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You’re not sure why your new ‘Apple Air Tag Not Working’ Issue. You’re trying to find the thing you tagged, but the Find My app doesn’t show it. Compared to other options like Galaxy SmartTag, AirTag is almost as good as an item tracker when it comes to how well it tracks things.
So it’s no wonder that many people call it the gold standard for tracking bags in the 21st century. Now, Apple’s product tracker has had some problems, even when it was new, but that hasn’t stopped people from giving it rave reviews. Some users said that Apple AirTags didn’t work at all, and others said that the much-talked-about “Sensitive Detection” wasn’t always accurate. You’re really looking forward to using your Apple AirTag.
But for some reason, your AirTag isn’t going through the setup process correctly, or it can’t find the item on your iPhone or iPad. We mentioned below are the ways to fix ‘Apple Air Tag Not Working’ Issue. If you’ve tried all of these solutions and you’re still having the same problem in your iPhone, you should go to their official Apple support website for more information.
Ways To Fix ‘Apple Air Tag Not Working’ Issue
Ensure Find My App Is Enabled
If you lose your AirTag item and it is within Bluetooth range, the Find My app should help you find it quickly. Lost something, but it’s not in Bluetooth range? It can still be found with the help of the Find My network.
The Find My app is the key piece that connects your device to the thing you’ve lost. So, if your AirTag isn’t working, you should check to see if this app is running. Here’s how to make sure your device has the Find My app turned on:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name.
- Then click on Find My.
- Now, make sure that the toggle switches next to Find My iPhone (or iPad), Find My Network, and Send Last Location are all on or green.
Reset Network Settings
Most AirTag problems are caused by issues with the network. So, if your AirTag isn’t working, it makes sense to reset the network settings on your device. But this will delete all of your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth, Cellular, Wi-Fi, and VPN settings.
So, make sure to pair your Bluetooth devices again after the reset is done. You’ll also need to enter your Wi-Fi, VPN, and cellular passwords again. Here’s what you need to do to reset your device’s network settings:
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap General. Then click on Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings to move on.
- Enter your passcode.
- Last, to confirm, tap Reset Network Settings.
Remove and Re-Add AirTag
- Get Find My up and running on your iPhone or iPad.
- Choose the items in the last row.
- Tap your AirTag. It could be called “Keys,” “Bag,” or any other name you set.
- Click “Remove Item.” Then, to confirm, tap Remove.
- Turn on your iPhone or iPad again.
- Pair your AirTag again once the device is back on.
Re-Enable Location Services
Location Services must be turned on for AirTags to work accurately. So, if AirTag isn’t working and you want to fix it, try turning Location Services on and off. This easy step could help get rid of any random bug that might have messed with your AirTag. Here’s how to turn off and on Location Services:
- Go to the Settings menu on your device.
- Tap Privateness.
- Then turn off Location Services by turning off the button next to it.
- Tap Turn Off again to confirm.
- Restart your device.
- Then, go back to Settings > Privacy and turn Location Services back on by toggling the switch.
Turn Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular Off and On
Assuming you set up your AirTag correctly, the connection is the first thing you should check if it isn’t working. AirTags and the Find My app don’t work without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a cellular network.
So, if you notice that your connection is slow, it could be the cause. Whether you have an iPhone or an iPad, it’s easy to connect and disconnect devices. So this should be the first thing you do to fix AirTag problems.
- Go to Setting on your device.
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular are things to look for. They are written down in order.
- Next, turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular using the switches.
- Turn on your iPhone or iPad again.
- After turning your device back on, go back to Settings.
- Flip the switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular on.
- Check to see if your AirTag works.
Update Device Software
Your device may no longer work with AirTags if the current version of iOS or iPadOS is no longer compatible with them. In this case, it’s best to see if there are any updates for the software. This simple trick is sometimes all it takes to get the job done.
Both iPhones and iPads have the same way to check for software updates. You should find it easy to follow the steps below to update your iOS or iPadOS.
- Open Settings as a first step.
- Tap General.
- Then, click Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install or Install Now if there’s an update you can get.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to update the software.
Reset AirTag
Even though your software is up to date and your network is fine, your AirTag still doesn’t work. The problem could be that someone else has used your AirTag before.
Only one Apple ID can be linked to an AirTag. If you want to use an AirTag that a friend or family member used to have, ask them to take it off of their Apple ID. Have they done that already? Maybe they took it off when they were out of Bluetooth range for AirTag. If so, you need to reset the AirTag before you can use it with your iPhone or iPad.
- First, press down on the AirTag’s battery cover, which is made of stainless steel. Turn the cover the opposite way of the clock until it stops moving.
- Take the battery and cover off with care. You can use a dry cloth to clean the battery.
- Then replace the battery.
- Hold the battery down until you hear a sound.
- When the sound stops, take out the battery and put it back in four more times. Make sure to press down until you hear a sound every time you put the battery back in. You should hear five sounds in all. But the fifth sound shouldn’t be the same as the first four. That means the AirTag is ready to connect once more.
- Align the three tabs on the cover with the three slots on your AirTag to put the cover back on.
- Then, put pressure on the cover.
- Last, turn the cover anticlockwise until you can’t turn it any more.
FAQ
What to do if AirTag is not working?
- Press down on your AirTag’s polished stainless steel battery cover and turn it anticlockwise until it stops turning.
- Take off the battery and the cover.
- Switch out the battery.
- Hold the battery down until you hear a sound.
Why is my AirTag not updating its location?
Let’s check your iPhone’s Settings to make sure everything is set up right: Open Settings > [Your Name] > Find My, and make sure that both Find My [Device] and Find My network are turned on. Make sure that Location Services is turned on by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
How do I refresh my AirTag location?
Tap Items at the bottom of the screen, and then tap the AirTag that’s close by. Click Find. Any of these things: Get nearer the AirTag: Move around to find the AirTag and follow the instructions on the screen.