If you can’t track your AirTag anymore, you can turn on Lost Mode and hope someone finds it and returns it to you. AirTag Lost mode allows you to provide a phone number or email address. This way, the researcher can contact you. A notification can also be issued when your item is found!
How to activate AirTag lost mode
- 1. Open the Find my application on your iPhone.
- 2. Press on Articles (menu bottom right).
- 3. Press the AirTag name that you want to set as lost.
- 4. Expand the Options card and go to Lost mode.
- 5. If this is the first time you have enabled Lost Mode, its start screen will be displayed. Tap Carry on after reviewing the information.
- 6. Enter your Phone number or press Use an email address (for more privacy).
- 7. Tap following after filling in your details.
- 8. Activate Notify when found to receive a notification when your AirTag is detected.
Made: You can also customize the message for Finder or use custom text: ‘This item has been lost. Please send me an email. ‘ - 9. Tap Activate to activate lost mode.
Made: In lost mode, the AirTag remains linked to your Apple ID. The pairing lock prevents others from pairing your item.
Lost mode: email vs phone number
When Apple originally released AirTags, you could only provide a phone number as your lost mode contact information. iOS 14.6 also introduced the Email option.
My advice is to use your email address when activating lost mode. This is because it will not expose your phone number to strangers.
Plus, if you don’t have a privacy issue, think about who finds your AirTag. If you provide your phone number, they will need to contact you by phone, giving you their own contact details. This might cause the researcher to think twice before contacting you and returning your AirTag.
The downside to using an email address is that mail can be filtered out and never reach your primary inbox.
How are AirTags tracked
AirTags help you keep track of everyday items like backpack, purse, keys, wallet, luggage and more.
When an AirTag is nearby, it connects to your Apple device via Bluetooth to transmit its location.
IPhone 11 and 12 owners can even use precision search using the built-in feature U1 chip to get the exact location, with centimeter precision.
However, when an AirTag is out of range, it is tracked using the Find my network that uses any nearby Apple device to locate it.
In the unlikely event that no Apple device is in the area, Find My will let you know where it was last seen on the map. This is when you can use Lost mode and allow anyone with an NFC, Apple or Android compatible smartphone to scan your AirTag and send it back to you using the contact details provided by you.
How can you lose an AirTag?
However, in some situations, an AirTag can also get lost. For example, if you tie it to your luggage and the airline misplaces it. the Find my app will help you quickly detect where your belongings are. Its location can be relayed through someone else’s device through the Find My network, or you will be contacted by Finder by mail or message.
Disable AirTag lost mode
If you find the AirTag, you can turn off Lost Mode in: Find My -> Items -> AirTag -> Lost Mode -> Disable Lost Mode.
Tap Switch off to confirm.
Did you manage to find a lost AirTag using Lost Mode? What information did you use as a contact? Phone number or e-mail? How long did it take? Share your comments in the comments section.
Related: Find out how to update the AirTag firmware version.