Since iOS 17, it has been possible to permanently share an AirTag with other Apple users. From iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2, this has been expanded and you can also temporarily share Apple’s tracker via a secure link.
From the Find My app it is possible to temporarily share the location of a lost AirTag with other users. After sharing, the AirTag’s location will be visible on Apple’s find my website. In this way, other users can, for example, track your suitcase, car or other items.
Solution for lost items
Have you lost items with an AirTag or find my accessory attached to them? Then you can enable Lost Mode and consult the Find My app to locate the AirTag. Until now, only owners and people with whom you had enabled AirTag location sharing could track down Apple’s tracker.
Under iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2, Apple has expanded this and makes it possible to temporarily share the location of a lost AirTag with other users from the Find My app. Once shared, the AirTag’s location will be visible on Apple’s Find My website and other people can help you find it.
Sharing will stop automatically
The new feature is only intended for lost belongings linked to the Find My app. You can share the location of an AirTag or an accessory of the ‘Find My’ network with third parties, such as airlines, in a simple and secure way.
Privacy and security are central to the design of ‘Find My’. Therefore, the shared location is automatically disabled once the user and the item are reunited, but can also be stopped by the owner at any time. The link expires automatically after seven days.
Share object location in Find My app
- Open the Find My app
- Navigate to the ‘Objects’ tab
- Select an item from the list
- Tap or click ‘Share object location’
- Follow the steps on the screen
You can then share the link with other people. Recipients of the link gain access to a website with an interactive map showing the location of the item. The website is automatically updated when a new location is known, and the time of the last update is displayed.
Want to permanently share the location of an AirTag or Find My accessory? Then you can link up to five people to an item.
Share contact information
If you prefer, you can also share contact information so that people who find your Find My item can contact you. Under ‘Lost object’, tap ‘Show contact details’ and fill in the desired information.
Cooperation with airlines
In the coming months, almost 20 airlines with millions of customers – Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines , Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling – include this form of location sharing in their service to customers who want to find lost luggage as quickly as possible. More airlines will be added in the long run.
Apple has helped participating companies implement systems to implement Share Item Location while respecting privacy and security. This uses the hundreds of thousands of Apple devices that many airlines already use. Access to the link is limited to a few people, and recipients must confirm their identity using their Apple Account or email address to use the link.