Apple has a variety of products and services it offers consumers, with one cool product being AirTags, which allows you to find your personal property.
However, have you been wondering: do AirTags need Wi-Fi to operate? If so, don’t stop reading because I’ve been researching this question and have the answer plus so much more below!
Do AirTags Need Wi-Fi?
AirTags don’t need Wi-Fi if you’re within about 100 meters from your iPhone, since the AirTags use Bluetooth as the main way to communicate with your iPhone. However, you’ll need Internet access to use the “Find My” feature for the AirTags if you lose them, and you’ll need location data enabled in 2024.
Do you have even more questions about AirTags, like how far away they work? If so, keep reading to find out even more about AirTags and how they work!
How Far Away Does AirTag Work?
AirTags seem to work at a distance between 30 feet and 100 feet, which is the maximum range for Bluetooth technology, and AirTags mainly use Bluetooth to communicate with your iPhone.
However, multiple factors can alter the range, including obstructions impeding the signal, such as metal walls or buildings, and concrete also will hinder the signal of AirTags.
Also, other environmental factors can come into play. So, while you may have AirTags extend 100 feet sometimes, there could be times when the signal is hindered and it’s only 40 feet.
Does AirTags Use Wi-Fi?
AirTags do use Wi-Fi and will need an Internet connection for the Find My app to work the best, and Find My will help you locate the items that the AirTags are tracking.
Furthermore, if you’d like to get the best experience with the AirTags, you should have Wi-Fi setup and be connected with your AirTags.
That being said, AirTags don’t primarily use Wi-Fi, since they use Bluetooth technology to communicate with your iPhone.
Do AirTags Work From Anywhere?
AirTags will work from anywhere, provided you have your iPhone somewhere nearby so that the Bluetooth signal from the AirTags can be picked up and detected.
However, you don’t need to have an iPhone to use AirTags, since you can use any Apple device running iOS 14.5 or higher that has Find My installed.
Therefore, the AirTags will work from anywhere that you have an Apple device within 100 feet so that Find My will work, such as your iPad, Macbook, iPod Touch, or your iPhone.
Do You Need Data for AirTags?
You don’t need data for AirTags because they use Bluetooth to primarily communicate and also use ultra-wideband technology.
In addition, AirTags work in combination with an Apple device from within the Find My network so that your AirTags can be located, and the location is then pinged to iCloud securely.
Furthermore, this process of communicating is encrypted and anonymous, so you don’t need to worry about that or about using your data, since AirTags don’t use cellular.
Does AirTag Have GPS?
AirTags don’t use GPS to help you locate items, and instead work with Bluetooth and the Find My network to help you track your property.
Specifically, the AirTags will send the location information to iCloud where it’s securely stored, and then you can log into the Find My app to find your AirTags if they are within 100 feet.
What Network Do AirTags Use?
AirTags use the Find My network, which is a crowdsourced network where AirTags can be detected and then reported anonymously using its built-in Bluetooth signal.
Additionally, it’s estimated that more than one billion devices are working worldwide that are on the Find My network as of early 2021.
Do AirTags Only Work With Bluetooth?
While AirTags primarily use Bluetooth technology, they can also use ultra-wideband technology.
However, only the iPhone 11 and newer have this technology, since it requires an Apple U1 chip.
To know more, you can also read our posts on AppleCare, do AirTags work with Android, and do AirTags need to be charged.
Conclusion
AirTags don’t need Wi-Fi to operate and primarily use Bluetooth, since Bluetooth is how AirTags communicate with a nearby iPhone or other iOS devices.
That being said, if you want to get the best experience out of the AirTags, you will need Wi-Fi, since AirTags use the Find My network to scan and locate devices.
