Apple has introduced a new feature called Share Item Location in iOS, designed to help users recover lost items by sharing the location of an AirTag or Find My-compatible accessory with third parties like airlines.
Share Item Location in iOS
The Find My network prioritizes privacy and safety, with shared locations automatically deactivating when users reclaim their items. Owners can also stop sharing at any time, and the link will expire after seven days.
To share an item’s location, users create a Share Item Location link in the Find My app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Recipients of this link can access a website showing the item’s location on an interactive map, which updates in real-time with a timestamp of the most recent location.
Airline Partnerships and Expansions
In the coming months, more than 15 airlines—including major carriers like Air Canada, British Airways, Delta, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines—will start integrating Share Item Location into their customer service processes to help locate delayed or misplaced baggage.
Apple plans to add more airlines over time, working closely with partners to ensure a secure and private integration, utilizing the Apple devices many airlines already have in operation. Only a limited number of authenticated staff will be granted access to view these shared links through Apple Accounts or verified emails.
Additionally, SITA (a leader in air travel tech) will incorporate Share Item Location into its WorldTracer system, used globally by over 500 airlines and ground handlers across 2,800 airports. According to Nicole Hogg, SITA’s Director of Baggage, this collaboration will enhance baggage-tracking efficiency and help airlines handle increasing global passenger traffic with more effective tools.
Privacy and Security
Built on Apple’s Find My network, Share Item Location uses a crowdsourced network of over one billion devices, allowing Bluetooth-enabled Apple devices to detect and report a lost item’s approximate location. The feature ensures complete end-to-end encryption and anonymity, so only the owner can access location data.
Availability
Currently, Share Item Location is available globally as part of the iOS 18.2 public beta and will soon launch as a free update for iPhone Xs and later.
Speaking about the feature, Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, said,
Find My is an essential tool for users worldwide to keep track of and locate their belongings. The Find My network and AirTag have become a powerful combination for travelers, offering crucial location information when bags go missing or are mishandled. With Share Item Location, we’re thrilled to offer users an easy way to share this information directly with third parties, like airlines, while ensuring their privacy remains protected.