Troubleshooting AirTag Location Updates

AirTags can suddenly appear lost on the map, which is shocking and puts the security of your belongings at risk. Though it is a problematic situation, relax; with simple troubleshooting techniques like checking the battery level, toggling Airplane mode, force quitting the Find My app, and moving your AirTag to different locations, you can regain control of your AirTags’ tracking experience.

But what if both of these parameters are working and still the airtag is not updating the location?

Here, the question is, how do you get your AirTags reliably updating their location again? What steps should you take first to troubleshoot the issues? Which connectivity factors and iPhone settings affect your AirTags’ ability to pinpoint their location in real time?

If your AirTag location tracking problems persist and you don’t know how to resolve them, try the following methods. 

What Causes AirTag Location Issues?

Before you dig into solutions, you must understand what might be causing your AirTag location problems in the first place. Here are some common reasons why AirTags may fail to update locations.

Network Connectivity Issues

AirTags rely on Bluetooth and WiFi networks to update their location. So if your AirTag moves out of range of your home WiFi network or connected devices like your iPhone, its location can’t update.

Similarly, weak network signals or connectivity problems with your router, ISP, or nearby WiFi networks can interrupt the constant data flow needed for real-time AirTag tracking.

Battery Power Problems

The CR2032 coin battery is easy to replace yourself. If the battery runs too low, your AirTag may have trouble updating its location frequently.

If the battery is fully drained, your AirTag will go offline until you replace the dead battery with a fresh new one.

Software Bugs and Glitches

AirTags can occasionally suffer from software bugs that affect performance like any tech product. Issues on Apple’s end with the Find My network could delay location updates.

Occasionally, restarting and resetting the AirTag can clear minor software issues. Updating the latest firmware may also help resolve buggy behavior.

Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb Mode

Airplane mode or Do Not Disturb on your iPhone blocks the AirTag from sending or receiving location data. Turn off these modes if you want your AirTag location to update consistently.

Out of Bluetooth/WiFi Range

AirTags rely on Bluetooth connections to your iPhone to pinpoint their location within close range. And they use WiFi to track locations from further away.

So, an AirTag that moves out of Bluetooth and WiFi range of your phone and connected networks may show a delayed or inaccurate location until it gets back in range.

Now that you know what can cause AirTag location issues, let’s follow some steps to get your tracker working correctly again.

12 Ways to Fix AirTag Location Not Updating

Here are the top troubleshooting tips to try when your AirTag is delayed or inaccurate in updating its location:

1. Check AirTag Battery Level

Check the AirTag’s battery level in the Find My app by selecting your device. You can see the current battery level displayed here.

If it’s low or critically low, replace the battery right away. Use a fresh CR2032 coin cell battery for optimal performance.

2. Enable Location Services

Confirm that the location of  service option is on  for the Find My app on your iPhone:

• Open Settings > Privacy > Location Services
• Ensure Find My is toggled on to Allow While Using the App

This allows the app to access location data from your phone to track your AirTag.

3. Toggle Airplane Mode

Toggling Airplane Mode off and on reconnects the radios and can get a “stuck” AirTag unstuck:

• Open Settings and turn on Airplane mode for 1 minute
• Then turn Airplane mode off again

This refreshes the connections and forces the data to sync up again.

4. Reboot Your iPhone

If your iPhone is having connectivity problems, rebooting it can help:

• Press and hold the side button to power down your iPhone until the slide to power off prompt appears.
• Power your phone completely off and wait 30 seconds
• Turn your iPhone back on

Rebooting refreshes the operating system and radios, clearing up any software glitches.

5. Reset Network Settings

Reset your network settings to fix any configurations causing connectivity issues:

• Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
• If asked, type in your passcode.
• After restarting your iPhone, allow it to reboot fully, which will clear out any saved WiFi networks and passwords.

Then, reconnect to WiFi to set up fresh network connections needed for AirTag tracking.

6. Force Quit and Reopen Find My App

A simple force quit can help the Find My app reconnect if it’s having issues:

• press the home button twice on your iPhone to bring up the app switcher interface.
• Swipe up on the Find My App preview to force quit it
• Reopen the Find My app again

This ensures the app isn’t stuck and refreshes the connections.

7. Update to the Latest iOS Version

Apple releases periodic iOS updates that fix bugs and improve performance.

Installing the newest iOS software update on your iPhone can resolve any lingering AirTag issues:

• Navigate to the Settings application, then select General, and tap on Software Update.
• Download and install any available iOS updates
• Restart your iPhone to complete the update process

Updated iOS versions have the latest fixes for Find My network performance.

8. Restart and Re-pair AirTag

If your AirTag itself is having issues, restarting and re-pairing it can help:

• Unscrew and open the AirTag battery place, then take out the battery.
• After removing the battery, wait 30 seconds before placing it back into the AirTag
• Open the Find My app and touch the plus (+) icon to add an AirTag
• Use the on-screen prompts to connect the AirTag again to your Apple ID account

This will factory reset your AirTag and reconnect it to your iPhone from scratch.

9. Try AirTag in Lost Mode

Lost Mode turns off your AirTag’s privacy settings temporarily so it can be tracked by the millions of Apple devices passing by:

• In Find My app, select your AirTag, then tap Activate
• Enter your phone number and a custom message to show if your AirTag is located
• The AirTag will now enter Lost Mode, allowing expanded tracking

This extended crowdsourced tracking can help locate a lost AirTag even when it’s far from your iPhone.

10. Check AirTag Firmware Version

Make sure your AirTag is updated to the latest firmware for any bug fixes or improvements:

• In Find My app, select your AirTag
• Continue scrolling to access the About section to view the firmware edition
• Any pending AirTag software updates will install automatically when it reconnects to your iPhone
• Updated firmware ensures optimal performance and fixes any location-tracking issues.

11. Refresh AirTag Location

To test if the problem is your environment and not the AirTag itself, try placing your AirTag in another location to see if connectivity improves.

Move to different spots in your home, office, or even outside to rule out bad WiFi coverage or signal interference as the issue.

If the AirTag location updates fine elsewhere, you know something is blocking connectivity in the original location. You can also update the location update frequency to high so that it keeps the location updated. 

12. Contact Apple Support

If you still can’t get your AirTag location to update correctly after trying all these steps, reach out to Apple Support:

• In the Find My app, tap the AirTag, giving you issues
• In the app, scroll down and select Item Support to initiate a chat or call via Apple support.

Apple can run diagnostics, suggest any other fixes, or arrange for a replacement if your AirTag is defective.