Tests prove the power of AirTags, and it’s not all good news…
Apple recently launched AirTags, tiny tracking devices you can slip into your wallet or keep in a backpack so you’ll never lose it again. We’ve had a play with a few AirTags, and the way they work is genuinely impressive – see our hands-on for 10 things you need to know about how they work.
But one thing we’ve noticed since they became available is the number of amateur experimenters testing the limits of the technology. Here are three AirTag trials we think you should know about.
Mailing an AirTag to myself: here, a Dutch YouTuber tests the capabilities of AirTag by sticking one in the post and using Find My to track its whereabouts. Once marked as lost, the AirTag records its location every time it passes somebody connected to the Find My network (i.e. most iPhone users). Using this information it’s possible to create a pretty accurate map of its journey through the mail!
AirTag vs Bike Thief: this YouTube video simulates what might happen if you have your AirTag-connected bike pinched. Turns out it’s remarkably easy to track and retrieve your property – so long as the thief doesn’t simply detach the AirTag, that is. People will have to get clever about where they hide these things on their possessions to avoid them being immediately discarded when stolen.
The AirTag stalking test: not all the use cases are positive, though. This Washington Post article looks at how Apple’s tracking devices could potentially be used by stalkers. It claims that the technology makes it “frightening easy” to track somebody’s location without their knowledge, which is a scary thought. Apple says it has safeguards in place, but according to this article, they aren’t yet doing enough.