This article is regarding Apple AirTag and how you can fix AirTag Not Working issue. When it gets to tracking items efficiently, AirTag comes close to being an excellent item tracker compared to alternatives like Galaxy SmartTag. No surprise, many are calling it the gold standard for 21st-century luggage tracking. Now, without impairing the rave reviews, Apple’s item tracker has had a fair share of issues even during the early days. While some consumers have stated that Apple AirTags is not working, others have found the much-talked-about “Precision Finding” inconsistent. Irrespective of what kind of problems have come your way, try out these pro tips if your AirTag is not working or connecting to your iPhone.
AirTag Not Working? Try These Fixes!
So, what could be reasoning the AirTag to misbehave? There could be more than 1 culprit behind the problem. Though network-related problems might be the wrecker-in-chief, you should never miss a faulty battery as a possible concern. Furthermore, the incorrect setup may also be equally responsible. Therefore, we’ll look into all the possible causes and try the best AirTag tips and tricks accordingly.
Ensure That Find My is Enabled
Aside from being available as a full-fledged app, Find My comes with a system-wide switch located in the Settings app. Therefore you can enable/ disable it depending on your needs. Go to Settings -> [your name] -> Find My -> Find My iPhone. Now, make assured the Find My iPhone toggle is turned on.
Make Sure You Are not Using Managed Apple ID.
Apple openly states that if your iOS/ iPadOS device is utilizing Managed Apple ID, you cannot set up an AirTag. Therefore, if an AirTag is not connecting to your iPhone or iPad, be sure your device complies with this requirement.
For those unknown, schools or colleges can create Managed Apple IDs for students to promote education. They are unique to each organization and distribute from your standard Apple ID. To find out more regarding Managed Apple IDs and how they work, go to the Apple Support page.
Make Assured Two-Factor Authentication is Enabled
For AirTags to connect to your iPad/iPhone, you must have two-factor authentication enabled. Therefore, make sure to turn on 2FA on your iOS or iPadOS device if it is not already.
To allow two-factor authentication on your Apple ID, go to Settings -> [your name] -> Password & Security. Now, ensure that ‘Two-Factor authentication’ is on. You’ll need to enter your phone number and answer a few security questions to enable 2FA for your Apple ID.
Turn Off/On Location Services
Location Services need to be allowed so that AirTags can work with precision. If you encounter issues, even if it’s turned on, disable/ enable the ‘Location Services’ toggle to get rid of any accidental glitch that may have cropped up. Move to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services to turn it off. Next to that, restart your device and toggle it back on before trying to pair your AirTag.
Turn Off/On Bluetooth, Cellular Network, and Wi-Fi
Another thing you should do to resolve the AirTag not working problem is to turn on/ off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and your cellular network. As they play an essential role in helping AirTag work effectively, any fatigue in iOS 14 or ill-functioning on their part could be the reason for AirTag not connecting to your device.
Proceed to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Then, proceed to the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Mobile Data sections one after the other. Turn off the toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular, and restart your device.
- To restart iPad and iPhone with Face ID: Press & hold the volume up/ down button and power button at once. Next, drag the power-off slider to shut down your device. Next to that, press and hold the power button to reboot the device.
- To restart iPad and iPhone with Touch ID: Press the power button and then drag the power-off slider to turn-off your device. Now, hold-down the power button to restart the device.
After your device has restarted, go to the Settings app and turn on the Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth toggles once again.
Factory Reset AirTag
If none of the resolutions above help fix the problem, it’s time to factory reset the AirTag. Since it has helped many users fix common AirTag issues, including the signal is weak, Precision Finding not working, and other connectivity problems, the chances are it could do the trick for you.
To reset an AirTag, you require to remove it from the Find My app. So open the Find My app and move to the ‘Items’ tab. Next to that, choose the AirTag you want to reset. Next, swipe up to access AirTag settings and press on the ‘Remove item’ option at the bottom. Lastly, confirm your action by tapping on ‘Remove’ again.
Once you’ve successfully reset AirTag, reconnect it to your iPhone or iPad. Hold the AirTag near your device and press the ‘Connect’ button that pops up on the screen. If you have multiple AirTags and view the “More than one AirTag detected” message, ensure that only one AirTag is near your device at a time.
Reset Network Settings
For the AirTag to operate as expected, Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth must function properly. If they encounter issues, the item tracker will have a hard time connecting or working as intended. So, if you’re still struggling to fix the AirTag not working issue, try resetting the network settings.
Go to the Settings app on your iPad or iPhone and press on General. Now, scroll-down to the bottom and choose Reset. Next, press Reset Network Settings. Next to that, enter your device passcode and hit Reset Network Settings again. That should fix any different network-related issues, which in turn could help fix issues with AirTag not working or connecting to your device.
AirTag Precision Finding Not Working? Try out These Fixes!
As the name implies, Precision Finding allows you accurately determine the distance and direction of a misplaced AirTag when it is in the range. It utilizes the U1 chip, present in AirTags and the latest iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 models, to accurately locate and communicate with each other.
The U1 chip takes benefit of ultra-wideband technology. It uses input from key components, including ARKit, gyroscope, accelerometer, and iPhone’s camera, to guide you to a lost AirTag through haptics sound and visual feedback.
Sadly, ultra-wideband technology is restricted in some countries and regions. So, if Apple AirTag Precision Finding is not working on your iPhone 12 or iPhone 11, ensure that the technology is not blocked in your country or region.
Also, make sure you have enabled Location Access for Find My. To do that, go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> Find My. Now, pick “While Using the App” and turn on the “Precision Location” toggle as well.
Update Software on Your iPhone and iPad
If AirTag remains to ill-function, it would be wise to go for a software update. Thinking that Apple keeps rolling out software updates with a series of performance enhancements and bug fixes, it could assist you with AirTag connectivity issues. Start the Settings app on your iPad or iPhone and proceed to General -> Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it.
Remove and Replace Your AirTag’s Battery
If your AirTag yet misbehaves, remove and replace the battery. The battery might be at fault. Therefore, try changing it to see if it sorts out the issue.
To perform, pull out the AirTag from its case/accessory and press-down the stainless steel back of the AirTag with 2 fingers. While still pressing down, make assured to rotate counterclockwise until the cover stops rotating. Next, pull apart the 2 halves of the AirTag. Next, remove the old battery and place the new one.
Fix AirTag Not Working Issue with Usable Tips and Tricks:
Hopefully, your AirTag has once again begun to work normally. As I stated above, network-related problems are usually the prime suspects, therefore fixing them resolves the most common AirTag issues. Also, a factory reset is quite reliable in sorting out the problem if your AirTag is not working or connecting to your iPhone.
By the way, which 1 of these tips has helped you troubleshoot your item tracker? Also, Do share your viewpoints with us in the comments below. If none of the above mentions has worked for you, it would be smart to contact Apple Support at the earliest as there could be hardware damage.
