iPhone (iOS) · Devices
Pair and manage AirTags and other item trackers
Pairing an AirTag or supported third-party item tracker links it to your Apple ID so you can see its location, rename it, and get separation alerts if you leave it behind, all managed from the Find My app's Items tab.
How to open AirTag & Item Trackers
- Open the Find My app and go to the Items tab
- Tap the + button and select Add Item
- Hold the AirTag near the top of your iPhone
- Follow the on-screen prompts to name it and finish pairing
What you should know
- Pair a new AirTag by holding it near the iPhone and following the prompt
- Name and assign an emoji to each tracked item for quick identification
- Enable 'Notify When Left Behind' for separation alerts
- Share an AirTag with family members so multiple people can locate the same item
AirTags are designed with safety features that alert nearby iPhone and Android users if an unknown tracker appears to be traveling with them, to deter covert tracking.
Why it matters
Item trackers meaningfully reduce the anxiety and cost of lost luggage, keys, or bags by tying physical objects into the same Find My network used for devices, with separation alerts catching a forgotten item before you've walked too far away to easily notice. Because pairing happens through this settings surface rather than a separate app, it stays consistent with how Apple devices are already managed. Understanding the safety alert system also matters, since users occasionally get an unfamiliar-tracker notification and need to know what it means and how to respond.
Best practices
- Enable 'Notify When Left Behind' for anything you'd be upset to lose, like keys or a wallet.
- Name items clearly and specifically rather than leaving default names, especially if you pair more than one.
- Share frequently-used shared items, like a shared bag or vehicle tracker, with relevant family members.
Common problems and fixes
- An AirTag won't pair.
- Make sure Bluetooth and Location Services are on, then hold the AirTag close to the top of the iPhone and wait for the pairing prompt.
- Received an 'unknown accessory detected' alert while traveling with someone else's bag.
- This is the anti-stalking safety feature; tap the alert to see the tracker's location history and instructions for disabling it if it isn't yours.
Tips and tricks
- Enable Precision Finding on supported iPhone models for an on-screen arrow and distance readout when very close to a lost item.
Frequently asked questions
Can I track a non-Apple item tracker the same way?
Yes, supported third-party trackers that use the Find My network appear in the same Items tab.
Does someone need to be nearby for me to find my AirTag?
No, the Find My network uses nearby Apple devices anonymously to relay location, so no direct connection to you is needed.
Related settings
- Find MyFind My helps you locate a lost or stolen iPhone on a map, remotely play a sound, mark it as lost, or erase it, and it can also share your location with family members or locate AirTags and other Apple accessories.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair AirPods, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
- Location ServicesLocation Services is the master switch and per-app control center for GPS-based location sharing on iPhone, letting you decide exactly which apps can see your precise or general location, and when.
More Devices guides for iPhone (iOS)
- KeyboardKeyboard settings let you add languages and layouts, configure autocorrect and predictive text, and connect a physical Bluetooth or Magic Keyboard for a more traditional typing experience.
- AirPods SettingsOnce AirPods are paired, a dedicated settings page appears for them with controls for noise control modes, spatial audio, press-and-hold gestures, and battery levels for each earbud and the case.
- Apple WatchPairing an Apple Watch is done through the dedicated Watch app on iPhone, which then manages the Watch's settings, apps, and complications, while the paired connection itself is visible under Bluetooth.
- HandoffHandoff lets you start something — a webpage, email, document, or FaceTime call — on your iPhone and instantly pick it up on a nearby iPad or Mac signed in with the same Apple ID, without saving or sending anything manually.
- Bluetooth AccessoriesBeyond audio devices, the Bluetooth settings screen manages any paired accessory — external keyboards, game controllers, car infotainment systems, fitness sensors, and more — under the 'My Devices' list.
- CarPlayCarPlay settings let you pair a vehicle, arrange which apps appear on the CarPlay screen, configure Siri and notification behavior while driving, and control automatic connection when you get in the car.