Not only can you track the live location of your pet, but you can also report your dog or cat as missing by using the lost mode. Users in the area will then know exactly who the dog or cat belongs to. How do these trackers and the lost mode work? And can you only use the tracker for dogs or is the Apple AirTag also suitable for cats?
What is an Apple AirTag?
Originally, the Apple AirTag was developed to prevent lost luggage or bags. However, these small handy trackers can also be used to track your dog or cat. The AirTag is a small round disk that is equipped with Bluetooth and corresponds to the Find My application on your iPhone
The location of the tracker, and therefore also of your pet, can be determined accurately in this way. In addition, an Apple AirTag is lightweight and can withstand water, dust and dirt. But how do they actually work?
How does an AirTag work?
Do you want to follow your pet with a tracker? Then you want to know how an Apple AirTag works exactly. If your dog or cat is no further than 100 meters away from you, the Apple AirTag uses Bluetooth. Your phone makes contact with the tracker via the Find My application. This then emits a subtle but clear sound.
- Tracker with sound and microphone
- Find My application for iPhones
- Precision finding for accurate location
The tags also have an integrated microphone. If cats or dogs with an AirTag collar are outside the Bluetooth range, the location is determined with the iPhone Find My network. Within this network you can also report a lost pet. The report is encrypted and secured, but can be picked up by devices within the range of the Find My network of your iPhone. The chance that you will quickly find your dog, cat or other missing pet is therefore much greater.
What is lost mode?
The Apple AirTag also has a lost mode. As you could read above, you can report your pet as missing in this mode. As soon as your dog or cat is found, you will receive a notification on your iPhone. You can also remotely block the tag that your pet is wearing. This way you can prevent the AirTag from being linked to another Apple ID. You can even leave your phone number and email.
- Easy to set up lost mode
- Can be blocked remotely
- Option to leave email and phone number
Don’t worry about your privacy, because this data is used fully encrypted. Putting the Apple AirTag in lost mode is very easy. You do this in the Find My application on your phone. Under items you can select the AirTag that you want to put in lost mode. Then you only have to turn on this mode by scrolling down. This way you can find your beloved dog or cat faster and easier.
Can you use the Apple AirTag for cats?
Yes, you can also use the AirTag for cats. This is best done in combination with a cat collar for an Apple AirTag. The tracker is no bigger than a coin and fits exactly in the recess of the collar. This means that both the AirTag and the tracker can be safely worn by cats. The collars are made of flexible silicone. So you don’t have to worry about suffocation. For example, because the strap remains stuck to a branch if your cat likes to climb trees. That is safe and reassuring.
- Collar made of flexible material for extra safety
- Light weight for cats
- Easy to attach
- Dust and water resistant
You can also use an Apple AirTag for cats because they are lightweight. Your little tiger will not be bothered by the tracker when it is worn in a collar. In addition, the tags are very easy to attach. You can track your cat’s route via your iPhone. You can even do this with an accuracy of a few meters if you use the “precision finding” in the application. Do your cats also go outside in rain or bad weather? The Apple AirTag will continue to function then. They are dust and water resistant. Do you have multiple cats? You can link up to 16 AirTags to the Find My app on the iPhone.
How Well Does the Apple AirTag Pet Tracker Really Work?
Although Apple’s AirTags are actually intended for tracking luggage, bags or wallets, they also work very well as pet trackers. Especially in combination with a suitable Airtag collar for cats and dogs. The tags are lightweight so that your pet will hardly notice them. In addition, they are easy to attach.
- Accurate location
- Bluetooth connection with 100 meter range
- Find My network for location at greater distances
- Lost mode with secure connection
- Long battery life
- Storage in iCloud
AirTags are also resistant to dust, dirt and rain. You can determine the location of your pet very accurately. For example, by using Bluetooth or the Find My network if your dog or cat is further from home than 100 meters. The lost mode is also a reason why an Apple AirTag works well as a tracker for pets. Of course, there are also things to take into account if you want to track your dogs or cats with an AirTag.
It is important to attach the tag properly to your dog or cat’s collar. You want to prevent the tracker from coming loose or your pet from hurting itself unnecessarily. Naturally, you will no longer be able to follow your pet’s adventures. A well-fitting collar that is suitable for AirTags is therefore definitely recommended. These AirTag collars for animals are often also equipped with an adjustable buckle and reflection. This means that your cat or dog is also clearly visible in poor visibility or in the dark.
How big is an airtag?
- Diameter: 31.9 mm (1.26 inches)
- Height: 8.0 mm (0.31 inches)
- Weight: 11 grams (0.39 ounces)
Would I recommend the Apple AirTag as a cat tracker?
Yes, I would definitely recommend the Apple AirTag pet tracker for cats. First of all, because the tag is very lightweight. Cats usually don’t notice that they are carrying a tracker. It is also nice that there are special silicone cat collars for AirTags.
- No loose parts
- Safe to use with matching strap
- Long lifespan
- Scratch-resistant
- De tracker past precies in de uitsparing waardoor jouw kat geen last heeft of hinder ondervindt van bungelende hangertjes. Dat maakt ze ook een hele veilige optie voor katten.
