Are AirTags Worth It For Walking? (What You Need To Know)

Apple AirTags makes it super easy to track and find your misplaced stuff like keys, wallets, backpacks, luggage, and more.

However, if you’re new to AirTags, one popular question is, are AirTags worth it for walking? If you’re wondering the same, read on because this article is for you!

Although you can use an AirTag while walking, walkers have better alternatives, for example, an Apple Watch which is more effective for location tracking during a walk.

In this article, I explore topics such as using an AirTag for walking, whether you can share an AirTag’s location while walking, do AirTags work in rural areas, and much more.

Can You Use An AirTag For Walking?

You can use an AirTag for walking, but there are some caveats to be aware of. Apple recommends to not track people with an AirTag, and an AirTag’s location can’t be shared using Apple Family Sharing.

If you enjoy going for regular walks, using an AirTag when you head out might seem like a lightweight tracking alternative to walking with your iPhone. But there are caveats you need to consider before tossing one into your pocket and heading out on your next walk.

Unlike Apple’s other products, an AirTag’s location can’t be shared with someone else through Apple’s Family Sharing feature. This limitation is down to the fact that an AirTag can only be registered against one Apple ID.

Something else to consider is that Apple doesn’t recommend using an AirTag to track someone. Apple recommends using other products like their Apple Watch to track the location of someone and face it – when walking, we all want to know how far and how long we’ve walked too.

Can You Share An AirTag’s Location While Walking?

Since an AirTag is linked to one Apple ID, it prevents you from sharing its location using Family Sharing while walking.

Apple’s Family Sharing feature allows you and up to five other family members to share access to its services like Apple Music or an iCloud storage plan. You can even help locate each other’s missing devices with Family Sharing, however, Family Sharing does not support the sharing of AirTags.

Do AirTags Have GPS?

AirTags don’t have GPS capabilities. AirTags cannot connect to the Global Positioning Satellites to determine positioning.

Unlike GPS-enabled trackers that can decode and compute the precise location of GPS satellites, AirTags rely on connectivity with nearby Bluetooth Apple devices in the worldwide Find My network to share their location.

While this approach works well for determining location, it limits the ability of an AirTag to track in real-time somewhat and prevents an AirTag from tracking things like speed, unlike some of its GPS tracking counterparts.

Do AirTags Work In Rural Areas?

Because AirTags rely on other nearby Apple devices, AirTags don’t work at their best in rural areas. If you happen to be walking in a remote location where no one passes, your AirTag’s location will not be updated regularly.

AirTags are best when used in densely populated areas like a city. If someone with an Apple device passes by your AirTag and it can send that passing Apple device a Bluetooth signal, your AirTag’s location will be visible from the Find My app.

Since AirTag’s don’t use GPS, being in a rural or remote location, without regular communication to other Apple devices, an AirTag’s location will not be updated regularly, if at all.

The last point to note, Bluetooth works at its best when there is a clear line of sight. Since AirTags do not use a cell service, it’s important to understand that obstacles such as buildings, walls, and metal can impact how strong a Bluetooth signal is.

How Good Is An AirTag’s Battery Life?

An AirTag’s battery life lasts about one year with daily use. Fortunately, changing an AirTag’s battery is a simple process that can be done in a few steps.

An AirTag battery will eventually die, and unlike most of Apple’s other products, you can’t charge an AirTag. Therefore, this means when the battery becomes low or does eventually run out, you’re going to have to change it yourself.

Fortunately, an AirTag uses a single CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery as its power source. This battery type is common and can be found in many popular stores like Walmart, Target, and even on Amazon. No need for an Apple store visit here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, I have answered all of your questions on, are AirTags worth it for walking. However, you may still have other questions surrounding Apple AirTags. If you do, below, I answer some common frequently asked questions or check out one of my other articles like do AirTags work anywhere?

Final Thoughts On Are AirTags Worth It For Walking

So, in conclusion. Are AirTags worth it for walking? In my opinion, they’re not. There is romance in just popping one into your pocket and heading out on a forest walk, but unless you’re expecting the forest to be well-populated with Apple users, your location update isn’t going to happen often.

And lastly, being unable to use Apple’s Family Sharing with an AirTag is a huge disadvantage. Better Apple products are available for walkers, like the Apple Watch or an iPhone.

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