Have you ever lost your luggage on a flight? Apple’s latest iOS update is here to ease that worry. With its new Share Item Location feature, Apple now lets you share the real-time location of your lost or misplaced items directly with third parties, including airlines. This feature works with devices that support Apple’s Find My app, including AirTags, making it simpler than ever to reclaim your belongings.
A Closer Look at How It Works
The Share Item Location feature makes sharing the location of lost items both simple and secure. Here’s what you need to know:
- Open Find My: Start by opening the Find My app and selecting the lost item.
- Generate a Share Link: Tap to create a Share Item Location link for that specific item.
- Send It to the Airline: Share the link with the airline or another third party to show them exactly where the item is located. When they open the link, they’ll see an interactive map that updates in real time as the item moves.
Whether it’s a suitcase that went missing in transit or a personal item left behind, this new feature puts location-sharing power in your hands.
Built with Travelers in Mind
Apple’s Senior VP of Services, Eddy Cue, shared that “the Find My network and AirTags have proven invaluable for travelers.” With Share Item Location, Apple aims to help travelers recover lost items with more ease by allowing them to provide detailed location data to airlines and other third parties—all while keeping privacy a priority.
The feature is available in the iOS 18.2 beta, with broader availability expected soon.
Which Airlines Are on Board?
Apple has already partnered with over 15 major airlines who will soon accept Find My item location links as part of their customer support. Here’s the current list:
- Aer Lingus
- British Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
…and many more. Expect additional airlines to join the program in the coming months.
Privacy and Security First
Apple has emphasized that the entire process is end-to-end encrypted and anonymous. This means that only those with access to the unique link can view the item’s location. Once the item is recovered, the shared link is automatically disabled, so there’s no lingering access to the location data.
More Than Just Tech – Peace of Mind for Travelers
The Share Item Location feature adds a new layer of peace of mind for Apple users who travel. With this update, locating and recovering misplaced items becomes a smoother, more secure process that can fit seamlessly into airlines’ customer service.
If you’re already using AirTags for travel, this new update is here to make your experience even better.