Lost luggage? The Find My app’s new feature makes it easy to recover them🧳

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Apple has introduced a new feature for the Find My app in the iOS 18.2 beta version. Users can now share the location of their items, such as an AirTag or a Find My network accessory, with third parties like airlines. This option could simplify the recovery of misplaced or misrouted luggage while maintaining user privacy.

An innovative solution to track your belongings🧳

The « Share Item Location » feature enables users to locate lost items more easily. By generating a secure link within the « Find My » app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac, users can share their AirTag’s location. This link directs recipients to an interactive map updated in real-time, complete with a timestamp showing the last known position.

Source : Apple

Source : Apple

Source : Apple

Apple emphasizes user privacy and security. Location sharing can be disabled at any time by the item owner and automatically expires after seven days. Once the item is recovered, the feature is immediately deactivated.

Partner airlines for enhanced service ✈️

Starting late 2024, over 15 airlines will begin accepting Find My location-sharing links to improve their customer service. These include:

• Aer Lingus,
• Air Canada,
• Air New Zealand,
• Austrian Airlines,
• British Airways,
• Brussels Airlines,
• Delta Air Lines,
• Iberia,
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines,
• Lufthansa,
• Qantas,
• Singapore Airlines,
• Swiss International Air Lines,
• Turkish Airlines,
• United, Virgin Atlantic, et
• Vueling

This allows passengers traveling with an AirTag in their luggage to help airlines quickly locate lost or misrouted bags. These airlines have worked directly with Apple to integrate this new feature into their baggage management processes, ensuring a private and secure implementation of location sharing.

Real-Time information for efficient recovery 🌍

Integrating the « Share Item Location » feature with systems like WorldTracer—used by over 500 airlines—will further streamline baggage management across more than 2,800 airports worldwide. In the event of luggage delays or losses, users can share their AirTag’s location details directly with airline staff, enabling quicker recovery of lost items.

Airlines such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have praised this initiative, noting that it will provide travelers with greater peace of mind while enhancing the responsiveness of baggage-handling teams.

A secure and private technology 🔒

Using the Find My network, the « Share Item Location » feature is fully secure. All location data is end-to-end encrypted and anonymized, ensuring that only the item owner and authorized recipients can view the item’s position.

With this expansion of its Find My network, which relies on over one billion devices worldwide, Apple offers a safer and more convenient solution for travelers eager to quickly recover their lost belongings while preserving their privacy.

What’s your take ???
Are you ready to use this new feature to locate your lost luggage? Share your thoughts in the comments!