Apple is continually pushing the boundaries of innovation, and its latest feature update for the Find My app is no exception. Soon, users will be able to share the location of lost or missing items, such as an iPhone, MacBook, or something with an AirTag attached, with people who are not in their contacts using a link.
A New Era of Item Tracking
This feature is currently being tested on the iOS 18.2 public beta and was first introduced with the 18.2 developer beta earlier this month. According to Apple, the purpose of this update is to help users locate their lost items by sharing their location with third-party individuals, such as a taxi driver or airline employee.
Collaboration with Airlines
In the coming months, nearly 20 airlines will start accepting Find My item location links as part of their customer services for lost luggage. These airlines 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
- Vueling
Authentication and Security
Airline staff will need to authenticate access through their Apple account or partner email address. This ensures that only authorized personnel can access the item’s location.
The ‘Share Item Location’ Feature
The Find My app will feature a new "Share Item Location" option, which generates a shareable link to the location of the missing item. People can open this link on any device (including non-Apple devices) to try and track it. The link automatically expires after a week or when the item is back with you.
Enhanced Security Features
There’s also a "Share Contact Info" option that lets anyone connect with an item and open a website, which will show your phone number and email – if you’ve added those details to the item’s contact page. This feature appears to be designed to help the person who finds the item contact you.
Eddie Cue’s Statement
"The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while traveling, providing invaluable location information when bags have been misplaced or mishandled. With Share Item Location, we’re excited to give users a new way to easily share this information directly with third parties like airlines, all while protecting their privacy," said Eddie Cue, Apple’s SVP of services.
Key Statistics
Find My already allows you to share an item’s location with people in your contacts. The update also lets users view statistics such as how many times the link has been visited.
What This Means for Users
This feature update is a significant step forward in Apple’s efforts to make finding lost items easier and more convenient. By allowing users to share their item’s location with third parties, Apple is providing an additional layer of security and peace of mind for its customers.
Conclusion
Apple’s commitment to innovation is evident in this latest update to the Find My app. The ability to share lost item locations with people who are not in your contacts using a link is a game-changer for users. With the added feature of authentication through Apple accounts or partner email addresses, airline staff will be able to access the item’s location securely.
What do you think about this new feature? Do you have any questions or concerns?
Please leave a comment below with your thoughts!
