Apple‘s AirTag has quietly become a must-have gadget for many. Originally skeptical, I found myself integrating AirTags throughout my home, realizing their potential far beyond simple curiosities.
AirTags are incredibly handy, especially when traveling. The peace of mind knowing the exact location of checked luggage at an airport is invaluable. However, a lesser-known fact is the ability of AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) to double as an AirTag, provided you’re running iOS 16 or later on your iPhone. This feature is exclusive to the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen, leveraging built-in hardware for precise location tracking.
Imagine misplacing your AirPods Pro; the Find My app not only locates them within your home but also utilizes nearby iPhones to pinpoint their location, mirroring AirTag functionality. This feature is especially useful for travelers. By placing an AirPod in a suitcase, you can track its journey and arrival, effectively turning your AirPods Pro into dual-purpose devices: premium sound quality and a tracking solution.
However, this innovative use comes with caveats. Firstly, AirPods Pro are significantly more expensive than a standard AirTag, making their loss a costly mishap. Secondly, while AirTags boast over a year of battery life, AirPods Pro, when used outside their charging case for tracking purposes, have a much shorter battery lifespan. This limitation makes them less suitable for prolonged tracking tasks, such as vehicle location over an extended period.
Despite these limitations, using AirPods Pro as an emergency locator can be invaluable. With the right model, you can conduct a test by hiding an AirPod and using the Find My app to locate it. This functionality works regardless of distance, as long as another iPhone is within range to detect it.
This dual functionality of AirPods Pro may not be widely known, but it extends their utility beyond just audio enjoyment. Whether you’ve previously used the search feature out of necessity or are just discovering its potential, the ability to use your AirPods Pro as a makeshift AirTag is an added bonus that could prove useful in unexpected situations.