Apple AirTag: Privacy protection and battery maintenance

Apple AirTags utilize Bluetooth signals and the ‘Find My’ network, which includes nearly 2 billion devices, to track items. To protect user privacy against unauthorized tracking, iPhones automatically issue warnings if a foreign AirTag or compatible tracker is moving with a user. For these alerts to function, users must have Bluetooth, location services, and tracking notifications enabled in the ‘Find My’ app.

Android users can also protect themselves by enabling unknown tracker alerts under ‘Security & Emergency’ settings in Android version 6.0 or later. This allows for manual searches for nearby trackers.

Regarding maintenance, AirTags use standard replaceable batteries rather than integrated rechargeable units. Apple estimates a battery life of approximately one year under normal usage. While specific percentage levels are no longer displayed in the ‘Find My’ app on newer iOS versions, the system will notify users when the battery is critically low.