With the release of iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a new feature for the iPhone that makes it easier to find lost luggage. Users can now not only track the location of their suitcases and bags equipped with an AirTag themselves, but also temporarily share it with airline employees. This development is intended to improve cooperation between passengers and airlines when luggage is lost or delayed.
Lost luggage is one of the biggest annoyances when traveling. While AirTags already make it possible to track the location of luggage yourself, there has been no easy way to share this information with airport staff. This is exactly where the new iPhone feature comes in. By sharing the location of an AirTag-tracked piece of luggage, airline employees can see the last known location of the lost suitcase and thus search for it more specifically. This should speed up the baggage tracing process and ensure less frustration for travelers.
How does the new iPhone baggage tracking work?
With iOS 18.2, the Find My app has been enhanced with the ability to temporarily share the location of an AirTag-tracked piece of luggage with others. This feature is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users with the latest operating system versions (iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 or later). The process is simple:
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone or other Apple device.
- Select the corresponding AirTag-paired object (e.g. a suitcase).
- Select the Share Object Location option.
- Generate a unique link and share it with airline employees.
Airline employees can then see the location of the baggage via a web view. The page is automatically updated with the last known location of the AirTag. This allows airport staff to search specifically for the lost baggage and provide passengers with feedback more quickly.
Which airlines already support the function?
Some airlines already have the function taken over, more are to follow. New added These airlines are:
- Virgin Atlantic
- Lufthansa
- SWISS
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Eurowings
These airlines join a number of other airlines that have already implemented the feature introduced including:
- delta
- United
- Air Canada
- Air New Zealand
Apple continues to work with airlines to expand implementation, with more airlines expected to support this feature in the coming months.
security and data protection
Apple emphasizes that the new feature was developed with strict data protection guidelines in mind. To prevent unauthorized access to location data, the following protective measures apply:
- The location link can only be viewed by a limited number of people.
- Airline employees must authenticate by logging in with an Apple account or partner email address.
- The location is not released permanently. The release ends automatically as soon as the owner has taken possession of his luggage again or at the latest after seven days.
These measures are intended to ensure that location information is not misused and that data protection is maintained.
iPhone: When was the feature introduced and what happens next?
iOS 18.2 was released in December and brought this new feature for the first time. Apple has announced that more airlines will follow in the coming months. The collaboration with airlines is ongoing to increase acceptance and further improve customer service for travelers. If you fly often and are worried about your luggage, you should consider putting an AirTag in your suitcase. The new feature will make it even easier to quickly find lost luggage. (Image: Apple)
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