How to Connect an AirTag to Your iPhone or iPad

Connect an AirTag in four steps

To connect an AirTag, unlock your iPhone or iPad, hold the AirTag near the device, and tap the notification that appears. You'll be asked to name the tag (like "Keys" or "Wallet"), choose which Apple account it belongs to, and confirm. The whole process takes about a minute. After that, the AirTag uses Bluetooth to stay in contact with your device and report its location.

The AirTag will only work with an Apple device that has Bluetooth turned on. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on in Settings before you start. You need to be signed into an Apple ID on the device you're pairing with — the AirTag will be linked to that account, not to a phone number or email address.

Key Takeaways

Hold an AirTag near your unlocked iPhone or iPad and tap the setup notification that appears automatically.
You must be signed into an Apple ID on the device you're pairing with, and Bluetooth must be turned on.
Name your AirTag something you'll recognize, like the item you're tracking or the person who will carry it.
After setup, the AirTag connects through Bluetooth and can be located using the Find My app on any of your Apple devices.

Before you start: what you need

You need an iPhone 11 or newer, an iPad with iPadOS 15.1 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer. The device must have Bluetooth enabled — you can check this in Settings under Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is off, the setup notification won't appear when you hold the AirTag nearby.

You also need to be signed into an Apple ID on the device. If you're not sure whether you're signed in, open Settings, tap your name at the top, and look for your Apple ID email address. If you don't have an Apple ID, you'll need to create one before pairing the AirTag.

The AirTag comes with a battery already installed, so you don't need to buy one separately. The battery lasts about a year under normal use.

The step-by-step pairing process

Step 1: Unlock your device and turn on Bluetooth. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle is green (on). Then unlock your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch and keep it nearby.

Step 2: Hold the AirTag close to your device. Bring the AirTag within a few inches of your unlocked device. Within a few seconds, a notification will pop up on your screen that says something like "Set up AirTag?" or shows a picture of the AirTag. You don't need to open an app — the notification appears automatically.

Step 3: Tap the notification and choose a name. Tap "Set Up" or the notification itself. The device will ask you to name the AirTag. Choose something specific: "House Keys," "Wallet," "Dog Collar," or "Mom's Purse" works better than just "AirTag." The name is how you'll find it later in the Find My app.

Step 4: Confirm your Apple ID and finish. The device will confirm that the AirTag is being added to your Apple ID account. Tap "Continue" or "Done" to complete the setup. The AirTag is now connected and will show up in your Find My app.

What to do if the setup notification doesn't appear

If you hold the AirTag near your device and no notification pops up, check that Bluetooth is turned on. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle is green. If it's already on, turn it off, wait five seconds, and turn it back on.

If Bluetooth is on and the notification still doesn't appear, restart your device. For an iPhone or iPad, press and hold the power button until you see "Slide to Power Off," then slide to turn it off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Try holding the AirTag near your device again.

If you're still not seeing the notification, make sure you're signed into an Apple ID. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, and check that your Apple ID email is showing. If you're not signed in, tap "Sign In to Your iPhone" and enter your Apple ID credentials.

Finding your AirTag after it's connected

Once the AirTag is set up, open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap the "Items" tab at the bottom, and you'll see your AirTag listed by the name you gave it. Tap the name to see its location on a map. If the AirTag is nearby, you can tap "Find" to make it play a sound so you can locate it by ear.

If your AirTag is far away and you can't find it, the Find My app will show you its last known location. The AirTag uses Bluetooth to stay connected to your device, so if it's out of Bluetooth range, it relies on other Apple devices nearby to report its location. This is called the Find My network, and it works even if the AirTag is lost.

Pairing an AirTag with a different Apple device

An AirTag is linked to one Apple ID, but you can use it with multiple devices that are signed into the same account. If you want to use the same AirTag on your iPhone and your iPad, both devices must be signed into the same Apple ID. The AirTag will automatically appear in the Find My app on both devices.

If you want to transfer an AirTag to a different Apple ID — for example, if you're giving it to someone else — you'll need to remove it from your account first. Open Find My, tap "Items," tap the AirTag, scroll down, and tap "Remove Item." Then the other person can set it up on their device using the same four-step process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect an AirTag to an Android phone?

No. AirTags only work with Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. Android phones cannot set up or track AirTags. If you need to track items on an Android device, you'll need a different type of tracking tag.

Do I need Wi-Fi to connect an AirTag?

No. AirTags use Bluetooth to connect to your device, not Wi-Fi. However, your device does need an internet connection to use Find My and see the AirTag's location on a map. Bluetooth itself doesn't require internet.

What happens if I lose the AirTag after I set it up?

The Find My app will show you the AirTag's last known location. If it's out of Bluetooth range, other Apple devices in the Find My network will report its location when they pass nearby. You can also mark it as lost in the Find My app, and anyone who finds it can scan it with their phone to see your contact information.

Can two people share one AirTag?

Not directly. An AirTag belongs to one Apple ID. However, if two people share an Apple ID on the same device, they can both see and track the AirTag. For separate accounts, each person would need their own AirTag.

How do I know if my device is compatible?

You need iPhone 11 or newer, iPad with iPadOS 15.1 or newer, or Apple Watch Series 6 or newer. Check your device's model in Settings under "General" and then "About." If your device is older than these models, it won't be able to set up or track AirTags.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.