Apple’s Making It Super Easy To Share AirTag Locations With Airlines And Others

Apple’s latest iOS feature makes locating and recovering misplaced items easier. Known as the Share Item Location, it securely shares the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with third parties, such as airlines.

Users can generate a Share Item Location link via the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The link directs recipients to a website displaying the item’s locations on an interactive map, which updates automatically and includes timestamps for the item’s latest location. For enhanced privacy, the shared location will be disabled once the item is recovered, can be stopped by the owner at any time, and will automatically expire after seven days.

The Share Item Location feature is particularly useful in baggage recovery and will aid customers using AirTags in their checked bags. Apple has already collaborated with partner airlines to ensure secure and private handling of Share Item Location data for baggage recovery purposes. Access to the link is limited to authorized personnel who authenticate their identity through an Apple Account or partner email.

In the coming months, over 15 major airlines, including Air Canada, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United, will begin incorporating Find My Item locations as part of their customer service process for locating mishandled or delayed luggage. More airlines are expected to follow. Apple plans to launch this feature in select airports with the goal of a full rollout by early 2025.

Additionally, to simplify baggage management, SITA, a leader in air transport technology, will integrate Share Item Location into WorldTracer, the baggage-tracing system used by over 500 airlines and more than 2,800 airports globally.

Share Item Location highlights Apple’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance everyday experience while prioritizing data privacy. It is already available in most regions as part of the public beta of iOS 18.2 and will soon be available to all users as part of a free software update for iPhone Xs and later. For more information, visit Apple’s website.