To start with, make sure that both Find My [Device] and Find My Network are both turned on in Settings > [Your Name] > Find My. If they're both on, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and toggle that off, and then toggle it back on again and test the behavior. If, even after this information is verified and tested, you're not getting correct Find My information, Contact Apple Support for more direct help.

Be well.

charlie902,

Resetting the AirTag may help with some issues that arise. If needed, the steps for that can be found here: How to reset your AirTag - Apple Support

1. Press down on the polished stainless steel battery cover of your AirTag and rotate counterclockwise until the cover stops rotating.

2. Remove the cover and the battery.*

3. Replace the battery.

4. Press down on the battery until you hear a sound. This sound means that the battery is connected. 

5. When the sound finishes, repeat the process four more times, removing and replacing the battery, then pressing down on the battery until you hear a sound. You should hear a sound each time you press on the battery, for a total of five sounds. The fifth sound is different from the previous four. This indicates that the AirTag is now ready to pair.

6. Replace the cover by aligning the three tabs on the cover with the three slots on your AirTag.

7. Press down on the cover.

8. Rotate the cover clockwise until it stops rotating.

If you continue to experience issues with it you may try using the link here to reach out to Apple Support to investigate deeper: Apple Support

Cheers.

charlie902,

This is expected for the following reasons which are mentioned in Find your keys, backpack, and more with AirTag and Find My - Apple Support. The AirTag will need to be in range so will only appear on the iPhone that is within range.

"Use Precision Finding to pinpoint the location of your item with Find Nearby

If your AirTag is within Bluetooth range, tap Find Nearby to help find it, even if it's stuck between couch cushions or hiding under a stack of mail."

"Find a nearby item

1. Open Find My, then tap Items.
2. Choose your AirTag, then tap Find Nearby.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions and move around the space until your iPhone connects to your AirTag.
4. Follow the distance and direction information that your iPhone displays. Your iPhone also vibrates as you get closer to the AirTag.

• You can tap Play Sound to hear a series of beeps that helps you find your AirTag. 
• If your iPhone says that more light is required, uncover the camera or tap the Turn Flashlight On button.

If the Find Nearby button doesn't appear

If you don't see Find Nearby, make sure that you turned on Location Access for Find My.

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and check that Location Services is on.
2. Scroll down and tap Find My.
3. Choose how you want Find My to access your location.
4. For the most accurate location, turn on Precise Location.

Still don't see Find Nearby? Your AirTag might be out of range of your iPhone — first try finding it on a map and getting directions to its location."

All the best.

Thanks for reaching out charlie902,

It sounds like you are trying to share your AirTag with your wife. We can help.

A great place to start is with these steps to Share an AirTag or other item in Find My on iPhone:

If you want to share an item that’s  paired with an AirTag (or a third-party item that works with Find My), you can share it in Find My so the borrower can see it on a map and find it. If it’s nearby, Find My can play a sound, and if you’re using a supported iPhone, you can find its precise location. People you’re sharing items with don’t receive tracking notifications when the items are moving with them.

Note: You share a third-party item the same way you share an AirTag. Location sharing and finding devices aren’t available in all countries or regions.

Share an AirTag

1. Open the Find My app  on your iPhone, then tap Items.

2. Tap the name of the AirTag or item you want to share, then tap Add Person below Share This AirTag (or Share This Item).

3. Enter the Apple ID of the person you want to add.

4. To add more people, tap .

5. Tap the name of the person you want to share with, then tap their Apple ID.

6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each person you want to add.

7. When you’re finished adding people, tap Share in the top-right corner.

8. A list of everyone you invited appears on the item’s main screen, along with the status of their invitations. 

9. When someone accepts the invitation, the shared AirTag appears in the Find My app below Items and the recipient is notified that an item is being shared with them. If someone declines the invitation, their name is removed from the list, and you no longer see it.

10. Note: You can only share an AirTag with someone who has an Apple ID. You can’t share with a child account.

Hope that helps.

Take care.

We have a similar problem. My husband bought an AirTag for our pet. It works perfectly on his phone. He shared it with me and our son. Neither of us can view location. It says “item not found.” We have all updated to latest phone software…and firmware on AirTag is updated to latest version. I’ve also checked everything in settings that has been suggested. It has to be a bug that Apple needs to fix.

Charlie902, I am having this exact same issue with my items. It is so frustrating. I even get “No location found” even when both phones are right next to the item. It only shows on the phone that the item is connected to :-(. If you find a solution, please please, let me know.

I am also having issue with this as well. I recently bought AirTags since we are traveling out of the states for the end of the year. I shared the AirTag for my daughter’s backpack with my wife and I can see the precise location and play the sound but my wife can’t do either. It shows the AirTag but she can’t connect to the device. Hopefully someone is helpful.