What devices are supported by Apple AirTags?
Apple has finally launched its own object tracking tool: the AirTag. If you've used an item tracker like the ones sold by Tile before, you'll know the basics. However, Apple has also armed the AirTag with support for Ultra-Wideband technology - thanks to the U1 chip inside - for more precise location tracking. Priced at $ 29 a pop (or $ 99 for a pack of four), this coin-sized gadget goes on sale later this month. But before they hit the shelves, you need to ask yourself about the compatibility part.
The answer is iPhone, iPad and iPod. However, the Apple device you are using must be running iOS 14.5 which will be released later this month. Fortunately, you don't necessarily need to have the latest iPhone to use AirTag, as the full list of Apple Object Tracker compatible devices clearly shows:
| iPhone 12 | 12 iPhone Mini | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | iPhone XS |
| iPhone XS Max | iPhone XR | iPhone XR | iPhone X |
| iPhone 8 | 8 iPhone Plus | iPhone 7 | 7 iPhone Plus |
| iPhone 6S | 6S iPhone Plus | iPhone SE Gen 1 | iPhone SE Gen 2 |
| iPad Pro 12,9 inches (4th generation) |
iPad Pro 12,9 inches (3th generation) |
iPad Pro 11 inches (2nd generation) |
iPad Pro 11 inches (1st generation) |
| iPad Pro 12,9 inches (1st and 2nd generation) |
iPad Pro 10,5 inches | iPad Pro 9,7 inches | iPad Air 2 |
| iPad Air (3rd generation) |
iPad Air (4rd generation) | iPad mini 4 | iPad mini (5th generation) |
| iPad (6th generation) | iPad (7th generation) |
iPad (8th generation) | iPod Touch (7th generation) |
Only iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 series support AirTag precision search function
Now there is a caveat here. Not all AirTag features are supported by the devices mentioned above. The best example is the Precision Finder, which uses the U1 chip inside the AirTag to locate items using Ultra-Wideband technology for more precise positioning. However, you need to own an iPhone model that is also equipped with a U1 chip. Apple claims that only iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 series devices support precision search at this time. But later this year, the iPhone 13 series will also be added to the compatibility list.
The AirTag is only compatible with Apple devices, not Android phones, mainly because it works after being linked to the Find My app. The aforementioned app is not yet available for Android phones and tablets - and likely won't be released in the near future either. However, if you have an Android phone with NFC support, it can offer very limited - but useful - interaction with the Apple Object Tracker.
Get an Android phone with NFC and be a Good Samaritan for AirTag owners!
Apple has created a Lost Mode that lets you find an AirTag that's out of range. So if you come across an AirTag in the wild and have an Android phone with an NFC chip inside, you can just tap the phone on the tracker to open a lost mode message. This lost mode message will guide you to a website that will display the contact number of the AirTag owner for you to contact and help them find their lost object tracker and the item it's attached to.
Additionally, if there is an AirTag moving with you and making sounds after being put into Lost Mode by the owner, you can tap your NFC-enabled Android phone on it to turn off the tracking device after tracking. on-screen instructions. It will also help you find the information needed to return it to the person who lost it in the first place.
Of course, the AirTag will come in handy if you often have a tendency to misplace items like your wallet or car keys, but it's just as important to protect your phone. If you own an iPhone 12, we've put together a comprehensive list of the best cases to protect your shiny phone from accidents and keep it in pristine condition.
