AirTags are small item trackers that help you find misplaced items. Apple routinely issues firmware updates for these devices to fix bugs and respond to safety or privacy threats.

Firmware updates require that you put the device near your iPhone and wait for it to update. Sadly, no one has found a way to speed up this process.

Connect the AirTag to Your Phone

The AirTag is a small Bluetooth tracker designed to help you find things like keys, purses, and remotes. AirTags are linked to your Apple ID, and they communicate with iPhones via Bluetooth to update their location in iCloud. AirTags are also capable of playing a sound to help you locate them. The AirTag location updates periodically whenever an iPhone with the Find My feature enabled comes within range of it, and a notification is sent to the owner. This makes finding items that you’ve lost fairly simple.

However, if you’re experiencing an issue with your AirTag that prevents it from updating its location, there are several factors to consider. One possibility is that the battery needs to be replaced. AirTags use CR2032 batteries, and if the current battery is worn out or dead, your AirTag may not be able to send signals to your phone.

Another possibility is that your phone’s Bluetooth connection isn’t working properly. To check if your phone’s Bluetooth is working correctly, open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure that the switch for Bluetooth is toggled on and that it’s set to work with your cellular or Wi-Fi network.

You can also try moving around to improve the strength of your AirTag’s signal if you’re receiving an error message that says “AirTag Not Reachable, Move Around to Connect.” This could mean that you are out of your AirTag’s range or something is interfering with its Bluetooth connection.

If you’re still having trouble getting your AirTag to update its location, you can contact Apple support for assistance. You can call, visit an Apple Store, or get live chat or email support. When you call or email, be sure to have your Apple ID information and details about the problem ready to provide support with. Apple’s support website has instructions on how to submit a case and receive help with your AirTag. You can also find helpful guides to help you solve common problems with Apple products on the website. Lastly, you can subscribe to the Tip of the Day newsletter for additional help with your iPhone or other Apple devices.

Check Your Network Settings

Despite being small and simple, AirTags receive software updates from Apple just like the company’s other accessories. This allows them to continue functioning properly and introduce new features as needed. However, if you find that your tracker isn’t updating its location while everything else seems to be okay, it might have an out-of-date firmware.

The problem may also occur because your device hasn’t been updated to the latest version of iOS. If this is the case, your AirTag will be unable to connect to your iPhone and report its location over Bluetooth. It’s best to update your iOS to the latest version before trying again.

Another possibility is that your AirTag was last seen in an isolated area without many nearby iPhones (or other Apple devices) to provide reports of its location. If this is the case, you can try to trace it using a free app called BLE Scanner. It offers a basic mapping feature and displays all of the iPhone-compatible Bluetooth devices within range, including AirTags and other Apple accessory items.

You could also try to reset your AirTag by pressing and rotating its cover counterclockwise until you can no longer rotate it. This is similar to the way you reset a Macbook laptop or an iPod Touch. If the problem persists, you can always contact an Apple support representative for further assistance.

If you’ve tried all of the above and your tracker is still not updating its location, it might be a good idea to consider using a hard reset on the device. This will clear out any lingering issues and force the AirTag to start working normally.

If the problem persists, you could also check whether your AirTag is using cellular data to update its location. You can do this by opening the Settings app and tapping Cellular Data. If the switch is flipped off, you should turn it back on and restart your phone. This will allow the AirTag to use cellular data instead of Wi-Fi and should resolve the issue. In most cases, you should only need to do this once, but you might need to do it a few times to get your AirTag to work properly.

Check Your Device Settings

There are a few reasons why your AirTag may not be updating its location. One reason is that it needs to have its firmware updated. AirTags come with security features that prevent them from being used to stalk people, and the security update will make your tracker more difficult for would-be stalkers to use.

You can check the serial number and firmware version of your AirTag by going to the Find My app on an iPhone or iPad, and tapping on an AirTag in the list of Items. You should see a battery icon and the word “With You Now.” If the firmware is outdated, you’ll need to update it.

Another reason why your AirTag may not be updating its status is that it might have a bad battery. This is especially common with the older CR2032 batteries, and it’s possible that changing the battery will fix the problem.

Lastly, there’s also the possibility that your AirTag isn’t getting its security updates. This happens because AirTags need to be in close proximity to an iPhone that’s running iOS 14.5 or later to get the latest firmware. It’s impossible to know if there’s a trick that can be used to force an AirTag to receive its firmware update faster, but it appears that you just need to be patient.

If you’ve tried all of these things, and your AirTag still isn’t updating its location, you might need to contact Apple. Apple offers live chat, phone support, and mail-in options for their customers, and they’ll be able to help you figure out what the issue is with your AirTag.

Apple makes it a point to release firmware updates for its item trackers on a sporadic basis, and they’re often based on security improvements. This means that it’s not uncommon to encounter issues with your AirTag from time to time, but you can typically solve them by following these tips. If you do end up contacting Apple for help, let us know what the solution was in the comments below! Thanks for reading!

Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

AirTags are small, button-sized Bluetooth item trackers that can be used to keep tabs on items like your keys or wallet. They can also be used to help find your lost items. Unfortunately, these little trackers can sometimes stop working. If your AirTag stops updating its location, it may be a problem with the device itself or the connection between it and your phone. If you’re having trouble with your AirTag, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue.

One of the first things you should do if your AirTag isn’t updating its location is to make sure that you have two-factor authentication enabled. This is a feature that is designed to prevent others from accessing your account and using the AirTag to track you. To enable this feature, open the Settings app and then navigate to Security and Privacy. From here, you can enable the feature by clicking on “Two-Factor Authentication” and then following Apple’s instructions to complete the setup process.

Another possible reason that your AirTag might be having issues is that the firmware on it needs to be updated. This is something that Apple routinely does over-the-air in an effort to quell safety concerns that people had after reports of stalking and theft facilitated by hidden AirTags. The update also fixes bugs and adds new features, so if you’re having issues with your AirTag, it may be worth checking the current version of its firmware.

If you’re still having issues with your AirTag and have tried all of the above solutions, it may be time to perform a hard reset on the device. You can do this by removing and replacing the battery in your AirTag four times. Each time you replace the battery, wait until you hear a sound that indicates the device has been successfully reset.

AirTags use Ultra-wideband to send signals to your iPhone that can be used to locate the device. However, this technology is restricted in certain regions and if you live in one of them, your AirTag might not be updating its location because it can’t communicate with your device. This is a frustrating issue to have, but there’s not much that you can do about it except continue trying the other solutions in this guide.