Apple AirTag Not Working? 10 Tips to Fix AirTag Issues

When it comes to tracking items efficiently, AirTag comes close to being a perfect item tracker as compared toalternatives like Galaxy SmartTag. No wonder many are calling it the gold standard for 21st-century luggage tracking. Now, without undermining the rave reviews, Apple’s item tracker has had a fair share of issues even during the early days. While some users have stated that Apple AirTags are not working at all, others have found the much-talked-about “Precision Finding” inconsistent. Irrespective of what sort of problems have come your way, try out these 10 pro tips if your AirTag is not working or connecting to your iPhone.

AirTag Not Working or Connecting to iPhone? Try out These Fixes!

So, what could be causing the AirTag to misbehave? There could be more than one culprit behind the problem. Though network-related issues might be the wrecker-in-chief, you should never overlook a faulty battery as a possible concern. Besides, the incorrect setup may also be equally responsible. Therefore, we will look into all the possible causes and try thebest AirTag tips and tricksaccordingly.

1. Make Sure Two-Factor Authentication is Enabled

For AirTags to connect to your iPhone/ iPad, you must have two-factor authentication enabled. So, make sure toturn on 2FA on your iOS or iPadOS deviceif it isn’t already.

To enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID, head over toSettings -> [your name] -> Password & Security. Now, ensure that‘Two-Factor authentication’is on. You will need to enter your phone number and answer a few security questions to enable 2FA for your Apple ID.

2. Make Sure You Aren’t Using Managed Apple ID

Apple clearly states that if your iOS/ iPadOS device is using Managed Apple ID, you can’t set up an AirTag. So, if an AirTag is not connecting to your iPad or iPhone, be sure your device complies with this requirement.

For those unfamiliar, schools or colleges can create Managed Apple IDs for students to facilitate education. They are unique to each organization and separate from your standard Apple ID. To find out more about Managed Apple IDs and how they work, head over to theApple Support page.

3. Ensure That Find My is Enabled

Apart from being available as a full-fledged app, Find My comes with a system-wide switch located in the Settings app. So you can enable/ disable it depending on your needs. Head toSettings -> [your name] -> Find My -> Find My iPhone. Now, make sure theFind My iPhonetoggle is turned on.

4. Turn Off/ On Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular Network

Another thing you should do to fix the AirTag not working problem is to turn on/ off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and your cellular network. As they play a key role in helping AirTag work effectively, anysluggishness in iOS 14or ill-functioning on their part could be the cause of AirTag not connecting to your device.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Then, go to theWi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Mobile Data sectionsone after the other. Turn off the toggles for Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth, and restart your device.

After your device has restarted, head over to the Settings app and turn on the Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth toggles once again.

5. Turn Off/ On Location Services

Location Services needs to be enabled so that AirTags can work with precision. If you face issues, even if it’s turned on, disable/ enable the ‘Location Services’ toggle to get rid of any random glitch that may have cropped up. Navigate toSettings -> Privacy -> Location Servicesto turn it off. After that, restart your device and toggle it back on before trying to pair your AirTag.

6. AirTag Precision Finding Not Working? Try out These Fixes!

As the name suggests, Precision Finding lets you accurately determine the distance and direction of a misplaced AirTag when it is in the range. It uses the U1 chip, present in AirTags and the latestiPhone 12and iPhone 11 models, to precisely locate and communicate with each other.

The U1 chip takes advantage ofultra-wideband technologyand uses input from key components, including ARKit, accelerometer, gyroscope, and iPhone’s camera to guide you to a lost AirTag through haptics, sound, and visual feedback.

Unfortunately, ultra-wideband technology is restricted in some countries and regions. Thus, if Apple AirTag Precision Finding is not working on your iPhone 12 or iPhone 11, make sure that the technology is not blocked in your country or region.

Besides, make sure you have enabled Location Access for Find My. To do that, head over toSettings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> Find My. Now, choose “While Using the App” and turn on the “Precision Location” toggle as well.

7. Reset Network Settings

For the AirTag to work as expected, Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth must function properly. If they are facing issues, the item tracker will have a hard time connecting or working as intended. So, if you are still struggling to fix the AirTag not working issue, try resetting the network settings.

Navigate to theSettings appon your iPhone or iPad and tap onGeneral. Now, scroll down to the bottom and chooseReset. Next, tapReset Network Settings. After that, enter your device passcode and hit Reset Network Settings again. That should fix any miscellaneous network-related issues, which in turn could help fix issues with AirTag not working or connecting to your device.

8. Factory Reset AirTag

If none of the solutions above help fix the problem, it’s time to factory reset the AirTag. Since it has helped several users fix common AirTag issues, including the signal is weak, Precision Finding not working, and other connectivity issues, the chances are it could do the trick for you.

To reset an AirTag, you need to remove it from the Find My app. So open the Find My app and go to the‘Items’ tab. After that, choose the AirTag you want to reset. Then, swipe up to access AirTag settings and tap on the‘Remove item’option at the bottom. Finally, confirm your action by tapping on ‘Remove’ again.Credit: Apple

Once you have successfully reset AirTag, reconnect it to your iPhone or iPad. Just hold the AirTag near your device and tap the‘Connect’button that pops up on the screen. If you have multiple AirTags and see the“More than one AirTag detected”message, ensure that only one AirTag is near your device at a time.

9. Remove and Replace Your AirTag’s Battery

If your AirTag still misbehaves, remove and replace the battery. The user-replaceable CR2032 battery might be at fault. So, try changing it to see if it sorts out the issue.Credit: Apple

To do so, pull out theAirTag from its case/ accessory, and press down the stainless steel back of the AirTag with two fingers. While still pressing down, make sure torotate counterclockwiseuntil the cover stops rotating. Next, pull apart the two halves of the AirTag. Then, remove the old battery and place the new one. Here are a few links to the best CR2032 battery for AirTag on Amazon:

10. Update Software on Your iPhone and iPad

If AirTag continues to ill-function, it would be wise to go for a software update. Well, considering that Apple keeps rolling out software updates with a series of performance enhancements and bug fixes, it could help you with AirTag connectivity issues. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and go toGeneral -> Software Update. If there is any update available, download and install it.

Viable Tips and Tricks to Fix AirTag Not Working Issue

Well, that’s pretty much it! Hopefully, your AirTag has once again started to work normally. As I said above, network-related problems are usually the prime suspects, so fixing them resolves the most common AirTag issues. Besides, a factory reset is also quite reliable in sorting out the problem if your AirTag is not working or connecting to your iPhone.

By the way, which one of these tips has helped you troubleshoot your item tracker? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments below. If nothing has worked for you, it would be wise to contact Apple Support at the earliest as there could be hardware damage.

Rajesh Mishra

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

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