Apple AirTag with iOS 18.2: Object location can be shared with third parties such as airlines 13 comments
Image: Apple
Apple is expanding Find My in iOS 18.2 to include functionality to share the location of an AirTag or other Find My network accessory with third parties. This will primarily benefit travelers who wish to report lost baggage with an AirTag to the relevant airline.
The object location sharing feature is available immediately with the release of the first public beta of iOS 18.2 for iPhone Xs and later. Developers (and other interested parties) can install iOS 18.2 Beta 3 on their smartphones since last night.
Location sharing expires automatically
After installing the update, a “Share item location” link can be created in the “Where is it?” box. app, which can be transmitted to third parties so that they can also track the object. Location sharing is deactivated as soon as the object is found; sharing can be stopped at any time and automatically expires after seven days. The recipient of the link can track the item’s location on a website with an interactive map, similar to the one displayed in the Find My app. The site automatically updates when a new location becomes available and displays a timestamp of the last update.
Share location link with airline
The new function can be useful, among other things, if several people need to be able to follow the same object. This could be the case between family and friends as the announcement approaches. Apple but especially the airlines at the center of attention. Users should be able to notify the airline of the AirTag’s location via the generated link, so that lost luggage can be found more easily.
Share object location (Image: Apple) Image 1 of 5
These airlines are here
More than 15 airlines are expected to support this feature in the coming months. These include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines , Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. More airlines will be added over time. The system is expected to be introduced at Delta and IAG this year and at United in early 2025.
As part of their customer service, airlines should be able to receive “Find My?” locations. items to locate mishandled or delayed bags. Apple I have worked directly with airlines to set up systems to do “object location sharing” securely, including the many Apple-based devices that many airlines use Already. Access to the shared link should be limited to a small number of people, and the recipient must authenticate to access the link through their own Apple account or airline email address.
Sharing the location of objects comes to WorldTracer
Support for this feature is also available from SITA, which plans to integrate support into WorldTracer, the baggage tracking system used by more than 500 airlines and ground handlers at more than 2,800 airports.
Topics: Apple
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