Can I use an AirTag to track my dog?

AirTags are tracking devices developed by Apple, these were created to find keys, wallets, and other small devices that can be misplaced. However, you might ask yourself the question could you use AirtTag for tracking your pets?

How to Set Up AirTags

Although AirTags were not designed to keep track of your pets, you can use them for that purpose, and it is also very easy to set them up. All you need to do is simply connect the AirTag to your device, then add it to the pet’s collar.

How will AirTag Track My Pets?

AirTag uses ultra-wideband technology to send out a signal to the device. The ultra-wideband technology can transmit info across a wide bandwidth, anywhere from 500 MHz to several gigahertz. Therefore, it is compatible with different wireless technologies.

This Ultra-wideband technology is not something new on the market. Before it was known as “pulse radio” at the beginning of the century, it was also used in the military as well as medical equipment. As it is extremely precise and provides data in real-time, ultra-wideband technology is properly utilized in locating things.

The majority of pet trackers use GPS satellites and cellular connections to track their pets. Unlike other trackers, AirTags can’t connect to the internet. AirTag sends out secure Bluetooth signals to iCloud, informing the users of the location in real-time. To access the location, you open the “Find My” app on an Apple device.

However, say your pet runs away or gets lost, the AirTag will not be under the Bluetooth range anymore, in this case, you can put it in Lost Mode. Now, if your pet passes by any Apple user, you will automatically receive a notification. If someone finds your pet and notices the AirTag, they can tap it to look at the information you provided, for example, your name as well as the phone number, to contact you immediately.

The best part about the AirTags is that they are not limited to Apple users only – any device that has NFC functionality, including Android, can get the contact info by tapping the AirTag.

What are the upsides of Using AirTags with Pets? 

1. Efficiency – AirTags enables you to view the pet’s exact location at any time. If you use an iPhone 11 or 12, there is an option for Precision Finding – this enables you to view the exact distance and direction of your pet when in range.
2. Price – Unlike pet trackers that cost up to several hundred dollars, AirTags are cheap. The prices start from $29 apiece, which is a small price to pay considering the ease of finding your pet. You can also purchase a pack of 4 AirTags for $99.
3. Easy to set up – AirTags are extremely user-friendly. Just take it out of the box, then pull the tab to activate it. Hold a compatible mobile device next to the AirTag, a notification will appear on the device for you to set it up. Add a name to the AirTag, like, the name of your pet.
4. Size – AirTags is small & lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about them being too heavy for your pet. The diameter of the AirTag is 1.26 inches, its height is 0.31 inches, and it weighs around 0.39 ounces.
5. Battery life – AirTags has a great battery life, they last for about a year. If the battery is low, you will receive a notification asking you to change it. AirTag uses a CR2032 battery, it is often found in devices like remote controls. You can purchase them in nearly every store, and they are cheap.
6. Resistance – These are splash, water, and dust resistant, thus making them a great tracking device for a pet.
7. Personalization – if you order the AirTag from the Apple website or Apple Store app, the AirTag can be engraved for free. 
8. Security – Location is not stored inside the AirTag, and the location can only be accessed by you. A great feature is that iOS devices can detect an AirTag that isn’t with the owner. 
9. Multiple pet tracking – You can connect to 16 AirTags at once, if you have more than a single pet, AirTags can be a viable option.

What are the downsides of Using AirTags with Pets?

• To make it clear AirTags are not pet trackers, though AirTags can be used for tracking, they are meant for tracking objects.
• These don’t work everywhere, for example, if you live in a city or a town, AirTags will be great for tracking your pets. However, say you live in an area where there aren’t a lot of Apple users, then tracking your pet if it runs away will be an equal amount hard with or without AirTag, since there will be no devices nearby that can mark the location of the AirTag.
• Resistance limitations – Though these are advertised as being splash, water, as well as dust resistant, AirTags have their limitations, as well. Yes, they are water-resistant, however, only for up to 1 meter and up to 30 minutes. The resistance might also decrease with time. Say your pet likes to run around and swim, this will affect the resistance of the AirTag.
• Pets can damage it – People who own pets know how much pets play around. Actual pet trackers are built to sustain this kind of damage. As AirTags are not meant to be used for pet tracking, they are susceptible to damage, which can cause them to malfunction.
• Pets can lose it – Say unfortunately your pet gets lost or runs away, then loses the AirTag, you will be able to locate the AirTag, however, not the pet. If the AirTag is loose or has not properly been attached to your pet, it can easily detach. Since AirTags were not designed for pet tracking, Apple doesn’t offer any official accessories that can keep it attached to the pet.
• No Family Sharing options – As the location of an AirTag can only be viewed by the owner, you cannot share it with any family members. This can prove to be a problem for people from the same household, especially if AirTags are used to track pets. If someone from your household takes the dog for a walk, and the dog runs away during the walk, they will not be able to find the location of the dog or the AirTag. 

Should you Track your Pets using AirTags?

While AirTags wasn’t designed to track your pets, they can be used to fulfill that purpose. AirTags are cheaper, reliable, and also sport a long battery lifespan. If you live in urban areas, these will be efficient. However, if you want to take no chances and be sure that you will be able to track your pet at any given time and in any condition, it is recommended you invest in a tracker specifically designed for pets.

Note: If you do decide to track your pets using AirTags, make sure the AirTag is properly attached to the pet. Also check if the pet is comfortable with it, if it’s not, your pet might try to detach it.

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