AirTag is a small and innovative device that you can attach to your belongings and track them using the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad. AirTag uses Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband, and the Find My network to locate your items and show their location on a map. However, sometimes you may notice that the location of your AirTag is not updated or accurate, and you may wonder how to refresh AirTag location. In this article, we will explain how to refresh AirTag location and what factors may affect the location accuracy of your AirTag.

How to Refresh AirTag Location

There are several ways to refresh AirTag location depending on the situation and the version of the device you are using. Here are some of them:

• If you have an iPhone 11 or later model running iOS 14.5 or higher (or iPadOS 14.5+), then you can use the Precision Finding feature to find the precise location of your AirTag when it is nearby. To use Precision Finding, open the Find My app and tap on the item you have attached the AirTag. Then, tap on Find and follow the onscreen instructions. You will see an arrow pointing in the direction of your AirTag, an approximate distance telling you how far away it is, and a notice if it is located on a different floor. You can also play a sound on your AirTag to help you locate it.

• If you have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.3 or higher (or iPadOS 14.3+), then you can use the Play Sound feature to play a sound on your AirTag when it is within Bluetooth range of your device. To use Play Sound, open the Find My app and tap on the item that has an AirTag attached to it. Then, tap on Play Sound and wait for your AirTag to make a sound. You can also see the location of your AirTag on a map if it is connected to the Find My network.

• Also, you can use the Notify When Found feature to get a notification when your AirTag is located by the Find My network. The Find My network is a crowdsourced network of millions of Apple devices that can detect and report the location of your AirTag anonymously and securely. To use Notify When Found, open the Find My app and tap on the item. Then, turn on Notify When Found and wait for a notification when your AirTag is located.

• If none of the above methods work, then you can try resetting the network settings on your iPhone or iPad. Resetting the network settings will clear out any saved network passwords and VPN settings that may interfere with the connection between your device and your AirTag. To reset network settings, follow this; Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings and confirm by tapping on Reset Network Settings again.

What Factors Affect AirTag Location Accuracy

The location accuracy of your AirTag depends on various factors, such as:

• The battery level of your AirTag: Your AirTag uses a CR2032 coin cell battery that lasts for about a year under normal usage. However, if the battery level is low, it may affect the performance and connectivity of your AirTag. You can check the battery level of your AirTag by opening the Find My app and tapping on the item, and then tap on Battery and see if it needs replacement.

• The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings of your iPhone or iPad: Your iPhone or iPad uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to communicate with your AirTag and locate it on a map. However, if these settings are turned off or not working properly, it may affect the location accuracy of your AirTag. You can check and adjust these settings by going to Settings > Bluetooth and Settings > Wi-Fi and making sure they are turned on and connected.

• The availability of Ultra Wideband technology: Ultra Wideband (UWB) is a technology that allows for precise spatial awareness and directional information between devices. Precision Finding uses UWB to locate your AirTag more accurately when nearby. However, UWB is only available on certain iPhone models (iPhone 11 or later) running iOS 14.5 or higher (or iPadOS 14.5+). Moreover, due to regulatory restrictions, UWB may not be available in some regions. You can check if UWB is available on your device by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Networking & Wireless and seeing if there is an option for UWB.

• The presence of other Apple devices nearby: Your AirTag relies on other Apple devices nearby to connect to the Find My network and update its location on a map. However, if there are no other Apple devices nearby or they are not signed in with an Apple ID, it may affect the location accuracy of your AirTag. You can increase the chances of finding your AirTag by asking your friends or family who have Apple devices to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and sign in with their Apple ID.

Conclusion

In conclusion, refreshing AirTag location can be done in different ways depending on the situation and the device you are using. You can use Precision Finding, Play Sound, Notify When Found, or reset network settings to refresh AirTag location. However, you should also be aware of the factors that may affect the location accuracy of your AirTag such as battery level, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings, Ultra Wideband technology, and other Apple devices nearby.

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