How to use Precision Finding to locate AirTags with your iPhone

The recently announced Apple AirTag offer an easy way to keep a track of things such as keys, AirPods, wallet, etc. While it is mostly similar to other Bluetooth trackers such as Tile, it does have something known as Precision Finding. This offers a more accurate location of the object that you’re tracking. The feature is only available on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 series, as these devices have a special chip.

In this post, we’re going to show you how to use Precision Finding to locate your AirTags.

Also see: Tips and Tricks for getting started with your Apple AirTags

What is Precision Finding?

Precision Finding is another way to track an AirTag, and is better than normal Bluetooth tracking. The AirTags are equipped with an U1 Ultra Wideband chip, which allows for the user to better locate an object. The feature enables more accurate distance and direction tracking of an AirTag. This will only work with devices that also feature the U1 chip. As of now, only the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 12 series come embedded with the chip.

When using the FindMy app to locate an AirTag on an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, you will be able to use Precision Finding. It’ll provide with an accurate distance and direction, helping you locate a lost AirTag faster. The chip on the iPhone will use inputs from its accelerometer, gyroscope, camera, and show you the exact location of the AirTag with sound, visuals, and haptics.

It is to be noted that Precision Finding may not work in all countries as some don’t support the Ultra Wideband frequency.

How to use Precision Finding to locate an AirTag

Moving on to how you use Precision Finding to locate a lost AirTag, you’ll need to follow these steps on your iPhone 11 or iPhone 12.

1) Open the FindMy app on your iPhone.

2) Tap on Items and select the AirTag you want to locate.

3) Now tap Find. On iPhone 11 and 12, you will see Nearby mentioned under the Find option. If you are too far from the item, your iPhone will instruct you to move around to a different location.

4) Once near the item, the app will show an arrow pointing at the direction of the AirTag once you start moving around. It will also show things such as approximate distance, and tell you if the AirTag is on a different floor.

Precision Finding of AirTag

That’s how you use Precision Finding. As you get closer to the lost AirTag, your iPhone will provide haptic feedback and audio alerts telling that you’re getting close. The UI will automatically exit when you’re very close to the lost AirTag.

Wrapping up

Despite being only available for iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 users, Precision Finding is certainly a faster way to find a lost Apple AirTag. It works better than the standard Bluetooth tracking, and also makes it more fun to find the AirTag. It is highly likely that future Apple products would also feature an U1 Ultra Wideband chip to make tracking easier and more accurate.