Use Find My to locate your AirTag from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Open the Find My app on any Apple device linked to your account. Tap the Items tab at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of all your AirTags. Tap the one you left in your car, and the app will show its last known location on a map.

If your AirTag is nearby and powered on, Find My will display its distance and direction from you. You can tap Play Sound to make the AirTag emit a loud beep — this works even if your car is locked, as long as the AirTag is inside. The sound is loud enough to hear through car doors and windows from several feet away.

If your AirTag is far away or the battery is dead, Find My shows only the last location where it was detected by another Apple device. This location updates whenever an Apple device comes near your AirTag and connects to Apple's network.

Key Takeaways

  • The Find My app shows your AirTag's location on a map and can play a sound to help you locate it in your car.
  • If your AirTag is powered on and nearby, Find My displays its exact distance and direction from you.
  • If your AirTag is dead or far away, Find My shows only the last location where another Apple device detected it.
  • You can ask Siri to find your AirTag by saying "Find my AirTag" if you have set up a name for it.
  • Precision Finding works on iPhone 11 and newer models to guide you directly to your AirTag using the camera.

Use Precision Finding on newer iPhones to walk directly to your AirTag

If you have an iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, you can use Precision Finding to navigate straight to your AirTag. Open Find My, tap your AirTag, and tap Find Nearby. The app uses your phone's camera and sensors to point you toward the AirTag with on-screen arrows and distance updates.

Precision Finding works best when your AirTag is within 30 feet and has power. Walk in the direction the app indicates, and the arrows will guide you closer. When you are within a few feet, the app will show you the AirTag's exact location — useful if it has slipped under a seat or into a door pocket.

Ask Siri to find your AirTag by name

If you have named your AirTag in the Find My app, you can use Siri as a faster shortcut. Press and hold the side button on your iPhone (or say "Hey Siri"), then say "Find my [AirTag name]" — for example, "Find my car keys." Siri will open Find My and show you the location immediately.

This method works on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Siri enabled. Naming your AirTags makes them easier to find in a list if you own multiple ones.

Check the last known location if your AirTag is offline

When your AirTag's battery is dead or it has been offline for a while, Find My stops updating its location in real time. Instead, the app shows the last place where another Apple device detected it. This location can be hours or days old depending on how long your car has been parked away from other Apple users.

If your car is parked in a busy area — a parking lot, street, or garage — the last known location is usually accurate. If your car is parked in a remote location, the location may be stale. In either case, the map will show you where to start looking.

Replace the battery if your AirTag stops responding

AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that lasts about one year with normal use. When the battery dies, Find My will no longer show the AirTag's location or play a sound. You can buy a CR2032 battery at any pharmacy, grocery store, or electronics retailer for a few dollars.

To replace it, press down on the stainless steel back of the AirTag and twist counterclockwise until the cover pops off. Remove the old battery, insert the new one with the positive side facing up, and twist the cover back on until it clicks. The AirTag will reconnect to Find My within a few seconds.

Use Lost Mode if you cannot find your AirTag

If Find My shows your AirTag in a location you cannot reach — such as a tow lot or impound — you can enable Lost Mode in the Find My app. Tap your AirTag, scroll down, and tap Lost Mode. You can enter a phone number or email address that will appear on the AirTag's lock screen if someone finds it.

When Lost Mode is on, the AirTag will still send location updates to Find My whenever it is detected by another Apple device. This allows you to track it even if it leaves your car. If your car was towed or stolen, Lost Mode keeps the AirTag reporting its location until you recover it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my AirTag if it is in another person's car?

Yes, as long as the AirTag is powered on. Find My will show its location on the map. However, if the other person's car is parked and no Apple devices are nearby, the location will not update until an Apple device comes close again. The last known location will still help you narrow down where the car is.

Does Find My work if my iPhone is offline?

No. Your iPhone needs an internet connection to access Find My and see your AirTag's location. If you are in an area without cell service or Wi-Fi, open Find My when you have a connection again and it will show the last known location of your AirTag.

What if someone else's AirTag is in my car?

If an AirTag you do not own is traveling with you, your iPhone will notify you after 15 minutes. You can tap the notification to see the AirTag's location and owner information. If you believe the AirTag was placed without permission, you can disable it by removing its battery.

Can I find my AirTag if I do not have an Apple device with me?

You can sign into iCloud.com on any computer or Android phone and open Find My through the web browser. This will show your AirTag's last known location on a map, though you will not be able to play a sound or use Precision Finding.