Apple AirTags are an excellent way to keep track of items that frequently elude you. Can they, however, work with your pets? Let’s take a look.

These trackers were created by Apple to be attached to items such as wallets, keys, and backpacks. And, while they don’t recommend using AirTags on your pets, they also don’t prohibit you from doing so. You’ll find them useful in some situations if you use them on your animals, but you’ll also run into some significant limitations.

Connect your AirTag to your iPhone

Pull out the battery tab while holding the AirTag near your phone. When your iPhone’s Bluetooth detects a new AirTag, the Find My app launches and walks you through the setup process.

There is no option in the setup process for a dog or cat because Apple didn’t intend AirTags for animals. You can, however, select the appropriate emoji icon for your pet in the Custom Name option.

Keep in mind that AirTags are only compatible with iOS 14.5 and newer devices. This should only be an issue if your iPhone is older than seven years. If you still have an iPhone 6 or an iPhone older than that, you’ll need to upgrade to use AirTags.

You’ll also need a phone with the U1 chip, which is only found on iPhone 11 and newer models, to use the Precise Location feature. Furthermore, because the Find My app is required, Android devices are incompatible.

AirTag Your Pet

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Apple doesn’t sell pet collars or collar holsters for AirTags, and you’ll have a hard time finding them in stores.

So, unless you’re okay with your pet wearing a keychain around his neck, you’ll have to order a holder online. Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from, and they’re all discreet, affordable, and simple to attach to your pet’s collar.

Ideal for use around home

After you’ve set everything up, you’ll find that AirTags are a great way to quickly locate your pets at home. When you open the Find My app, it will display your animal’s most recent known location. To get an exact current location, select your pet’s tag and tap Find Nearby.

You may need to walk around the house or yard for a minute or two to get within Bluetooth range, but once you are, the app tells you how far away the tag is and in which direction it is.

If you still can’t find your pet, press the Play Sound button and listen for the AirTag to make a small chirping sound. If you have an animal that likes to hide or wander into strange places, this is a great solution. It’s especially useful when it’s time to bring your pet in for the night when it gets dark.

Only half as useful for tracking down lost pets

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Unfortunately, the Find My app loses almost all of its usefulness once you or your pet leave the house. The Find My app can only confirm that your animal isn’t on your property if it goes missing. It will show you where they were last before they went out of range, as well as how long it has been since they were last seen. However, because it isn’t a true GPS tracker, it can’t provide you with much more.