Apple AirTags as a tracking option for bikes?

Apple’s new tracking tool was released on April 30, 2021. This is a small tracker with which the most diverse things can be found again, e.g. keys, bags or wallets.

Using the iPhone and the “Find-My…” (Where is?) function, the Apple AirTag can be easily paired with the respective iOS device and integrated into the network. The Apple AirTag can now be located with centimeter precision via Bluetooth, even if the user’s own iPhone is not in the immediate vicinity. If a foreign iPhone is near the “tag”, it sends the exact location back to you. Then it’s time to search. Or rather, find it!

An Apple AirTag is quite small (31.9 mm x 8 mm) and is powered by a CR2032 coin cell. According to Apple, the tracker should offer up to one year of runtime. Normal GPS trackers, on the other hand, come with significantly less runtime (about 1 month). The system is limited to the iPhone. Unfortunately, Android users cannot access the network.

Bike Tracking: How do I attach my AirTag to my bike?

An AirTag does not have a mounting option itself. This can be purchased separately. Meanwhile, there are resourceful hobbyists who have developed mounts for bicycles. With a 3D printer and a free template from the Internet, a holder can be produced inexpensively. Free templates in the form of an SLT file can be downloaded from the “MakerBot Thingiverse” portal.

For those who don’t have a 3 printer at home, there are now also some manufacturers who market their products online.

One manufacturer is e.g. NC-17, which hides the AirTags on the handlebar stem

The manufacturer “ProTag®” mounts the small trackers under a bottle cage:

Or as a holder under the bicycle saddle from “Gadget God”:

Or in the bicycle bell

Muc-off Stealth Tubeless Tag Holder

The Muc-Off Tubeless Tag Holder provides a discreet way to install a tracker in your tubeless bike rear tire in conjunction with tubeless valves, allowing you to track and locate your bike with the Find My iPhone app in the event of theft.

Does the Apple AirTag protect against theft?

Of course, there is no 100% protection against theft. GPS trackers don’t offer that either. However, it can be very helpful to locate and find a stolen bike using the iPhone’s search function. It is important to hide the tracker well on the bike and hope that an iPhone is regularly in the vicinity of the new location. With over one billion active users, this should not be a problem. At just under 35 EUR + mount and a battery life of up to one year, it’s a cheap way to get some protection. In combination with a high-quality bike lock and a good bike insurance, you are then well equipped against thieves.

With which iPhone is the AirTag compatible?

• From iPhone 11 with iOS 14.5 or newer
• iPad models with iPadOS 14.5 or newer

More information about the Apple AirTags can be found here!

What does stalking with the AirTag mean?

Update: The “anti-stalking function” can be bypassed by removing the speaker. Resourceful tinkerers also talk about drilling into the AirTag to destroy the speaker. We expressly refrain from this modification and do not recommend doing so. It also voids the warranty and may damage or destroy the AirTag.

Updated: Scanner function included in Wo-ist app as of iOS 15.2

In the new iOS version, the Wo-ist app has a new feature that can be used to directly identify airtags not assigned to the iPhone user itself. Users are told how to disable an unknown airtag. A second scan function is used to find airtags reported missing by other people in order to return them.