How to put a missing AirTag into Lost Mode

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How to enable Lost Mode for AirTag
Putting an AirTag into Lost Mode means others know how to contact you if they find it.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

AirTag’s diminutive size and lack of ability to attach to anything out of the box means that it’s ironically easy to lose. Locating one that goes missing shouldn’t be too difficult, but if yours is proving hard to find, you might want to put it into Lost Mode.

If your AirTag is found by someone else, it will be possible for them to contact you and return your device — and anything it might be attached to — if it’s in Lost Mode. We’ll show you how to use it.

AirTag’s rather impressive ability to be located, no matter how far away it is from your iPhone or iPad, is its primary selling point. That’s what makes it a great item tracker. But there may come a time when yours disappears and cannot be located for some reason.

Rather than just accepting your AirTag and any precious belongings it was attached to are gone for good, you can put it into Lost Mode and you may just be reunited with it by a helpful stranger.

How to put an AirTag into Lost Mode

To put an AirTag into Lost Mode, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Items, then select the AirTag that’s missing.
  3. Under Lost Mode, tap Enable.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions and enter your phone number when prompted. Choose whether you want to receive a notification when updated location is available for your AirTag.
  5. Tap Activate.

Now, if someone finds your AirTag, they’ll be able to scan it using an iPhone or Android device, and then see the contact details you’ve provided. They can then get in touch to return your missing tracker.

If you don’t put your AirTag into Lost Mode, then others won’t be able to see who owns it, or any contact information, when the device is scanned. Apple’s strict approach to privacy means it won’t give up that information unless you have explicitly allowed it.

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