Can the Apple AirTag be used as a GPS car locator?
This device can be used to locate a stolen car. What you need to know about Apple AirTags.
As unbelievable as it may seem, Apple AirTag can be the perfect tool never to forget where you parked and to know its location in case it is stolen.
Of course, in order to access the features offered by this device, it is necessary to have an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac computer to access the “Find My” app.
If the AirTag is nearby, the iPhone helps locate it with precise tracking, thanks to ultra-wideband technology. When you’re away, the app’s network of hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads, and Macs around the world helps locate your device—and, therefore, your car.
How does it work?
AirTags work by sending a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices in the app’s network. In turn, these devices send the location of the AirTag to iCloud so that you can see it on a map from the application.
The entire process is anonymous and encrypted to protect the privacy of users. It does not store location information or history, so only the user can see where they are. Not even Apple has access to the location of the AirTag nor the identity of the device that helps find it.
Another advantage of having an AirTag in the car is that it is designed to work for more than a year with a standard battery that you can replace easily.
Better than a GPS tracker?
In almost every way, the AirTag is better than traditional trackers. First of all, it is much cheaper and smaller. Additionally, with a normal GPS tracker, you have to pay for the installation and also buy a cell phone line and pay the rent or the balance. Also, the battery is a factor since in case it is not recharged with the car battery, the backup is only 72 hours.
Instead, the AirTag has to be stored somewhere in the car and recharged every year, and the app even sends a notification when the battery is low.
Because it uses the location of other iPhones, if the thief who steals the car has an iPhone, it will actually help locate it more precisely.
What’s the downside?
Unlike a genuine GPS tracker, the AirTag does not provide real-time, precise location updates. Also, if the car is in a desert area where there are no people with an iPhone, it will be difficult to locate it.