When I was planning my first long solo trip last year, I searched online for a list of travel essentials or things I need to do for a hassle-free trip, and one of the things that often come up in travel blogs and vlogs is using an Apple AirTag for luggage.
The AirTag is a tracking device manufactured and sold by Apple. A single AirTag costs around $30 plus shipping while a pack of four costs around $90. Because of the price, I was a bit hesitant to get it as I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it.
So I decided to read up on it more and eventually, I decided to get one.
You see, I’ve gone on a lot of solo trips in the past but all of them lasted less than a week and I’ve only stayed in one city. That is except for the time when I went backpacking for two weeks in Southeast Asia but I only carried a backpack and AirTags weren’t even a thing then.
Since last year’s trip was going to be for a month in Europe and I’d be traveling by train and bus through different cities while carrying a big suitcase, I thought that getting an Apple AirTag for luggage was a great idea – especially after seeing videos of people complaining about their suitcases getting misplaced, mishandled, lost, or delayed in European airports.
Before I share with you the benefits of using an Apple AirTag for luggage, it’s important to know that it only works if you have an Apple device, either an iPhone or iPad, that’s running iOS 14.5 or later.
How to Use the Apple AirTag for Luggage
The Apple AirTag is pretty simple and straightforward to use but you have to set it up with your Apple device first for it to work.
Here’s how:
- Go to your device’s settings and ensure that Bluetooth and Location Services are enabled.
- Bring the AirTag close to your device.
- If you have an iPhone 11 or later, which has a U1 chip, the AirTag will automatically prompt the set-up process on your screen so you just have to follow the on-screen instructions.
If you have an older model of the iPhone, then you can manually set up the AirTag. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the “Find My” app on your Apple device. If you don’t have it installed, then you can download it from the App Store.
- In the Find My app, tap on the “Add” button found in the bottom-left corner of the screen. ● Choose “AirTag” from the list of available devices to add then assign a name to your AirTag to identify it. You can choose from preset options like “Keys,” “Wallet,” and “Luggage,” or you can just create a custom name.
- Then simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
If you’re signed in with your Apple ID, the AirTag will be associated with your account. This ensures that only you can track your AirTag.
Once the setup is complete, just place the Apple AirTag in your suitcase or backpack and that’s it.
You can place it on its own or you also get one of those AirTag holders with a keyring and attach it to an inside zipper to be more organized. This also helps to prevent the AirTag from getting mixed up with other things inside your suitcase.
The Benefits of Using an Apple AirTag for Luggage
When I first got my Apple AirTag, a few people asked me if it was a necessary expense. Back then, I wasn’t sure but on the first leg of my month-long trip, I immediately realized how useful it really is.
Here are its benefits:
It provides real-time tracking and a precise location of your luggage.
Through the Find My app, the AirTag lets you track the exact location of your luggage in real time. I thought that this feature was quite useful in case my luggage gets misplaced, mishandled, or lost during my flight or when I was transiting by trains or buses.
It also gives you the precise location of your luggage. This is through the use of Bluetooth technology and a big network of Apple devices. During my trip, I could easily pinpoint its location – whether it was on the airport carousel, in a bus or cab with me, or at my hotel.
You get customizable notifications.
Also through the Find My app, you can set up customized notifications to alert you when your luggage is moved or taken out of a designated range. I find this quite helpful in case I accidentally leave my luggage behind or if it was taken by someone without my knowledge.
You can still locate your luggage even if it’s out of your range.
As mentioned previously, the Apple AirTag uses Bluetooth technology. And because there’s a vast Find My network, which consists of millions of Apple devices, you can still find your luggage through crowd-sourced location tracking. In case your luggage gets lost, other nearby Apple devices can anonymously relay its location information to you.
If you accidentally lose your luggage or someone takes it, you can put the AirTag into Lost Mode. So if someone with an Apple device comes across it, they can use their device to view your contact information and get in touch with you.
It has a long battery life.
The Apple AirTag has a replaceable battery that lasts for about a year, ensuring that you won’t need to replace it frequently. I got mine in September of last year and I haven’t replaced the battery yet.
It gives you peace of mind.
Ultimately, this is the most significant benefit of using an Apple AirTag for luggage as it reduces stress and anxiety that’s related to travel.
Since I can easily track and locate my suitcase, I had some peace of mind during my trip. When I was on an overnight bus from Rome to Vienna, it gave me a nice feeling knowing that my suitcase was safely stowed in the luggage compartment. I could see its location moving with me and I would’ve found out right away if someone had taken my bag by mistake or intentionally.
So do you really need it?
Yes, you do! And I’m not just saying this as someone who loves Apple devices. You do need an Apple AirTag for luggage – or any kind of tracking device if you’re an Android user.
For $30, it was really worth it and if you’re someone who travels a lot, it’s one of the best things you can get to reduce travel-related anxiety. Because of how useful it is, I eventually got a pack of 4 – and I wished I had gotten this sooner.
Honestly, $30 is a small amount to pay compared to what you’d have to spend if you lose your luggage. Sure, you can always get travel insurance that covers lost or stolen suitcases and belongings but losing your luggage also comes with a huge amount of stress, which can ruin your trip.
I’ve been on a few trips since getting an AirTag and it proved to be quite useful in other situations.
One example was during a family trip to Japan and knowing that my mom likes to wander off to different shops without telling us, I placed an AirTag in her jacket so I could track her location. This was especially helpful in a crowded touristy area.
So if you have an upcoming trip, I’d recommend getting the Apple AirTag. You won’t regret it!
Eva is a content writer and digital creator who's passionate about traveling, photography, and fitness. When she's not writing or traveling, she enjoys watching movies on Netflix and playing Sims 4 and Animal Crossing. She also dabbles in graphic design and video editing.
This post was last updated on 2025-02-06 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.