The Find My app is where all the magic happens regarding AirTags. And when you can no longer find your AirTag on the app, what will you do?
A few nights back, I, too, was exposed to this very issue by which my year-old AirTag stopped showing up on the Find My app.
After an extensive bout of researching and going through numerous troubleshooting steps, I did eventually crack down on the issue. Here’s what I found out:
If your AirTag is not showing up on the Find My app, check and refresh the WiFi and the Bluetooth on your iOS device first. Next, check and replace the battery on the AirTag if it has run out. Then, reset the location services on your device. Factory resetting the AirTag could also help.
Here are some of the more plausible scenarios by which the AirTag fails to show up on the Find My app:
| Scenario | Causes and Fixes |
|---|---|
| Old AirTag not showing up on Find My app | Dead batteries; check and replace the battery on AirTag |
| AirTag showing up on another device but not mine | Software issue; check and update the iOS firmware |
| AirTag abruptly disappears from the Find My app | Connectivity issue; refresh the network and Bluetooth settings on iOS |
| Other Scenarios | Factory Reset AirTag; contact Apple customer support |
Let’s now explore the various troubleshooting steps involved in resolving the AirTag not showing up on the Find My App issue:
Restart your iOS Device
As a start to troubleshooting tips issue with the AirTag on the Find My app, let’s refresh the very device that hosts the service.
Even the mightiest of technology-rich gadgets are bound to put up roadblocks in the form of abrupt system freezes and other bugs in time.
The Find My app could also get bugged out as a result of such temporal inconsistencies.
And the best way to tackle them is to refresh the host device.
Here’s how to restart your iOS device:
1. Press and hold the Power and either of the Volume buttons simultaneously until the Power OFF slider appears on-screen.
2. Drag the slider towards the right to turn OFF the iOS device.
3. Give it a few minutes before turning the device ON again.
Open the Find My app and check for the issue now.
On older iOS devices (before iPhone X), press and hold the Power button to prompt the Power OFF slider to appear.
Check and Refresh Network and Bluetooth on iOS
A stable network and a good Bluetooth range are essential for the Find My app to show the AirTag.
Failing to satisfy these two crucial prerequisites may render the Find My app to forgo the AirTag.
AirTags communicate with an iOS device via Bluetooth, giving it an essential range of about 30 ft (10 meters).
And so, it would be best to check and refresh the network and Bluetooth on your host device once the Find My app stops showing the AirTag.
With iOS devices, you can reset the network references without affecting any other aspect. Here’s how to do so:
1. Open the Settings menu on your device.
2. Navigate to the General tab.
3. Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset Device.
4. Select Reset and choose Reset Network Settings.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to initiate the Reset.
Once the Reset is complete, link your device with the WiFi network.
In case the network seems awry, better power cycle the Router. Unplug the Router and plug it back in after a minute or so. Run a speed test on the network before linking your device with the network.
To refresh Bluetooth, follow these steps:
1. From the Settings tab, navigate to and open Bluetooth.
2. Toggle OFF the Bluetooth tile and toggle it back ON to refresh it.
Check for the issue now.
Check and Change the Battery on AirTag
Next, let’s check and change the battery on the AirTag.
On the off chance that your AirTag has run out of battery, it won’t update its location or pop up on the Find My app.
If the AirTag is present in the app but not updating the location anymore, you can check the battery status from the app itself.
Here’s how to do so:
1. Open the app and tap on the Items tile.
2. Select the AirTag in question.
You can find the last updated battery status right below the name of the AirTag.
If the battery has indeed run its course, it’s time to replace it with a fresh one.
Here’s how to change the battery on an AirTag:
1. Unscrew the metal cap of your AirTag by pressing down the cap.
2. Once the cap comes loose, pull it out and unplug the battery.
3. Insert a new CR2032 battery in the correct orientation (positive side up).
4. Screw back the metal cap and pair the AirTag back to the Find My app.
Check for the issue now.
When opting for a new AirTag battery, avoid CR2032 batteries with a bitter coating. Opting for such batteries may render the AirTag unusable with a new battery.
Check and Update the iOS Device
Running your iOS device on outdated firmware can give birth to numerous troublesome issues.
A device running on an outdated firmware version is prone to bugs and errors that can easily make their way into the system in the absence of proper security updates.
The same can be said when running your iOS device on Beta versions.
AirTag not reachable is an infamous issue known to pop up in your system when running on Beta firmware.
And so, it would be wise to check and update the device once the issue strikes. Here’s how to update your iOS device:
1. Open Settings and navigate to the General tab.
2. Select Software Update, and the device shall now run a check for any pending updates.
3. Tap on Download and Install if there exists any update.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
Once the device is updated, check for the issue now.
Reset Location Services on iOS
The Find My app may also have trouble hosting your AirTag if your device’s location services are not functioning optimally.
If that’s the case, you could reset the Location and Privacy services without affecting any other aspects of the device.
Here’s how to do so:
1. Open Settings and navigate to the General tab.
2. Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset Phone.
3. Select Reset and choose Reset Location and Privacy.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the Reset.
Once the device completes the Reset, open the Find My app and check for the issue.
You could also check and refresh the location access for the Find My app from the Settings menu. Open Privacy and Security> Location Services> Find My and choose ‘While Using the App.’ If the permission is already enabled, select Never, refresh the device, and select ‘While Using the App’ once again to restore the setting.
Factory Reset the AirTag
Now, as a last-ditch effort, if none of the fixes mentioned above seemed to affect the issue, factory reset the AirTag.
By factory resetting your AirTag, all of its configs, including sync and location services, get reverted to the factory defaults.
Thus giving you a new slate to begin with once again.
But before factory resetting the AirTag, you’ll first have to remove the errant AirTag from the Find My app.
Here’s how to do so:
1. On the Find My app, select the AirTag from the Items tab.
2. Scroll down and select Remove Item.
3. Confirm the selection to delete the AirTag from the app.
Now that the AirTag has been removed from the Find My app, follow these steps to factory reset it:
1. Unscrew the Metal cap of your AirTag to expose the battery compartment.
2. Unplug the battery and insert it back. Press down the battery until you hear an audible chime from the AirTag.
3. Repeat step 2 four more times (five in total). On the fifth time, you’ll hear a distinct chime different from the usual chime.
The AirTag has been reset and is ready to be paired to your device.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, a comprehensive guide on resolving the AirTag not showing up on the Find My App issue.
Ensure to check and refresh the connectivity and location services the instant the issue appears on the device.
If you can’t get over the issue, contact Apple customer services for any further assistance.
Physical damage can also induce the said issue on your AirTag. If that’s the case, visit the nearest Apple Store to get a professional opinion on the same.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can’t I add my AirTag to Find My app?
If you have trouble adding an AirTag to the Find My app, check the status of the battery and replace it if it has run out of juice. Also, Airtags already linked to an iOS device won’t be available to pair on another device.
How do I make my AirTag discoverable?
If you’re trying to pair a newly bought AirTag, pull out the battery tag and bring the AirTag next to a supported iOS device. For already paired AirTags, remove the AirTag from the Find My app and bring it close to an iOS device to make it discoverable again.