Misplaced luggage? Apple’s new feature lets you update airlines on its whereabouts.
Apple AirTags could soon become a vital asset for travelers.
With the latest iOS update, Apple announced enhancements to the “Find My” feature, allowing users to share the location of their belongings with others and soon with third-party services. This means that travelers will soon be able to send their luggage location details directly to airlines if their bags are connected to an Apple device.
“Find My is a crucial resource for users globally to monitor and locate their items,” stated Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services. “The Find My network combined with AirTag has become extremely useful for users while traveling, offering critical location information when luggage gets lost or mishandled. With the Share Item Location feature, we’re thrilled to provide users with a new, simple way to share this information directly with airlines while ensuring their privacy is protected.”
The new Share Item Location feature is currently available to users as part of the recent iOS beta version and is expected to roll out soon to most newer iPhone models.
In the upcoming months, over 15 airlines, including Delta and United, will have access to shared item locations.
The Department of Transportation recently confirmed new refund regulations requiring airlines to reimburse checked baggage fees for lost or delayed luggage. This new Find My feature could help airlines reduce the number of refunds they need to issue and ensure passengers can recover their belongings more swiftly if issues arise.