Apple is enhancing its Find My ecosystem with a groundbreaking feature that allows users to share AirTag locations with trusted parties, marking a significant improvement in item tracking and recovery capabilities.
New Share Item Location Feature
The latest iOS 18.2 public beta introduces Share Item Location, a sophisticated addition to the Find My app that enables users to generate and share location links for their AirTags. This feature works across Apple's ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. The shared location updates automatically when the tracked item moves, complete with timestamp information for enhanced tracking accuracy.
Security and Privacy Measures
Apple has implemented robust privacy protections for the new sharing feature. Links automatically expire after seven days if not manually disabled, ensuring temporary access control. For airline partnerships, the system requires authentication through either an Apple Account or partner email address, with access limited to a select number of authorized personnel.
Airline Integration and Travel Benefits
In a significant move to enhance travel experience, Apple has partnered with over 15 major airlines, including industry leaders such as Delta, United, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and Air Canada. This integration, scheduled to roll out in the coming months, will streamline the process of tracking lost luggage, allowing travelers to share their AirTag location directly with airline staff through a secure system.
Availability and Requirements
The Share Item Location feature is currently available to iOS 18.2 public beta users in most regions worldwide. The full release is expected soon for users with iPhone X or later models. Additionally, SITA, a prominent baggage tracking solution provider, will incorporate this feature into their existing luggage tracking infrastructure, further expanding its utility in the travel industry.