Apple is introducing a new feature in the iOS 18.2 update to help travelers more easily locate lost luggage. Here are the details…
Launched by Apple to assist users in tracking their belongings, AirTag continues to gain new features. Now, the AirTag Location Sharing Feature discovered in the iOS 18.2 Beta has been officially announced by Apple. This new capability will work in coordination with multiple airlines, including Turkish Airlines.
According to Apple, the AirTag Location Sharing Feature allows users to share the AirTag’s location with a trusted person and airlines. Integrated with the customer service systems of each airline, this feature will simplify locating misdirected or delayed luggage.
How does the new feature work? Users with iOS 18.2 or macOS Sequoia 15.2 on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac can create a "Share Item Location" link in the "Find My" app. Those with the shared link will have access to a website that shows the location of the item on a map. This webpage will automatically update to reflect the item’s most recent known location.
Apple states that 15+ airlines will support this feature “in the coming months,” with plans to expand to more airlines in the future. Besides Turkish Airlines, the new feature will also be supported by airlines such as SWISS, Iberia, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, Aer Lingus, Austrian Airlines, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Lufthansa, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air Canada, United, and Delta.
Apple also notes that they are collaborating with airlines to address privacy and security concerns regarding the feature. Each link will be accessible to only a select few, and users will need to authenticate to view it. Shared locations will automatically expire after 7 days. The new feature will be available in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 by December.