IF you’re about to start packing for a holiday, don’t risk losing your luggage.
There’s a clever new trick that you need to set up before flying – and it could save your summer hols from being ruined.
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Loads of airlines now support a special feature that lets them track your Apple AirTags.
That way if your luggage is lost, they can easily track it down with one of the clever Apple tracker beacons.
The feature was first announced back in November, and now nearly a long list of airlines offer the service.
But you’ll need to take steps to get ready for the feature before you actually head to the airport.
HOW TO SHARE LOST ITEM LOCATIONS
The feature works using AirTags, which are an Apple product designed to help you find lost items.
You’d normally attach them to your luggage, or keys, or drop one in your purse – and then see the location live via the Find My app on your iPhone.
But in November, Apple announced that iOS 18.2 would let you Share Item Location with another person.
To check if you’ve got that iOS version, go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.
Then you can go into the Find My app and generate a Share Item Location link.
Anyone who receives that link will be able to see a website with the location of an item on an interactive map.
Then if an airline has mishandled or delayed your bag, you’ll be able to share that link with them directly.
They’ll be able to see the item on a map and even play a sound.
Once you’ve got your AirTag-equipped luggage back, the location-sharing will be disabled.
It’ll also automatically expire after seven days – and you can shut it off at any time.
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“By accepting Find My item locations, we’ll be able to offer additional peace of mind to customers who travel with AirTag in their luggage,” said Annalisa Gigante, of British Airways parent company IAG.
“We’re always testing innovative solutions and enhancing our systems to ensure that checked bags reach their intended destination as quickly as possible.
“And we look forward to incorporating this solution into our lost baggage processes beginning later this year.”
You can buy an AirTag directly from Apple for £35 – or in a four-pack for £119 (that’s £29.75 each).
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HOW DO APPLE AIRTAGS WORK?
Here’s the official explanation from Apple…
“When youʼve left something far behind, like at the beach or the gym, the Find My network — hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad and Mac devices around the world — helps track down your AirTag,” Apple explains.
“And it is designed to protect your privacy every step of the way.
“Your AirTag sends out a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices in the Find My network.
“These devices send the location of your AirTag to iCloud – then you can go to the Find My app and see it on a map.
“The whole process is anonymous and encrypted to protect your privacy. And itʼs efficient, so thereʼs no need to worry about battery life or data usage.”
Apple added: “If someone else’s AirTag finds its way into your stuff, the network will notice it’s travelling with you and send your iPhone an alert.
“If you still havenʼt found it after a while, the AirTag will start playing a sound to let you know it’s there.”
Picture Credit: Apple
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LIST OF AIRLINES THAT SUPPORT AIRTAG TRACKING
The feature is still quite new, so not all airlines offer support for it.
However, many of the major airlines are already on board, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Here’s a list of confirmed AirTag-friendly airlines, in alphabetical order:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- Air New Zealand
- American Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Eurowings
- Iberia
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Swiss International Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Vueling
It’s likely that more airlines will join the roster in the future.
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