Being out and about, whether at the beach or on a sports field, and losing a personal item can be frustrating and stressful. Misplacing car keys can be particularly panic-inducing, especially when pressed for time. Losing small items is bad enough, but losing an entire car would be incredibly inconvenient. This is where AirTag, a product from a popular brand that specialises in personal electronic items, can be helpful. Many people already own AirTag and may be wondering if it can be used to track a stolen car in the unfortunate event of theft.
What Is AirTag?
It’s a small Bluetooth-enabled, battery operated device about the size of a largish coin. Attach one to a keyring or place one in a handbag or wallet and its whereabouts can be tracked using an iPhone app to which the AirTag is registered. It’s a great and very inexpensive idea, especially for folk who regularly lose personal bits and pieces. Well, a car is a pretty expensive personal item and one that we can ill afford to lose, especially when car theft is such big business.
Can I Use AirTag To Track My Car?
Well, in theory and practice, yes, you can. There are however some rather important caveats to using one as a car tracker. Keyless car theft is a major problem these days and car criminals use very sophisticated technology to make light work of locks and security on cars, even from your own driveway.
Lost Mode
Conceal an AirTag inside the car, perhaps under a seat, and it will send its location to your phone through the iPhone AirTag app. However, the device has limited range and a stolen car can quickly be far away. In such cases, activating ‘Lost’ mode on the owner’s device will attempt to connect with nearby iPhones to relay the signal, but not all phones are compatible with this feature.
This means that if the thief does not have an iPhone, the AirTag in the car may only sporadically transmit its location. Additionally, thieves are becoming familiar with this technology and may easily locate and remove the AirTag. Similar devices for Android phones are now available, but face the same
The Stalker
An early concern was that AirTags could be used to stalk an individual or indeed locate a car. A tag could be placed into another’s bag, pocket or vehicle and that person’s location would be known to a criminal. This loophole was to an extent covered by a fix that notified the target person if an illicit nomad AirTag was in constant proximity. Eventually the tag will sound an alarm. The problem is that this won’t happen for between 24 and 72 hours and in that time your beloved motor could be long gone.
Real Time Car Trackers Are The Answer
The main issue with using a Bluetooth AirTag as a car tracker is its lack of consistency. If the stolen vehicle is not within range of an iPhone, the signal is lost and the location is not continuously updated. This is not a problem with professionally installed GPS car trackers.
A UK police force recently found AirTags in abandoned stolen luxury cars, indicating that car thieves are aware of these devices. This suggests that stronger security measures need to be
How GPS Car Trackers Work
Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers, discreetly installed in vehicles, enable owners to monitor and track their cars in real time. These devices provide immediate speed and location information, aiding in the swift recovery of stolen vehicles by law enforcement. Thousands of vehicles are successfully recovered each year thanks to this
But Aren’t They Expensive?
The truth is, products like AirTags are actually quite affordable. The saying “you get what you pay for” still holds true, but in this case, you get a lot for what you pay.
While GPS vehicle trackers may have a higher price tag, there are options available to fit different budgets. And the investment may pay off in the long run, as some car insurance providers may offer discounts for using such devices. Some trackers can be purchased outright, while others offer subscription plans.
WeTrak Trackers start from a very low price of £7.99/m.
Get A Real Car Tracker
Car theft is now a global industry and as fast as car makers update security in their products so the crooks keep pace. The AirTag is undoubtedly a product that helps in many ways with lost small items, but for cars? It’s not the best or most reliable way. That’s why the importance of a GPS car tracker for both mainstream and premium vehicles is pretty much a must-have addition to your car.
