AirTags lose location when you update to iOS 17.0.3

Jack_Hammer wrote:

...I started running some tests with my airtags today. So far it seems that if not in "lost mode" their location is never updated unless when under the bluetooth reach of my own devices.

When in "lost mode" and away from my devices their location is then updated as you described in the last paragraph.

Thanks for reporting your "test" findings. Yes, this is what I would have expected, as well.

By the way, the airtag in the car is shared with my wife but even though in her phone's reach (and not mine) and not in "lost mode", its location only updates in her "find my" app, not mine.

In this case, I'm assuming that you followed the instructions in this Apple Support article on how to share your AirTag with someone else. However, in practice and from a number of posts here, they don't always seem to work ... especially, if the setup directions are not followed (IMHO, they are a bit convoluted.)

Again, in theory, her phone would pick up the tag's signal, and if that phone has an active Internet connection (either by Wi-Fi or cellular data) is should relay that to the Apple servers so you would get the location updates. As you can see, it doesn't always work that way.

The only thing, I'm not 100% sure on, is this is due to any of the iOS 17 updates.

Hi Dontcallmedarling,

Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities. It sounds like the AirTag may only be connected to your devices. So when they are out of range, it's not showing a location. Try sharing the AirTag using the following from Share locations with family members and locate their lost devices on iPhone - Apple Support, then test again.

"Ask a family member to share an AirTag with you

If you receive a notification in the Find My app that says AirTag Detected Near You or Unknown AirTag, you can ask the family member who owns it to share the AirTag with you.

1. Tap Ask Owner to Share AirTag.
2. Tap Ask Owner at the bottom of the screen."

Take care.

Hi, Faith185.

So, after upgrading an Apple device to iOS 17 AirTags cannot be found when away from my own Apple devices? How then I am supposed to find them in such situation?

Let’s say I forgot where I parked my car, which on purpose I left an airtag. How am I supposed to find it?

kind regards

Tesserax wrote:

That is, the AirTag transmits a Bluetooth signal every 3-5 mins. Any iPhone, within range during those transmissions, AND having an active Internet connection, can relay the tag's ID plus the phone's GPS location to the Apple servers over that connection. That is where you would see location updates with the Find My app on your phone.

And that's exactly what no longer seems to work under iOS17.3.1. No location-update despite multiple Iphones + BT + Internet nearby. As soon as an iPhone with older iOS (16.xx) is nearby, the update works quickly.

We checked and test it multiple and repeatable. And everbody can test it

When your iPhone is outside of the AirTag you paired it with, it will only "see" the last known location of the tag. Assuming that your car, in your example, is not moved since you parked it. That is because the tag relies on both Bluetooth AND the Apple Find My Network to get its location updated.

That is, the AirTag transmits a Bluetooth signal every 3-5 mins. Any iPhone, within range during those transmissions, AND having an active Internet connection, can relay the tag's ID plus the phone's GPS location to the Apple servers over that connection. That is where you would see location updates with the Find My app on your phone.

Thank you. I started running some tests with my airtags today. So far it seems that if not in "lost mode" their location is never updated unless when under the bluetooth reach of my own devices.

When in "lost mode" and away from my devices their location is then updated as you described in the last paragraph.

By the way, the airtag in the car is shared with my wife but even though in her phone's reach (and not mine) and not in "lost mode", its location only updates in her "find my" app, not mine.