Can AirTags Help You Find Anything You Lost in Thailand?

AirTags and other GPS trackers you can add to your valuable belongings are very helpful. We put one on a necklace for our daughter when she went to Singapore with her school class. We always knew where she was. We track the cat and our car keys too! You should really think about adding them to some of your favorite items before you travel to Thailand and lose something.

What Are AirTags GOOD at Helping You Find?

1. Keys. AirTags are perfect for attaching to your keychain, making sure you can quickly locate your keys when lost.
2. Wallets/Purses. Attach an AirTag to your wallet or purse to help you quickly locate these essential items, especially when you’re in a rush.
3. Backpacks. Whether you’re traveling, hiking, or commuting, AirTags can help you keep track of your backpack and its contents.
4. Luggage. Attach an AirTag to your suitcase or travel bag to ensure that you can easily locate it at the Thailand airports or during your travels. Of course, if the baggage staff steal your bag, they’ll remove the AirTag so hide it well.
5. Expensive Electronics. AirTags can be attached to laptops, tablets, cameras, and other electronic devices to help prevent loss or theft.
6. Bicycles. Secure an AirTag to your bike frame or seat to help deter theft and assist in recovery if your bike is ever stolen in Thailand.
7. Pets. While not specifically designed for pets, some users have attached AirTags to their pet’s collar to help locate them if they wander off.
8. Remote Controls. Keep track of your TV remote, game controller, or other small electronic devices by attaching an AirTag to them.

What Are AirTags NOT GOOD at Helping You Find?

1. Living Things. AirTags are not designed for tracking living beings like pets or children. They can be attached to pet collars, but they may not provide reliable location tracking for moving targets. We track our cat with one and it works fine because usually she is just hiding in a neighbor’s yard.
2. Large Vehicles. While AirTags can be attached to vehicles like bicycles or scooters, they may not be effective for tracking larger vehicles like cars or motorcycles due to their limited range and size. Once the vehicle stops, you can get a good reading.
3. Valuable Jewelry. While you can attach AirTags to jewelry items, they may not be suitable for highly valuable or delicate pieces, as they could be easily removed or damaged.
4. Water Sports Equipment. While AirTags are water-resistant, they may not be suitable for tracking items like surfboards, kayaks, or snorkeling gear that are frequently submerged in water. Definitely not recommended for water use.
5. Items in Motion. AirTags rely on Bluetooth connectivity and may not be effective for tracking items that are constantly in motion, such as sports equipment during use or items attached to moving vehicles. This is the biggest drawback of the device.
6. High-Theft Items. While AirTags can help deter theft and assist in recovery, they may not be the best solution for high-theft items like smartphones or high-end electronics, as thieves may remove or disable them.
7. Items in Remote Areas. AirTags rely on proximity to other Apple devices for location tracking, so they may not be effective for tracking items in remote or sparsely populated areas with limited device coverage.
8. Sensitive Documents. While AirTags can be attached to bags or briefcases containing sensitive documents, they may not be suitable for tracking highly confidential or classified materials due to potential security risks if the AirTag is discovered.

What Do AirTags Do?

AirTags are small, circular tracking devices designed to help you keep track of your belongings. They work by using the “Find My” network, which leverages the Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple devices to locate lost items.

When you misplace an item with an AirTag attached, you can use the Find My app on your iPhone or other Apple devices to locate it. The AirTag emits a sound to help you find it visually, and it also provides precise directions on a map within the Find My app.

AirTag Specs

• Small and easy to conceal. They are 1.26 inches (32mm) in diameter and 0.31 inches (8mm) thick.
• Lightweight design (11.8 grams with battery) and compact, making them easy to attach to all kinds of items.
• Each AirTag costs about $29 (USD), but you can purchase them in packs for a little less per tag.
• Apple also offers accessories like key-rings and loops to help you attach AirTags to different objects. Buy the generic much cheaper ones!
• They are durable – and built with a stainless steel exterior and IP67 water and dust resistance, making them relatively tough and waterproof.

How Is Performance?

AirTags rely on Bluetooth connectivity to communicate with nearby Apple devices, not only your own, but anyone’s. They work best within a range of about 100 feet (30 meters) from another Apple device in ideal conditions. If an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range from your own phone or computer, it can still be located using the Find My network, which relies on the signals from other nearby Apple devices to relay its location.

Do Apple AirTags Have Any Limitations in Thailand?

• AirTags require the presence of nearby Apple devices with Bluetooth and the Find My app to be enabled.
• They won’t work well in areas with sparse Apple device coverage or if the item is located far away from populated areas.
• Additionally, AirTags are not equipped with GPS, so they rely on proximity to Apple devices for location tracking.
• They require a pouch to hold it in. Apple does not supply one, but they sell some as accessories.
• The battery lasts about 1 year.
• IP67 Waterproof is not fully waterproof.
• Not crushproof or dustproof.

Scenario – Losing Your Drone (with an AirTag) on a Remote Phuket Thailand Island 3 kilometers Away

If you were to lose your drone on an island 3 km away with no one else present, the effectiveness of the AirTag would be non-existent. Since AirTags rely on Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple devices, their range is typically limited to about 100 feet (30 meters). Someone with an Apple Bluetooth-enabled device would have to come within 100 meters of your drone for you to get a reading on it.