The round tag is integrated into the collar, which keeps it streamlined. I find that an advantage because I don’t have to worry about my cat getting tangled.
In lost mode you can leave your contact details. For example, if you want to quickly find your pet if it goes missing. Devices in the vicinity can detect this information. So there is a good chance that your cat will quickly return to you after a loss. I recommend the Apple AirTag not only for cats, but certainly also for dogs.
There is no worse feeling than not knowing where your beloved animal is or when your cat does not show up at its automatic food bowl in the evening. By looking at the Find My application on the iPhone, you can see the location very precisely. If your cat or dog is within a radius of 100 meters from the phone, you can also find your animal by means of a sound that is emitted by the AirTag. So you can not only see your cat or dog via the phone, but also hear it via the tracker.
Personal Experiences Apple Airtag
“In our family of three—my husband, our cat, and I—we are constantly looking for ways to balance our cat’s freedom with our own peace of mind. Given our concerns about potential unwanted guests, such as mice, we decided not to install a cat flap. This led us to use technology to help us: using an AirTag for our cat.
The decision to use an AirTag collar for our cat came from the need to ensure his safety while allowing him the freedom to explore our small yard and surroundings. We lived in a densely populated area, where the Apple AirTag range was maximized. The effectiveness of the AirTag is not limited by physical distance, but instead is determined by the number of Apple devices in the vicinity. Fortunately, the high density of iPhones and iPads in our neighborhood meant that we could track the AirTag live via the Find Me app.
One of the most useful features we discovered was the ability to use an AirTag on multiple iPhones within our household. This meant that every member of our family, each equipped with their own iPhone, could track our cat’s location in real-time. It gave us an extra sense of security knowing that we could all help monitor his adventures.
Finding the right Apple AirTag cat collar was crucial for us. Not only did the collar need to securely hold the AirTag, but it also needed to be comfortable for our cat to wear. After some research, we found a collar that was specifically designed to meet these criteria.
Reflecting on our experience, using an AirTag for our cat has given us a lot of peace of mind. It answered our question: “What is the range of an AirTag?” by showing us that, as long as there are enough Apple devices nearby, we can support our cat’s freedom without losing sight of his safety. For families like ours, who want to ensure the safety of their pet in an urban environment, using an AirTag, in combination with a special AirTag collar for cats, offers an ideal solution. It allows us to track our beloved pet live and keep control while he enjoys his adventures outside.
Unfortunately, due to the way this tag works (it doesn’t send its location all the time, but only sends it when it’s found by a device), we sometimes notice that our cat’s location hasn’t been updated for a long time. This means that he could be anywhere at that moment. To fix this, you either have to go to the last known place where the tag was detected and just walk around there to detect the tag with your phone, usually that’s enough to find it. Right at this point, another handy feature comes in handy – you can play a sound on the AirTag to detect it, this makes finding your pet a lot easier. We also noticed that our cat started to associate this sound with us looking for him, so he knows to come back. Another great feature, but this time from the collar – it reflects light, making your cat much more visible in the headlights of a car.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can you pair an AirTag with multiple phones?
Yes! With the iOS 17 update, you can now share an AirTag with up to five other people in addition to yourself. This means a total of six people with an Apple ID can track the location of the AirTag using the Find My app. It is important to note that everyone must be running iOS 17 or later for this to work. If you are running iOS 16 or earlier, it will not work.
2.What is the best cat collar for airtag
The best cat collar for an AirTag should be comfortable, secure, and lightweight, with a built-in AirTag keeper. Look for a collar with a safety buckle (such as a breakaway), adjustability for a secure fit, and preferably reflective elements for visibility in the dark. Popular option is this.
3. Why isn’t my AirTag showing up in Find My Device?
If your AirTag is not visible in Find Me, the following reasons may be at play:
- Not set up correctly: Make sure the AirTag is paired properly. Try resetting it and adding it again in the Find My app via Items > Add Item.
- Bluetooth or Location turned off: Make sure Bluetooth and Location are turned on via Settings > Bluetooth and Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
- Empty battery: The AirTag battery may be empty. Replace the battery if necessary.
- Out of range: The AirTag may be too far from your device. It must be within Bluetooth range or near other devices in the Find My network.
- Software issue: Make sure you have the latest version of iOS via Settings > General > Software Update.
- Not linked to your Apple ID: Make sure the AirTag is linked to your Apple ID. Reset it if it is still linked to another Apple ID.
4. How does an airtag range work?
An AirTag works via Bluetooth and uses Apple’s Find My network to transmit its location. The range of the AirTag depends on a few factors:
- Bluetooth Range: Within a direct range of about 30 to 50 meters, your iPhone or other Bluetooth device can immediately detect the AirTag.
- Find My Network: Outside of Bluetooth range, the AirTag uses other Apple devices (such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs) in the vicinity. These devices anonymously send the location of the AirTag to its owner. This network works worldwide and can help you find the AirTag even when it’s far away.
- Ultra Wideband (UWB): For iPhones with the U1 chip (such as the iPhone 11 or later), the pinpoint search function can be used to locate the AirTag to within a few centimeters when it’s nearby.
5. Are AirTags waterproof?
AirTags are water resistant but not waterproof, so avoid submerging them in water or exposing them to excessive moisture.
